Baywatch is remembered as one of the most iconic and widely watched television series of all time. During its 11-season run from 1989 to 2001, the show became a global sensation, drawing billions of viewers each season. The show not only made waves with its stunning California’s lifeguards running in slow-motion but it also gifted us many celebrities who became a household name.
However, as time passed, several beloved stars of Baywatch have sadly passed away. Pamela Bach, who was a prominent figure in the series, passed away on Wednesday. Here’s a look back at 10 Baywatch stars who are no longer with us, including Bach.
1. Pamela Bach
Pamela Bach, known for her various roles on Baywatch, and her marriage to the show’s lead, David Hasselhoff, passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. TMZ reported that the star died by suicide at her residence in Los Angeles, California. Later, the county medical examiner confirmed the cause of death was suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.
David Hasselhoff wrote in a statement on X, requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Our family is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Pamela Hasselhoff. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult period but kindly request privacy as we grieve and navigate through this challenging time.
— David Hasselhoff (@DavidHasselhoff) March 6, 2025
The couple met in the mid-80s during Bach’s guest appearance on Nightrider. They got married in 1989 and had two daughters. However, they divorced in 2006, citing irreconcilable differences. Bach was 62, is survived by her ex-husband and their daughters.
2. Richard Jaeckel
Richard Jaeckel was best known for his role as Lt. Ben Edwards on the television series Baywatch, where he was a prominent cast member from season 2 to season 4. He also played Al Gibson in the Baywatch pilot. Jaeckel was a respected character actor and received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film Sometimes a Great Notion. He passed away from cancer at the age of 70 in 1997.
3. Michael Newman
Michael Newman played the lifeguard “Newmie” on the series Baywatch. He was the only member of the hit series who was a trained lifeguard in real life. Newman was also a full-time firefighter. The actor died in 2024, 18 years after the diagnosis of his Parkinson’s disease. His close friend and the director of the Hulu docuseries, After Bayatch: Moment in the Sun, Matthew Felker confirmed the news.
4. Julie Strain
Julie Strain, best known for her role as the protagonist in Heavy Metal 2000, briefly appeared in Baywatch. She was a windsurfer in the episode Red Wind in Baywatch Hawaii. The actor died on January 10, 2021, at the age of 58.
5. Tom Villard
Tom Villard, the lead actor of the 1980s series We Got It Made appeared in the Baywatch series as Howie in the episode Reunion. The actor died of AIDS-related pneumonia, five days shy of his 41st birthday on November 14, 1994.
6. Richard Moll
Richard Moll appeared in the episode Home is Where the Heat Is of the popular series as the Trapper. He was best known for his role as Bull, a Bailiff on the NBC sitcom Night Court. The actor died at the age of 80, kn October 2023, at his home in Big Bear Lake.
7. Scott Plank
Scott Plank portrayed the character Samuel “Sam” Parks in four episodes of the series from 2000 to 2001. Tragically, he died in a car accident on October 24, 2002, sustaining severe injuries and passing away three days later. He was 43 years old at the time of his death.
8. Marcia Strassman
Marcia Strassman, a well-known actress and singer, was also a Baywatch cast. She played in TV shows like M*A*S*H, Welcome Back, and in the movie Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Strassman appeared in one episode, Out of the Blue of Baywatch as Rena Jaffe. She suffered from breast cancer and passed away at her home on October 24, 2014, at 66.
9. Edward Mulhare
Edward Mulhare was an Irish actor best known for TV appearances in The Ghost & Mrs. Muir and Knight Rider. He appeared in one episode, the Frozen Out of Time of the spin-off series Baywatch Nights. The actor died of lung cancer on May 24, 1997, at the age of 74.
10. Pat Morita
Pat Morita, a popular actor and comedian, was best known for his role in the sitcom Happy Days and as the martial arts mentor Mr. Miyagi in the movie The Karate Kid. The actor also appeared in the spin-off Baywatch: Hawaii. He played Hideki Tanaka, a recurring role as the father of Kekoa Tanaka. Morita passed away due to kidney failure following a urinary tract and gallbladder bacterial infection on November 24, 2005.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
