Every Notable ‘Baywatch’ Actor Who Died

‘Baywatch’ brought a huge roster of regulars and guest stars to beaches from Los Angeles to Hawaii, and over the years the show’s extended family has said goodbye to a number of familiar faces. Below is a helpful roundup of notable actors from the franchise who have passed away, along with the roles they played and key details fans often look for when revisiting the series.

Richard Jaeckel

Richard Jaeckel played veteran lifeguard Ben Edwards, a steady mentor figure who guided younger guards in several seasons of the show. He first appeared in the pilot and returned as Ben in the early 1990s, including storylines that looked back on his rookie days. Jaeckel died in June 1997 at age 70. He had a long career in film and television, and his ‘Baywatch’ work remains one of his best known late roles.

Michael Newman

Michael Newman portrayed Mike “Newmie” Newman, a role drawn from his real life experience as a Los Angeles County lifeguard. He appeared across many seasons handling rescues, competitions, and training segments that added authenticity to the series. Newman died in October 2024 at age 68 after living for years with Parkinson’s disease. His contributions helped shape the show’s water safety sequences.

Pamela Bach

Pamela Bach appeared as Kaye Morgan, a restaurant owner and friend to the team who recurred during multiple seasons in the 1990s. Her character often intersected with community events and subplot arcs that brought the lifeguards together off duty. Bach died in March 2025 at age 62. She also worked on other television projects and was closely associated with the franchise through public appearances.

Floyd Levine

Floyd Levine made a guest appearance in the special ‘Baywatch: White Thunder at Glacier Bay’ during the series’ late run. He was a prolific character actor whose career spanned decades in television and film. Levine died in August 2025 at age 93. His long list of credits included roles in crime dramas and comedies alongside his stop in the ‘Baywatch’ universe.

Richard Moll

Richard Moll guested in the episode ‘Home Is Where the Heat Is’ and was widely recognized for his towering screen presence. His career covered sitcoms, genre shows, and voice work across animated projects. Moll died in October 2023 at age 80. His appearance added a memorable one-off character to the show’s lineup of beachside stories.

Pat Morita

Pat Morita appeared in ‘Baywatch Hawaii’ during the franchise’s final years. He was already well known from film and television and brought that familiar warmth to his guest role. Morita died in November 2005 at age 73. His episode remains a point of interest for fans exploring the Hawaii seasons.

Scott Plank

Scott Plank played Sam Parks in four episodes during the series’ last season. His character crossed paths with the guards in storylines involving aviation and high risk stunts. Plank died in October 2002 at age 43 following injuries from a car accident. His late run arc is part of the show’s final-year guest cast history.

Tom Villard

Tom Villard appeared in an early episode of the series and was known for his work across 1980s and early 1990s television. He brought an affable energy to guest roles and sitcoms as well as dramas. Villard died in November 1994 at age 40 from AIDS-related pneumonia. His ‘Baywatch’ credit is often noted in retrospectives of his career.

Marcia Strassman

Marcia Strassman guested in the season eight episode ‘Out of the Blue’ as a key family figure in a character’s backstory. She was widely known for roles in television comedies and family films. Strassman died in October 2014 at age 66 after a battle with breast cancer. Her appearance added emotional depth to the episode’s central plot.

Joe Lara

Joe Lara appeared in the season four episode ‘Tentacles: Part 2’ as Frank Randall. He later led his own adventure series but is remembered by ‘Baywatch’ fans for this guest turn during a dramatic multi-episode arc. Lara died in May 2021 at age 58 in a plane crash. His credit is frequently mentioned among notable guest stars of the era.

Edward Mulhare

Edward Mulhare appeared in the spin-off ‘Baywatch Nights,’ which followed investigations tied to the lifeguard universe. He was a seasoned actor with extensive stage and television work before joining the franchise’s darker offshoot. Mulhare died in May 1997 at age 74 from lung cancer. His role connects the main series to its short-lived companion show.

Lou Rawls

Lou Rawls made a guest appearance on the series, adding star power from the music world to a beach-set story. The show often welcomed well known personalities for cameo style roles that fit its Los Angeles setting. Rawls died in January 2006 at age 72 from cancer. His crossover cameo remains a fun footnote in the show’s guest roster.

Julie Strain

Julie Strain appeared in a ‘Baywatch Hawaii’ episode and was known for action and genre projects throughout the 1990s. Her guest role fit the Hawaii seasons’ mix of adventure and tourism centered plots. Strain died in January 2021 at age 58. Fans exploring the Hawaii years will recognize her from that appearance.

Share your memories of these performers and tell us which ‘Baywatch’ moments you revisit most in the comments.