John Nelson Gaines (January 12, 1963 â March 8, 1995), known professionally as Jon King, was a prominent American adult film actor and model. 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.
Gaines was born in Jacksonville, Florida, to Thomas Ronald Gaines and Katherine Lackey Gaines. He was the youngest son in the family, with an older brother, Thomas R. Gaines Jr., and a younger sister, Angela. His interest in the adult industry began at age 12. 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.
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. However, after his partner secured employment, Gaines remained in California.
Gaines was reportedly discovered by a scout for Catalina Video while working at a car wash in Los Angeles. His professional debut came in 1981 in the film Brothers Should Do It, produced by William Higgins. 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.
His early career included work with directors such as Kristen Bjorn. During this period, he also worked "civilian" jobs, most notably as a waiter at the Zodiac Room in the Beverly Hills Neiman Marcus.
Jon King became a major fixture in gay photography and print media throughout the 1980s. His appeal was defined by a unique combination of a tight, boyishly muscular body, thick black hair, and deep dark eyes. 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.
He modeled for numerous high-profile gay lifestyle and adult magazines, frequently appearing on covers and in multi-page spreads. 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.
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. Following a car wreck, he was apprehended and served 11 months in a Florida prison. He later remarked that spending his 20th birthday behind bars was a sobering experience.
Gaines returned to Los Angeles in 1983, launching a highly successful comeback. He became a staple of 1980s gay media, appearing on numerous magazine covers and in high-profile films such as Kip Noll Superstar (1984). His work during this era was characterized by what critics described as a "youthful innocence" and "sexual energy".
In 1989, Gaines retired from the industry and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to be near his family and attend culinary school. 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).
Gaines was known to be private and he iked 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. After being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, his health declined in the mid-1990s. He moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he was cared for by a close friend. He was close friends with actor Shawn Mayotte.
Gaines died of AIDS-related complications on March 8, 1995, at the age of 32. Per his wishes, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered alongside those of his beloved dog, Bucky.