Mike Henson

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, CA. After a stint in the army he settled in Los Angeles. His clean-cut good looks and natural athletic body soon found him work in David Forest's "Brad's Buddies" service, and soon after followed his debut in gay adult films. One of his first films was 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. Other notable films: William Higgins' Catalina Video classics Big Guns (1987) with Kevin Williams and its sequel Hot Rods: Young & Hung II (1986). Other films included In Hot Pursuit (1987) with Jeff Stryker. In 1990 he appeared with Joey Stefano in Jerry Douglas' More of a Man (1991) featuring Chi Chi LaRue, the first gay adult video to emphasize the use of condoms. It was reported that Stefano, known for his encyclopedic knowledge of those in the industry, specifically requested Henson for his co-star. During 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 a return five years later, in two final films: "Score 10" with Ryan Idol and Powertool 2: Breaking Out (1992) with Talon (as Lex Baldwin). His total output was less than a dozen films, but they of unusually high quality. 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, however, and a comeback attempt in 1998 failed when fans reacted negatively to the toll drug use had taken on his 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 lover. After four years of sobriety, he 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. Henson's was a tragic and senseless end for a beautiful and talented young man.