Mike Henson (actor)
Mike Henson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kenneth John Seymour October 4, 1963 Salinas, California, U.S. |
| Died | September 6, 2002 (aged 38) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Resting place | Sacramento |
| Other names | Michael Henson Mike Hanson Kenny Seymour |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1986–2000 |
| Agent | Falcon Studios |
Mike Henson (born Kenneth John Seymour; October 4, 1963 – September 6, 2002) was an American adult film actor and model who rose to prominence during the "Golden Age" of gay adult cinema in the late 1980s and 1990s.[1] He was best known for his clean-cut, boyish looks and his dramatic physical transformation, which established him as a premier star of the era.[2][3]
Early life and education
Born in Salinas, California, Henson served in the United States Army before settling in Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.[4]
Henson initially answered an advertisement by producer John Summers for Falcon Studios but was rejected for being "too skinny".[4] Henson reportedly told Summers he would work on his body and returned six months later with a significantly more muscular physique.[4] Impressed by the rapid transformation, Summers hired him immediately.[4]
Following his initial retirement in 1991, Henson focused on his health after being diagnosed as HIV-positive.[4] Henson attended the UCLA School of Computer Sciences, graduating in 1994.[4] He subsequently worked in the technology sector, managing computer operations for various businesses.[4]
Career
Henson began his career through David Forest's Brad's Buddies service.[4] He debuted in the 1986 film Two Handfuls; his final scene in that film with Brian Maxon is considered one of the best and most iconic moments in the history of the industry.[4] He quickly became a top-tier performer, often noted for his youthful good looks and athletic body.[4]
In 1987, Henson won the Best Actor award from the X-Rated Critics Organization (XRCO) for his role in the William Higgins classic Big Guns.[5] In 1990, he co-starred with Joey Stefano in More of a Man: The Safe Sex Video, the first gay adult video to emphasize condom use.[4] Stefano, known for his vast industry knowledge, reportedly specifically requested Henson as his co-star.[6] Throughout his peak years, Henson was a fixture in the nightlife scenes of both Los Angeles and San Francisco.[4][7]
Departure and intermittent returns
Henson first departed the industry in 1991 due to drug addiction, an HIV-positive diagnosis, and a desire to pursue higher education.[4] However, he made intermittent returns over the following five years, appearing in titles such as Score 10 and Powertool 2: Breaking Out.[4] While his physique remained in peak condition during these later appearances, his drug use had taken a visible toll on his youthful looks.[8][4] This change led some fans to reject his return, as he no longer possessed the specific "boyish" charm that defined his early stardom.[9] While his physique remained in good shape, his long-term drug use had taken a visible toll on his youthful looks, which had been the hallmark of his early appeal.[10]
Personal life
Henson was in a long-term relationship with a former Army buddy named Dennis.[4] He eventually settled with his partner in Pennsylvania.[11]
Death
Henson died on September 6, 2002, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 38.[12] His boyfriend, Dennis, discovered his body upon returning from work. The cause of death was an accidental heroin overdose.[13] His brother, Bobby Seymour, stated that the family had his body flown back to Sacramento, where he was laid to rest in the Roseville Public Cemetery District.[13]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Powertool | New Hook-Up | Debut |
| 1986 | Two Handfuls | Theatre Patron / Bodybuilder's Buddy | |
| 1986 | Screen Test | Michael | |
| 1987 | In Hot Pursuit | Wet Friend | [14] |
| 1987 | Hot Rods: Young and Hung 2 | Flirty Boy | |
| 1987 | The Best of Jeff Stryker | Mike | |
| 1987 | Big Guns | Navy Lieutenant | [15] |
| 1987 | Safer Sex: The Time is Now | Mike | |
| 1987 | Bad Boys Club | John's friend | [16] |
| 1988 | My Best Buddy: Top of the Pack | Friend | |
| 1988 | Briefs: The Best of John Summers | Mike | |
| 1988 | Big Bad Boys: Stroke 27 | Mike | |
| 1988 | Full Load: Maximum Oversize | Ryder | |
| 1988 | Lesson Well Learned | Handsome Boy | |
| 1988 | My Best Buddy | Mark's Motorcycle Riding Friend | |
| 1988 | Bulge: Mass Appeal | Mike | |
| 1989 | The Best of John Davenport | Micheal | |
| 1989 | Big and Thick | Mike | |
| 1990 | More of a Man | Duffy | [17][18] |
| 1990 | Glory Hole of Fame | Mikey | |
| 1990 | The Best of Kevin Williams | Mike | |
| 1990 | The Best of Mike Henson | Mike | |
| 1990 | Sailor in the Wild 2 | Surfer | |
| 1991 | Catalina Classics | Mike | |
| 1991 | Score 10 | Douglas | [19] |
| 1992 | Catalina Preview Tape 5 | Mike | |
| 1992 | Powertool 2: Breaking Out | The Hookup in Truck | [20] |
| 1994 | Anal Hall of Fame | Mike | |
| 1994 | The Best of Lex Baldwin | Mike | |
| 1997 | Military Men | Mike | |
| 1997 | Hung Heroes 2 | Jeff | |
| 2001 | Sex in the Can | Mike | |
| 2002 | Pre-Condom Mania | Mike | |
| 2002 | Jacked Up | Mike | |
| 2003 | Wild Young Fuckers | Mike | Posthumous release |
| 2003 | Young Cum Pumpers | Micheal | Posthumous release |
| 2011 | Bed Head | Micheal | Posthumous release |
Awards and nominations
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-Rated Critics Organization | 1987 | Best Actor | Big Guns | Won | [21] |
References
- ^ Skinflicks Vol. 9 No. 2. Magcorp Publishing Company Inc. 1989. p. 65.
- ^ Obsessions Vol. 1 No. 3. GT Publications. 1988. p. 50.
- ^ Idol Worship: A Shameless Celebration of Male Beauty in the Movies. STARbooks Press. 2003. p. 300.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Manshots Vol. 3 No. 6. FirstHand Ltd. 1991. p. 58.
- ^ Translations/Transformations: Gender and Culture in Film and Literature, East and West : Selected Conference Papers. College of Languages, Linguistics, and Literature, University of Hawaii. 1993. p. 64.
- ^ Just Men Vol. 5 No. 5. Hudson Communications Inc. 1988. p. 21.
- ^ The Advocate: The National Gay & Lesbian Newsmagazine Issues 549-553. Northwestern University. 1990. p. 4.
- ^ Jock Vol. 2 No. 7. 1986. p. 1.
- ^ "State of the Art: Hard Times in the Gay Video Industry Today" Manshots Vol. 2 No. 8. FirstHand Ltd. 1990. p. 28.
- ^ Manshots Vol. 11 No. 5. FirstHand Ltd. 1999. p. 52.
- ^ "RIP: Porn Star Mike Henson (1963 - 2002)". Kenneth in the 212. September 20, 2007.
- ^ A Sprinkling of Stardust Over the Outhouse: Musings, Memories, Madness and Pillow Talk!. Page Publishing, Incorporated. 2022. p. 324.
- ^ a b "Kenneth Seymour". www.weremeber.com. January 8, 2026.
- ^ Bigger Than Life: The History of Gay Porn Cinema from Beefcake to Hardcore. Jeffrey Escoffier. 2010. p. 234.
- ^ Strategies of Deviance: Studies in Gay Male Representation. Indiana University Press. 1995. p. 133.
- ^ First Hand. University of Michigan. 1988. p. 80.
- ^ The Advocate Issues 572-575. Liberation Publications. 1991. p. 26.
- ^ "Classic porn for Pride". Xtra Magazine. February 20, 2026.
- ^ My Studio Is a Dungeon Is the Studio: Writings and Interviews, 1983–2024. Duke University Press. 2025. p. 56.
- ^ Queers in American Popular Culture. ABC-CLIO. 2010. p. 262.
- ^ "XRCO award winners". XRCO. Archived from the original on October 7, 2007.
External links
- Mike Henson at IMDb