RIP: Porn Star Mike Henson (1963 - 2002)

An obituary about my former roommate Ken Seymour, who was also a sweet friend:

Oct. 4, 1963 - Sept. 6, 2002

One of the more popular performers in gay adult videos during the late '80s and early '90s, Mike Henson was born Kenneth Seymour in Sacramento (or Salinas, depending on your source). After a stint in the Army, he settled in Los Angeles. His clean-cut good looks and natural athletic body soon found him work with David Forest's Brad's Buddies service, and soon after followed his debut in gay adult films, most notably in "Big Guns" (1987), with Kevin Williams, "In Hot Pursuit" (1987), with Jeff Stryker, and "Two Handfuls" (1986) with Brian Maxon, Steve Wright, and Kevin Wiles. Henson's final scene with Maxon in "Two Handfuls" is considered one of the best in the history of the industry. In 1990 he appeared with Joey Stefano in "More of a Man: The Safe Sex Video," the first gay adult video to emphasize the use of condoms. According to legend Stefano, known for his encyclopedic knowledge of those in the industry, specifically requested Henson for his co-star. Throughout this time, Henson was a frequent sight in bars and clubs in both L.A. and San Francisco, and was readily available and cordial to his fans.

Drug addiction, the discovery that he was HIV positive, and his desire to pursue a degree in computer science led to Henson's departure from adult videos in 1991, though he made intermittent returns over the next five years, most notably in "Score 10" and "Powertool 2," the latter with Lex Baldwin. In 1994 he graduated from the UCLA School of Computer Sciences, and later helped set up computer operations for David Forest's business enterprises. Drug problems continued to plague him, and a comeback attempt in 1998 failed when fans reacted negatively to the toll drug use had taken on Henson's once youthful good looks, though his body remained in remarkably good shape. He eventually settled in Pennsylvania with a former army buddy who was also his longtime lover. After four years of sobriety, the former porn star died from a heroin overdose. Initial reports were that he was with friends and had taken the heroin "to celebrate his long-term sobriety," dying because he had both miscalculated the dosage and had not considered the enhanced toxic effect heroin can have on those who have remained clean for so long. Later reports were that Henson/Seymour's boyfriend had come home from work to find him dead in his bedroom, a Bible in his hand. Whichever scenario is true, Henson's was a tragic and senseless end for a beautiful and talented young man.


Mike Henson's credits include: "Big & Thick" (1984); "Two Handfuls" (1986); "In Hot Pursuit" (1987); "Hot Rods: Young & Hung 2" (1987); "Big Guns" (1987); "My Best Buddy: Top Of The Pack" (1988); "A Lesson Well Learned" (1988); "Full Load: Maximum Oversize" (1988); "Bulge: Mass Appeal" (1988); "Bad Boys Club" (1988); "More Of A Man" (1990); "The Best Of Mike Henson" (1990); "Score 10" (1991); and "Powertool 2: Breaking Out" (1991).