Jon-Erik Hexum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon-Erik_Hexum
Jon-Erik Hexum (/ˈhɛksəm/; November 5, 1957 – October 18, 1984) was an American actor. He died as a result of an accidental self-inflicted blank cartridge gunshot to the head on the set of the CBS television series Cover Up, in which he played the male lead.
On October 12, 1984, the cast and crew of Cover Up were filming the seventh episode of the series "Golden Opportunity" on Stage 17 of the 20th Century Fox lot. One of the scenes filmed that day called for Hexum's character to load bullets into a .44 Magnum handgun, so he was provided with a functional gun and blanks. When the scene did not play as the director wanted it to in the master shot, there was a delay in filming. Hexum became restless and impatient during the delay and began playing around to lighten the mood. Apparently, he had unloaded all but one (blank) round, spun it, and, apparently simulating Russian roulette with what he thought was a harmless weapon, at 5:15 p.m., he put the revolver to his right temple and pulled the trigger.
Hexum was apparently unaware that his actions were dangerous. Blanks use paper or plastic wadding to seal gunpowder into the cartridge, and this wadding is propelled from the barrel of the gun with enough force to cause injury if the weapon is fired within a few feet of the body should it strike at a particularly vulnerable spot, such as the temple or the eye. At a close enough range, the effect of the powder gasses is a small explosion, so although the paper wadding in the blank that Hexum discharged did not penetrate his skull, there was enough blunt force trauma to shatter a quarter-sized piece of his skull and propel the pieces into his brain, causing massive hemorrhaging.
Hexum was rushed to Beverly Hills Medical Center, where he underwent five hours of surgery to repair his wounds.On October 18, six days after the accident, Hexum was declared brain dead. With his mother's permission, his body was flown to San Francisco on life support, where his heart was transplanted into a 36-year-old Las Vegas man at California Pacific Medical Center. Hexum's kidneys and corneas were also donated: One cornea went to a 66-year-old man, the other to a young girl. One of the kidney recipients was a critically ill five-year-old boy, and the other was a 43-year-old grandmother of three who had waited eight years for a kidney. Skin that was donated was used to treat a 3½-year-old boy with third degree burns. Hexum's body was then flown back to Los Angeles. He was cremated at Grandview Crematory in Glendale, California, and a private funeral was held. His ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean, near Malibu, California, by his mother. Hexum's death was ruled accidental. His mother later received an out-of-court settlement from 20th Century Fox Television and Glen A. Larson Productions, the production team behind Cover Up.
The episode on which Hexum had been working was broadcast on November 3, 1984, two weeks after Hexum's death. Cover Up continued production without Hexum's character. Three weeks later, on November 24, Antony Hamilton was introduced as agent Jack Striker, posing as a new member of the modeling team. Hexum's character, Mac, is noticeably absent, said to be on another mission. At the end of the episode, Jack breaks the news that Mac has been killed on the other assignment and would not be coming back. As the tears flowed, the camera panned back, and a memoriam written by Glen Larson appeared onscreen:
When a star dies, its light continues to shine across the universe for millenniums
John (sic) Eric Hexum died in October of this year ... but the lives he touched will continue to be brightened by his light... forever ... and ever.
photos
https://www.google.com/search?q=Jon+Erik+Hexum&client=opera&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ved=2ahUKEwiPodWJrY7eAhWRKFAKHYUvAtM4ChCwBHoECAIQAQ&biw=1920&bih=939
Extraordinary story of Jon-Erik Hexum – the actor who died playing Russian roulette on his own TV s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH0Ec_CUzAw
Jon-Erik Hexum - 1984 News Coverage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjsFd4liAYs
Sweet Jon-Erik Hexum PM Magazine Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzn81mWuwrs
From P.M. Magazine, A 1983 interview by Eric Paulsen (Jon's 1st Cousin) that showcases Hexum's views on his 'hunk' status, and his excellent talents in diving and piano. If you want to own good quality anything and everything Jon-Erik, pictures, articles, T.V spots and shows, please visit the fanclub website and join here at-
Jon-Erik Hexum w/a crew cut interview 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqujw0ptP6k
Really Nice collages of Jon modeling and speaking about how his good looks can be a detriment to his career. He certainly was leading man material. Interviewer is Tawny Little.
Interview with Jon Erik-Hexum and Jennifer O'Neill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5K-RmHXUyU
Jon-Erik Hexum Mysteries and Scandals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GfH9E2pL0M
MAKING OF A MALE MODEL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwNpAAFnJmM
Idolo da copertina (Making of a male model ) film con Joan Collins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zOCDyfkD48
photos MAKING OF A MALE MODEL
https://www.google.com/search?q=Making+a+male+model,Jon+Erik+Hexum&client=opera&hs=eQ1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwidjub4_o7eAhUIPo8KHfzODIUQsAR6BAgAEAE&biw=1920&bih=939
http://pdhexum.tripod.com
This is the official website for the Jon-Erik Hexum Fan Club, founded in 1985, in memory of the late television and film actor. Unlike most fan clubs, who honor living individuals, this one serves more as an archive and a library. Formerly based in Portland, Oregon ("pdhexum" is a play on "PDX", the airport code for Portland), and now in St. Louis, Missouri, it has attracted members from all over the globe in its 20+ year history. We maintain an extensive collection of Jon-Erik's photos, written and taped interviews, filmography and other resources, in effort to preserve the memory of a charismatic and talented individual whose life was cut tragically short due to an on-set accident in October 1984. Despite his brief time in the spotlight, Jon-Erik was nonetheless able to inspire a great many around him with his positive, take-on-the-world attitude, and we feel he deserves to be remembered and kept in the public eye, so that a meaningful and lasting assessment of his life and work might be made.
If you would like to join the club, or simply share your own memories or encounters with Jon-Erik, drop us a line! In the meantime, grab your omnis, and take a trip back in time with us to the early 80s!
In Memoriam: John Patrick Mullin, beloved teacher and friend of Jon-Erik's, passed away in Cincinnati on Friday, November 21, 2008 at the age of 72. He very generously donated much of the material you see on this page. I had the privilege of being a friend of JP's for the last 11 years, and will always fondly remember him for his wonderful dry humor and larger-than-life personality. -- Doug