Jon King (born John Nelson Gaines; January 12, 1963 – March 8, 1995) was an American adult film actor and model, renowned as a prominent figure in gay adult cinema during the 1980s and early 1990s for his athletic build and "boy-next-door" appeal.
Early life He was born in Jacksonville, Florida, to Thomas and Katherine Gaines, Gaines moved to Los Angeles in 1980 at age 17 after an early teenage interest in the adult film industry.
Career Rise to prominence and legal hiatus (1981–1982) He was discovered in Los Angeles, Gaines made his debut in William Higgins's Brothers Should Do It (1981). Marketed under the stage name Jon King due to his resemblance to performer J.W. King, he became a staple in Higgins' works while working side jobs like waitering. His career paused in 1982 following criminal charges and an 11-month prison sentence in Florida, which he later viewed as a major turning point.
Stardom, modeling, and retirement (1983–1995) He returned to Los Angeles in 1983, King achieved peak stardom working with studios like Falcon Studios and directors like Kristen Bjorn. Notable films included Screen Play (1984) and Perfect Summer (1988). He was also a ubiquitous print model in adult lifestyle magazines. He later retired from full-time adult films in 1989 to train as a chef in Atlanta, though he returned for brief projects in the early 1990s, with posthumous releases extending into 1995.
Personal life Gaines maintained a highly private personal life despite his public profile. In interviews, he occasionally expressed discomfort with the scale of his adult industry fame, noting a strong preference for being recognized for his true character rather than his "Jon King" screen persona. He maintained a long-standing friendship with fellow adult film actor Shawn Mayotte.
Death After being diagnosed HIV-positive and experiencing declining health, he moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He died there from AIDS-related complications on March 8, 1995, at age 32. Per his wishes, his remains were cremated, mixed with his dog's ashes, and scattered in the Atlantic Ocean.
Filmography Film YearTitleRoleNotes 1981 Brothers Should Do It Little Brother Debut 1981 Kip Noll Superstar Beautiful Boy 1982 Bore 'N Stroke Steve Fox Studios 1982 Main Attraction Jon Nova Films 1982 Members Only Jon King 1982 Printer's Devil Mike 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 1984 Boys of West Hollywood Boy 1984 Fade In Johnny 1984 Fade Out Johnny 1984 Giants 2 Handsome Lad 1984 Hot Off The Press Dennis La Solon Inc. 1984 Hotel Hell Jon 1984 Screen Play Jimmy 1984 Trick Time Vincent 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
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