Jon King (actor)

Jon King
Born
John Nelson Gaines

(1963-01-12)January 12, 1963
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
DiedMarch 8, 1995(1995-03-08) (aged 32)
Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.
Other namesJohn King
Nelson Gaines
Occupations
  • Actor
  • model
Years active1980–1995
AgentFalcon Studios

John Nelson Gaines (January 12, 1963 – March 8, 1995), known professionally as Jon King, was a prominent American adult film actor and model.[1] He was one of the most recognizable figures in gay cinema during the 1980s and early 1990s, known for his "boy-next-door" aesthetic and athletic physique.[2]

Early life

Gaines was born in Jacksonville, Florida, to Thomas Ronald Gaines and Katherine Lackey Gaines.[3] He was the youngest son in the family, with an older brother, Thomas R. Gaines Jr., and a younger sister, Angela.[3] His interest in the adult industry began at age 12.[4] As a teenager, he attempted to enter the industry by sending photos to producer Jack Deveau of Hand in Hand Films, though he was initially declined.[5]

In the summer of 1980, at age 17, Gaines moved to Los Angeles with a partner, originally intending only a vacation before returning to school in Florida.[6] However, after his partner secured employment, Gaines remained in California.[5]

Career

Discovery and early success (1981–1982)

Gaines was reportedly discovered by a scout for Catalina Video while working at a car wash in Los Angeles.[7] His professional debut came in 1981 in the film Brothers Should Do It, produced by William Higgins.[8] In his early appearances, he was marketed as the younger brother of established performer James Leonard Waldrop; despite a strong physical resemblance, the two were not related.[9]

His early career included work with directors such as Kristen Bjorn.[10] During this period, he also worked "civilian" jobs, most notably as a waiter at the Zodiac Room in the Beverly Hills Neiman Marcus.[5]

Modeling and Public Image

Jon King became a major fixture in gay photography and print media throughout the 1980s.[11] His appeal was defined by a unique combination of a tight, boyishly muscular body, thick black hair, and deep dark eyes.[12] Critics and fans often cited a sense of youthful innocence and vulnerability in his performances and photos, which made him exceptionally popular across a broad audience.[13]

He modeled for numerous high-profile gay lifestyle and adult magazines, frequently appearing on covers and in multi-page spreads.[14] This modeling work cemented his status as a "superstar," making him a recognizable face even to those who did not follow the adult film industry closely.[15]

In 1982, at the height of his initial popularity, Gaines was involved in a criminal incident in which he stole a Corvette during a test drive and robbed a Burger King in Gainesville, Florida.[16] Following a car wreck, he was apprehended and served 11 months in a Florida prison.[17] He later remarked that spending his 20th birthday behind bars was a sobering experience.[5]

Comeback and peak stardom (1983–1989)

Gaines returned to Los Angeles in 1983, launching a highly successful comeback.[18] He became a staple of 1980s gay media, appearing on numerous magazine covers and in high-profile films such as Kip Noll Superstar (1984).[19] His work during this era was characterized by what critics described as a "youthful innocence" and "sexual energy".[20]

Retirement and culinary pursuits

In 1989, Gaines retired from the industry and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to be near his family and attend culinary school.[21] While he sought a career as a chef, he eventually returned to the adult industry in the early 1990s for a final string of films, including Fade In, Fade Out and Pumping Iron (1995).[22]

Personal life

Gaines was known to be private and he liked the fame but occasionally was uncomfortable with his fame, stating in interviews that he preferred to be seen for himself rather than his "Jon King" persona.[5] After being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, his health declined in the mid-1990s.[5] He moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he was cared for by a close friend.[5] He was close friends with actor Shawn Mayotte.[23]

Death

Gaines died of AIDS-related complications on March 8, 1995, at the age of 32.[24][5] Per his wishes, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered alongside those of his beloved dog, Bucky.[5]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1981 Brothers Should Do It Little Brother Debut
1981 Kip Noll Superstar Beautiful Boy [25]
1982 Bore 'N Stroke Steve Fox Studios
1982 Main Attraction Jon Nova Films
1982 Members Only Jon King [26]
1982 Printer's Devil Mike [27]
1982 These Bases Are Loaded Jon Laguna Pacific
1983 Biker's Liberty: Big Summer Surprise Jogger Falcon Studios
1984 Biggest One I Ever Saw Prostitute [28]
1984 Boys of West Hollywood Boy
1984 Fade In Johnny
1984 Fade Out Johnny
1984 Giants 2 Handsome Lad [29]
1984 Hot Off The Press Dennis La Solon Inc.
1984 Hotel Hell Jon [30]
1984 Screen Play Jimmy [31]
1984 Trick Time Vincent [32]
1985 Flip-Flop Fuckers Jon
1985 Getting It John
1985 Hot Shots 1: All Star Revue Will
1985 Inevitable Love Gym Workout Friend
1985 Wild Oats Jon King
1986 Daddies Peter
1986 Hot Shots 4: The Contest Continues Jon
1986 Star Shots 2: Jon King Jon King
1986 Tyger Tales Waylon
1987 Gotta Have It Miles
1988 Perfect Summer Summer Boy
1990 Best of Jon King Jon King
1991 Bi-guy Jon King
1991 Magnum Griffin Collection 12 Jon King
1992 Boys On Call Logan
1992 Latin Tongues Latino Boy
1993 Assholes and Tongues Jon
1993 Solid Intake Jon King
1993 Wild Country Country Boy Falcon Studios
1994 Forever Hold Your Piece Jon King
1994 These Bases Are Loaded 2 Jenkins Catalina Studios
1995 Pump it Up Jon
1997 Best of Dave Logan Jon King Posthumous released
1997 Hairy Hole Hounds Jon King Posthumous released
1998 Directors' Best William Higgins 2 Jon King Posthumous released
1998 Locker Room Sex Jon King Posthumous released
1999 Catalina Orgies 3 Jon King Posthumous released
2002 Young Men of the 80's 1 Jon King Posthumous released
2003 Pre-Condom Mania Jon King Posthumous released
2003 Young Cum Pumpers Jon King Posthumous released
2004 Old School Man Tools Jon King Posthumous released
2006 Butt Pirates Jon King Posthumous released
2006 I Wanna Be Fellated Jon King Posthumous released
2007 Cock Value Jon King Posthumous released
2008 Hole Wreckers Jon King Posthumous released
2008 Journey To The Center of the Ass Jon King Posthumous released
2012 Flip Flop Boys Jon King Posthumous released
2019 Old School Threesomes and Moresomes Jon King Posthumous released
2020 Old School Threesomes and Moresomes Jon King Posthumous released
2021 Best of Manville Retro Jon King Posthumous released

Notes

  • Douglas, Jerry (1996). Manshots Vol. 8 No. 8 (Fade Out: Jon King Obituary). FirstHand, Ltd. OCLC 30846924.

References

  1. ↑ "Video Views" Stallion Vol. 4 No. 5. Stallion Magazine. 1985. p. 70.
  2. ↑ Bigger Than Life: The History of Gay Porn Cinema from Beefcake to Hardcore. Running Press. 2009. p. 1981.
  3. 1 2 "Katherine Lackey Gaines". Legacy. January 10, 2026.
  4. ↑ Bigger Than Life: The History of Gay Porn Cinema from Beefcake to Hardcore. Running Press. 2009. p. 1982.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Manshots Vol. 8 No. 8. FirstHand, Ltd. 1996. p. 82.
  6. ↑ Bigger Than Life: The History of Gay Porn Cinema from Beefcake to Hardcore. Running Press. 2009. p. 1982.
  7. ↑ "10 Ten Stars of 1987" Studflix Vol. 5 No. 4. Hudson Communications Group. 1987. p. 6.
  8. ↑ "Skin Screen: Hot Off the Press: Pressing Matters" Skin Vol. 6 No. 5. Unique Imports Ltd. 1985. p. 6.
  9. ↑ Bigger Than Life: The History of Gay Porn Cinema from Beefcake to Hardcore. Running Press. 2009. p. 198.
  10. ↑ "King of New York" Playguy Vol. 11 No. 6. Modernismo Publications, Ltd. 1987. p. 77.
  11. ↑ "New Faces" Just Men Vol. 1 No. 1. Modernismo Publications, Ltd. 1982. p. 6.
  12. ↑ "Jon King" Studflix Vol. 1 No. 2. Hudson Communications Group. 1982. p. 40.
  13. ↑ "Famous Faces & Famous Dicks" Studflix Vol. 3 No. 1. Hudson Communications. 1984. p. 35.
  14. ↑ "Portfolio of 16 Erotica Stars" Men of Advocate Men. Liberation Publications, Inc. 1989. p. 48.
  15. ↑ "A Look at the All-American Jock Image in Gay Erotica" Manshots Vol. 3 No. 1. FirstHand, Ltd. 1990. p. 26.
  16. ↑ The Gay Fireside Companion. University of Michigan. 1989. p. 168.
  17. ↑ Sex, Society, and the Making of Pornography: The Pornographic Object of Knowledge. Rutgers University Press. 2021. p. 148.
  18. ↑ "Fan Male" Skinflicks Vol. 3 No. 5. Magcorp. 1983. p. 4.
  19. ↑ Men of Advocate Men. Liberation Publications, Inc. 1989. p. 31.
  20. ↑ John: He's all wet" In Touch No. 65. In Touch, Inc. 1982. p. 46.
  21. ↑ "A Look at the All-American Jock Image in Gay Erotica" Manshots Vol. 3 No. 1. FirstHand, Ltd. 1990. p. 26.
  22. ↑ "Scatter Shots" Manshots Vol. 9 No. 3. FirstHand, Ltd. 1996. p. 4.
  23. ↑ "Pleasure Principle: Musings of a Narcissist with Doug Probst aka Shawn Mayotte". West Hollywood Times. March 28, 2026.
  24. ↑ Bigger Than Life: The History of Gay Porn Cinema from Beefcake to Hardcore. Running Press. 2009. p. 1984.
  25. ↑ "Kip Noll Super Star" Skinflicks Vol. 2 No. 5. Unique Imports Ltd. 1982. p. 28.
  26. ↑ "Members Only" Skinflicks Vol. 3 No. 1. MagCorp. 1982. p. 6.
  27. ↑ "Printer's Devils" Studflix Vol. 1 No. 4. Hudson Communications Group. 1982. p. 20.
  28. ↑ "The Biggest One I Ever Saw!" Studflix Vol. 3 No. 4. MagCorp. 1985. p. 14.
  29. ↑ "Giants Part One" Skinflicks Vol. 4 No. 5. MagCorp. 1984. p. 20.
  30. ↑ "Hotel Hell" Skinflicks Vol. 5 No. 3. MagCorp. 1985. p. 11.
  31. ↑ "Screen Play" Skinflicks Vol. 4 No. 6. MagCorp. 1984. p. 38.
  32. ↑ "Trick Time" Skinflicks Vol. 4 No. 4. MagCorp. 1984. p. 38.
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