Jon-Erik Hexum Mysteries and Scandals

The Life and Death of Jon-Erik Hexum

[@ih8kit]

"Mysteries and Scandals" was one of E!'s best series. AJ Benza did an excellent job hosting it.

[@reneebraxton1032]

I agree.

[@emilysanders1978]

Yes He Did

[@cocoj1976]

Agreed

[@John-br5ft]

Yes fantastic show

[@Mapqwerry]

Too bad he lost his rep being a hack for Harvey Weinstein. Benza should have believed in himself.

[@MeMeDaVinci]

I met him when the travelers show was filming on the Queen Mary. I worked at the front desk. He was in costume and came to the front desk and asked for his room key. He was handsome and I remember his direct eye contact. I also remember how "blank" his demeanor was, I felt very little positive energy from him. I didn't know he was a "star," but he definitely had a presence. I always felt bad his life ended too soon. I met Robert Redford when he was filming The Natural there, too. The difference in demeanor was like night and day.

[@creepycrawlers6950]

everyone , even celebrities have their 'off' days just like you do........let's not judge them on one brief encounter

[@jackiegoodall2624]

I loved Mysteries and Scandals - back when E had quality programs.

[@njpubadjuster3710]

Yes, before they let the Kardashians take over.

[@denyseaita4061]

he had the face of an angel and now he is one. such a terrible loss. I still remember when it happened and it broke my heart

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

more like a dropped pizza

[@sheldoncooper146]

@@lobsterwhisperer7932 Not nice to talk about your own face "A dropped pizza"!

[@Aritul]

Hexum seemed like a really nice, really humble guy. It's sad that he is not still alive today.

[@Oasis4Peetza]

Physically, the most beautiful man ever!

[@MrCamos6]

Seems To Be A Real Life Prince Charming, Very Talented And Very Handsome. I Remember Him As A Kid.

[@scribe712]

I remember when this happened. It was a real tragedy and a great waste of talent. I'm glad so many people haven't forgotten him. RIP

[@michelleh5218]

Beautiful man. Beautiful eyes, beautiful face, beautiful voice.🥰🥰🥰

[@mickiemcmeow2605]

So sad that he had to die so young, but I'm glad he lives on in other people. Even in death he was a hero for saving people who were in need of organs.

[@orlandoramos1878]

MICKIE Carreon me to and im happy he is with God

[@orlandoramos1878]

MICKIE Carreon if was guy would say thank you jon eric.

[@evangeline77x]

I read recently that one of the people saved was a 3 year old toddler who had suffered 3rd degree burns all over their body, the child was able to recover in large part thanks to skin grafts donated from Jon Eric.. Another child, iirc an 8 year old little girl, recieved one of his kidneys. All together more than a half dozen people recieved life saving organ transplants from Jon Eric, including his heart.. Despite the tragic end of his life he was able to gift so many people with a literal second chance to live their own lives.. It's such an immensely sad and beautiful thing, truly bittersweet.

[@msbcheet6041]

So sad and bittersweet. He was SO FINE!

[@judithgannon5642]

I was a little older than he and watched his interviews on NYC news. He had everything, drop dead gorgeous, mega charm, and presence. There was vitality bursting out of him. Sorry little brother, I wish you had more time.

[@charlesrobinson1637]

I read some of these comments, some people are so disrespectful,I remember when this happened it was a big deal, he was only 26 and came across in interviews as a real down to earth nice guy ..Gone too soon like so many others in Hollywood..

[@cherylcollins27]

He was humble people have nothing better to do than disrespect it's shameful to he gave even in death he saved lives with his organs so screw those ignorant people who leaves disrespectful comment on here

[@cherylcollins27]

@Captain Kirk what an asshole he saved lives I actually knew the man michael washington who received his heart you ass

[@cherylcollins27]

He was an organ donor he decided that before he died so yes he saved lives you ignorant FKG troll

[@evangeline77x]

Since the recent (and horrific) accident on the set of Alec Baldwin's new film, I became interested in Jon Eric Hexum's story (he's been mentioned frequently in articles and comments everywhere about the recent tragedy).. Such an incredibly handsome and talented young man gone way too soon, it was an utter tragedy for everyone involved.. And, from the sounds of both situations there was poor firearm safety on both sets, which imo, speaks to a larger issue with film armorers and a culture of false security.. With all the technological advancements (if studios can have Tom Cruise's face so digitally filtered in every frame that he looks 20 years younger) there is absolutely no need for real loaded weapons on a set, and practical effects like muzzle flashes just aren't necessary anymore.. I sincerely hope that the film industry finally takes the steps to replace these practical effects with CGI any time a weapon needs discharged on camera, and ensure that these kind of senseless accidents never happen again. It just shouldn't happen.

[@ksk5664]

Interesting you should mention this. When I first heard about the tragedy on the set of the Baldwin film, I immediately remembered John Eric Hexum. I remember as a preteen having his poster on his wall. Terrible tragedies ....both incidents. I agree with you I don't see why this type of footage couldn't be CGI into the film.

[@juicyfruit6311]

It's simple. Standard Operating Procedures weren't followed. In the case of the Baldwin shooting, the reports were live and blank rounds were mixed together. Staff members were using the gun for live fire practice during down time. Geezus! What can go wrong?

[@TMC1982Part2]

@@ksk5664 It also reminded me of what happened to Brandon Lee on the set of The Crow in 1993.

[@wendyburke2210]

This archivist is amazing!! He’s done a great job researching JON ERIK HEXUM , educating us on all things JON - ERIK

[@rockhero2274]

According to Paul Rubens, when he was working with E.G. Daily on Pee Wee's Big Adventure she broke down crying during the scene where Pee Wee was passed out. Apparently she imagined Hexum, who died a week before, laying down instead of Rubens.

[@Tornado1994]

Yup. She took Hexum's Death REALLY Hard. Didn't date for 3 years because of it.

[@Cygnus75]

I used to watch Cover Up with my dad, we liked that show, and I liked him. They stopped airing the show, and then one day my dad said, "you know the blond guy from Cover Up, Hexum? he died playing Russian Roulette". I felt very sad and felt like that for years every time I remembered his sad fate. I got here because of memories, and Voyagers. Hope you're resting in peace, Jon-Erik

[@TenaflyGuycom]

It wasn't Russian Roulette. Even the police ruled that out. Those that truly knew him knew it wasn't RR or suicide. Just a stupid accident. Nothing more.

[@jeffkalmar7871]

He was bored and fooling around between takes and pretending to play Russian Roulette, not knowing that blanks were dangerous. I've heard that he was imitating the "One shot" scene from The Deer Hunter, but I don't know for sure.

[@Liberate666A1]

That “accident” seems pretty much similar to Brandon Lee’s death with a prop gun. His girlfriend also said he had an argument with someone on set?????

[@KoreaMojo]

Also the guy fooling with the curtains comes in the room when he hears the shot and the prop master is already in there...he was supposed to be alone.

[@michaelguerrieri3486]

@@KoreaMojo this was before brendon lee.

[@btqy]

His accident happened before Brandon Lee. Too bad the gun handlers learned nothing.

[@dochenry9312]

Agreed.

[@cherylcollins27]

Two terrible losses Jon an Brandon Lee passed away on set

[@redram5150]

Brandon Lee was the prop armorer’s fault leading to an accident while filming. Hexum was caused by his own stupidity

[@curtisthomas2670]

The prop master is supposed to take control of all firearms after, Hexum is not supposed to have that gun.

[@TaraConti]

Two completely different scenarios. Yes a gun & blanks were used in both incidents however the circumstances are totally different.

[@Zzsmuf]

he was so humble.

[@melindakinnaird]

I remember I was 10 when he died. I just remember how very sad it was and still is.

[@chlorobabe]

I've been a fan of Jon- Erik since the very first episode of VOYAGERS! , I even recently bought the series on DVD . There is a scene in the pilot of voyagers! Between Jon Erik and Meeno , where bogg makes a comment that upsets Jeffery , who then cries, and bogg comforts him. It always makes me cry, because you see just how good an actor he was, and what a horrible loss and waste his death was and still is.

[@outsider238]

Thank you for posting this episode. It's the one I missed and the one I wanted to see. Loved Voyagers and watched Cover Up. I remember when this happened and was really sad to follow his decline in the hospital and shocked at his death. A tragic loss of a handsome, up and coming star.

[@Kuntyful]

poor guy... he seemed like a nice person

[@lynnpurcell7583]

Yeah, it was very sad. I was shocked when I heard it in the news. Truly sad day.

[@Kabul81]

Richard Brighton he seemed very down to earth!👍🏿 Jman👀

[@jeffkalmar7871]

He was a nice guy. He was President of my senior class in high school. We weren't close friends, but he was always friendly to me and everybody else. His death was a shame.

[@organboi]

@@jeffkalmar7871 I was just in Tenafly/Englewood yesterday. For the first time. I did a Google search to see what famous people are from there. And I came across Jon Erik's name. That's how I learned about him. Just today. Amazing life. And talent.

[@goldengirl67]

He had good looks and a great voice plus talent and charisma. You would never think that he would die at the age of 26. I remember him when I was a teenager. Just so gorgeous.

[@lisaharrison4179]

Every time I listen to the theme tune I think about the man, with a lovely smile, so wish things would have turned out different for him, bless him.

[@diasirea]

I know a guy who is a bonded & insured gun wrangler for indie films. He has a framed picture of Hexum present, when he gives his gun safety briefing to cast and crew. One demo he uses is firing a blank against an apple, which quickly become applesauce, to demonstrate the destructive forces of rapidly exiting hot gases and force. Reading some of comments, I see posters with little idea of dangers of blanks.

[@adamberndt4190]

I told you already, stop telling people we know each other!

[@gretcheng9401]

What's hard to believe is that no one seems to question the 'official story' on how he died. We have the 'drapery installer', Frank Lowe, simply quoting the only witness, the 'property master' (no name given), who supposedly tells exactly what happened. Why don't we have this supposed true description of what happened from the witness himself, with HIS name? Bottom line is the official 'case closed' story' is just a little too convenient and hard to believe coming from this vague, nameless, supposed witness through this other guy. I think someone else (or pleural) was most likely involved in Hexum's death and there should have been a decent investigation done, to say the least.

[@monilaninetynine3811]

So strange what his girlfriend said about him getting into an argument with someone. We will never know the truth.

[@BamberdittoPingpong]

I wonder if someone killed him. Surely he must have known the dangers of playing and fooling around with guns, he was smarter than that. Just seems so hard to believe

[@jedi1967]

in 2021 we have to revisit this....

[@h.l.asolomonov7674]

He was very handsome

[@joycelynlundy3624]

H.L.A Solomonov he sure was

[@PrincessRoyalty12]

He was.

[@PrincessRoyalty12]

@dindo gomez yes

[@PrincessRoyalty12]

@dindo gomez tangina mo bakla ka. HAHAHAHA😂😂😂

[@tashee8772]

Some of the comments just reaffirm how terrible people can be. I don’t know if any of you have been worked to the point of exhaustion and had no sleep, but I have. When you are severely sleep deprived, in a server way, you do many things that make no sense because your mind isn’t working properly. I’ve done this in several occasions, and did things that defied logic and reason, including even leaving the burner on, on the range. Don’t be so cruel and criticize his intellect. Remember, look to where he got by age 25-26. That took GREAT intelligence and by the looks of it, he had great humility and seemed like a genuine kind and decent man. On a lighter note, Jon and Jennifer would have made a beautiful couple, in real life.

[@CestmoiLucille]

As a teenager I was spellbound with this handsome guy on Cover Up...Jon-Erik Hexum, apart from the obvious good looks... was wholesome down to earth guy who was a very humble and beautiful soul. He had the world at his feet...an Immortal Star ... A legend that will remain forever in my heart and the hearts of those he touched. RIP

[@t.j.7789]

I get joy just looking at him!!! I didn't realize he played the piano.

[@rodolfoayalajr.8589]

Great memories. AJ Benza. Great show. Rip we will never forget. Amen 🙏.

[@Bebecat477]

This was a great series. Loved A.J. he did such a superb job.

[@MichaelSmith-jw8qw]

this man died too young--he was a great talent

[@t4705mb6]

I never saw any great acting from him but the camera loved him. Most people often don't see the flaws in things that sparkle.

[@dwood37]

The most beautiful human being that ever lived.

[@RCGoetzke]

Of all the things that one should never point at his/her head, a firearm ranks very high on the list.

[@judithgannon5642]

I was thinking that. He was asked to stop playing with the weapons. Just making Jennifer nervous should have been enough to quit. How did the blank get in the gun? I hope he actually didn't put it in.

[@LadyKC67]

@@judithgannon5642 that was Jennifer’s account. Doesn’t make it truthful. She never cared for him, she was mad that he got top billing, and she did all she could to belittle him in an interview they did together. Even the interviewer was shocked at her actions that day. I believe her about as far as I can throw her.

[@judithgannon5642]

@@LadyKC67 well we know he played with a gun once for sure

[@tyson1fan487]

I remember being a fan of the show my family would watch this show together and I remember my dad saying he died and I was shocked! This guy I thought was so cool was gone 😪 years later I realized he was in Voyagers. So sad! He would've been huge!

[@godlyblessedliibaangodisgo4394]

Rip Jon Erik hexum👼May your eternal soul find peace amen.

[@michaelgarel4279]

I remember when Jon-Erik died, I was just beginning to do some modeling at the time. My mother was watching his series religiously, and I think she was also smitten by his great looks, and voice. This guy had everything going for him, he could have been the next Superman. To this day, I wonder why there was a "real" bullet in a prop gun, did he put it there? Was someone jealous of his success? We'll never know.

[@matthewplaysgames4752]

The injuries weren't consistent with a real bullet. That would have been discovered upon autopsy. My question is, did someone ask him to fire a gun in his mouth for some reason, telling him the gun was not loaded when it actually was? Did anyone witness this?

[@BerlinerinToni]

It wasn't a real bullet, it was a "blank" or a prop bullet. In this case it consisted of a wad of cotton, and likely some gunpowder for effect. Because Jon-Erik placed the gun so close to his head - right against the temple, as so many say - the force of the gunpowder igniting pushed the cotton wad into his skull, and in turn broken pieces of his skull were pushed into his brain by the force. It all tragically goes to prove just how dangerous even prop guns are. That said, even the prop bullets shouldn't have been in the gun. The gun shouldn't have been in his hand. If he had just woken up from a nap, why was the prop master there anyway? So many things that just don't make sense in this story.

[@setpunks13]

Such a sad story. I used to watch Voyagers every Sunday as a little kid. My favorite show.

[@ELENIKARASAVVIDOU]

he had the hall package at an extreme level... Too much beauty, incredible voice, humble behavior, talent, knowledges (College, piano) an intense work ethic and a growing carreer... He would have been GREAT! WTF happened? Oh! He got lost in TV junks where his creativity was piped off SO UNFAIR!... RIP JEH!

[@hazelchapman8792]

just found this series of documentaries haven't done anything for two days cos of them enjoying them all greatly thank you for putting them on here

[@cynthiacookley9806]

This is so very sad,such a beautiful man with so much to offer,gone way to soon,horrible.

[@matijamarkovic8853]

I will never forget you,you were something special for me ...RIP JON-ERIK HEXUM.

[@therexbellator]

Kind of a strange episode. They lead-in with "accident or assassination" angle but by the last half they completely ignore it just settling on the conclusion that it was an accident, which it probably was but still I wanted to know more details as to why this might be a mystery or scandal. Based on the evidence though it does sound like Hexum was over-tired and overworked. That, combined with lax prop handling and security was a recipe for disaster. It's a tragedy for sure.

[@BerlinerinToni]

I agree, they set it up as a "mystery or scandal" and then immediately dismiss it as a tragic accident. Seems like a missed opportunity for a show that always thrived on the salacious angle of any story.

[@emerybayblues]

The early days of E! when they aired actual entertainment programming instead of reality stuff.

[@Revelian1982]

Look at MTV too. Awful.

[@donfoley1590]

He would have being a superstar

[@simplycarlton5582]

Jon-Erik Hexum ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@wendyburke2210]

I was a huge fan. I still remember where I was when I heard about the accident , and where I was when I heard he died. I was heartbroken.

[@artytoons]

The "Cover-Up" series lasted one season but had a history of tragedy. Jon-Erik Hexum's death; Antony Hamilton, who replaced Hexum for the rest of the series run, dying of AIDS in 1995; and several crew members of the series getting killed in a helicopter crash while scouting for locations to film scenes. Jennifer O'Neill herself survived a gun shot wound in an accident a few years earlier.

[@russb7815]

+artytoons ii have 40 photoes of jon eric hexum including his baby photoes im keeping them forever russ baxter of ontario canada

[@camiblutube7116]

He was so damn fine! I remember his death because my granny told me! I think that I was either in grade school or junior high school! I cried a bit and was so darn sad!

[@sycomcbastard7898]

26 years old damn so young R.I.P Jon-Erik Hexum

[@cherylcollins27]

So handsome and talented his parents lived in Vegas same as me at that time they donates his organs one guy in Vegas got his heart another got those beautiful eyes and more such a tragic loss I was a big fan

[@joeyshuny5]

Two things. #1 is this poor guy is dead. He's been dead for a while. He can't defend himself so let's stop with the insults. I've read more "Well if he wasn't so attractive nobody would care" "Stupid pretty boy" Jealousy is strong in some of these people huh but the sad thing is you're jealous of a dead guy. The second thing is A.J. Benza had a script and he read it. He was basically acting. People act like he was coming up with some of the stuff he said off the top of his head. He was an actor doing a job. I found nothing wrong with him. God knows this is FAR better than the shit they show on E now. Repeats of Sex in the City and anything to do with the Kardashian family.

[@lovelydaniel8083]

Well said 👏👏👏

[@joeyshuny5]

+lovely Daniel Thank you.

[@victoriateague9012]

+Jackie Vester Agree.

[@barrygoldsbury7658]

+Jackie Vester Well said. Very articulate and mature of you.

[@joeyshuny5]

+Barry Goldsbury Thank you. I really appreciate it.

[@rontayan]

I remember seeing him on Voyagers! I really enjoyed him in that show. That's so sad to know he passed away so early. RIP.

[@jrawlins5246]

My life essentially ended that sad, sorrowful day in Oct, '84. Yes, I've continued living, but I haven't been alive. RIP JEH.

[@shemekaaviles3959]

I was 10 when he died. I remember that evening when I got home from school and my Mom had told me that it was on the news that he had pasted away and I was so shocked and sad. I watched cover up and had the biggest crush on him back then. I thought he was handsome and he had the most gorgeous blue eyes. After watching this Mysteries and Scandals episode it now makes you wonder what really happened to him???

[@isaiahwinbrone]

This guy could've been an action star

[@shemekaaviles3959]

@@isaiahwinbrone Yes definitely!!

[@FreddieandBrenda]

I remember seeing his death on the cover of people magazine in '84, I was 19. Soo sad about Jon Erik...😔

[@kimberlywiederhold627]

I was totally in love with this man. No one has come close to hsving what he had.

[@bluedragon4]

I watched Cover-up. I was 11 at the time. It was a big deal when he died. Anthony Hamilton took his place and the show and he died of AIDS in the early 90's. It's all very sad.

[@desireeT01]

Jon, thanks for the big kid smile.... Miss you - rest in peace : :*(

[@littleogeechee223]

He reminded me strongly of Rock Hudson. He had that same kind of essence about him. Really sad. He had quite a career in front of him.

[@TheSonjaxfactor]

That man had a pure, sexy, masculine voice.🥰

[@keetahbrough]

i LOVED this guy, I was a child. a pre-teen. I watched everything he was in, and my heart contained real love for him. So when it happened, I had never experienced grief before.. shock and grief over a loss.. even though I had never met him. I understood though, that although his characters weren't real.. the man was real, and that his loss was a tremendous loss to his family and friends. I also remember being upset about how he couldn't have done that.. how anything that dangerous could be found on a movie set. I thought movies and their sets were make believe. What's a gun doing there.

[@vigwig]

I worked with him and John McGinley in summer stock before he went to LA. Sweet guy. He had the girls in Auburn NY lining up around the block.

[@cafarhan]

This is amazing. You're lucky to have known him.

[@sk2480]

Do you know his other friend Herbert Sneakers?

[@346rrr]

I remember voyagers. One of my favourite shows as a kid! Jon- Erik was cute too.

[@Tornado1994]

You can see why "Buttercup" a voluptuous blonde like E.G. Daily would hook up with an 80s stud like Jon Erik Hexum. Youthful yuppie romance. Jon was 25, Elizabeth 22 when they started dating in 1983.

[@goodowner5000]

​@@Tornado1994Was probably around the time of "Valley Girl " w/Deborah Foreman, Nicholas Cage, & Daly(?)

[@Tornado1994]

@@goodowner5000 Yes. When Elizabeth was young, she had an acting and singing career. She was in Valley Girl.

[@johnhepfer4484]

One of the best M&S episodes ever. Rip Jon Erik

[@cafarhan]

I was born a month after his death but I got to catch him on reruns of Cover-up in 1991 on an old Philips color tube TV. when I lived in Pakistan. I was so into the show. I thought it was the coolest modern show ever. I was so impressed by his physique, looks & overall style and wished to be like him one day. Then after a few episodes I noticed his absence. I figured he must be on vacation or involved in another project. Then I started seeing you Tony Hamilton & figured maybe JEH got replaced. As I was still trying to process all this I saw his picture in the ending credits of 7th or 8th episode of Cover Up and realized he had passed away. I was so disturbed to learn about his passing that I couldn't sleep at night for couple of days. I never knew the cause of his death since the show never disclosed it and there was no internet back then. Not to mention this had happened years before I came to find out about the show. Then eventually went about my life and kinda forgot about it. I moved to US in 96 & learnt the cause of his death in late 00's. Then only recently I thought of him again & found all this material about JEH, his work & his family. Also found all the episodes of Cover Up someone has uploaded on KZbin. Watching the show is so nostalgic and looks so old now. It's crazy how long old the show is. When I see JEH's vibrant face & personality it brings back old memories. It seems like yesterday when I used to wait all week for the show. I almost feel some deep spiritual connection with him as his memory has been imprinted in my brain. Mainly because he seemed like such a hard worker and goal getter combined with a magnetic personality. RIP Jon-Erik Hexum. Your fans will always remember you.

[@quasarvillenights3266]

I know Benza takes a lot of heat, but I think he has the perfect, cheesy, Tinseltown insincerity for a show like this.

[@LisaMarie-ln1vp]

Quasarville Nights There is something about Benza. I agree with you. I think he’s perfect for this show

[@ckotcher1]

I love him!

[@beyourself2444]

I agree, he was perfect for this show…

[@monilaninetynine3811]

I agree. Very sarcastic, but appropriate.

[@sheldoncooper146]

I believe something else not reported happened. Like the person he argued with, doing something to cause the accident. Evil can expose it's ugly head because of jealously. To bad there was not a camera somewhere to show the incidents leading to the accident. The long hours alone, are suspect of Foul Play! Too many people get envious and hateful of a talented handsome man like Jon Erik who happens to be humble. Whoever was responsible for allowing such a accident and I don't mean Jon Erik, I hope they suffer a painful death. Jon Erik Hexum was a good man, and deserved to live a long happy life.

[@evamz9584]

What a beautiful voice he had. Shame he died so young. RIP Jon Erik

[@mesicek7]

Used to watch Cover Up reruns in the mid 90s. Didn't know he died so tragically

[@lsimon343]

He was hotter after high school! Such a shame:(

[@colderbeer]

I agree with his former co-star.....SOMEBODY was with him and saw the whole thing.

[@mrkofi105]

I am hearing two different versions of his death. I heard that there were people around when he placed the gun to his head and said " lets see if there is one(bullet) in here for me". Now, I am hearing that he was alone when he shot himself and the stage designer heard the shot and found John on the bed. The questions I have are who are the five people who received John's body parts and if the prop guns are only loaded when they are ready to be used, why would he have the blank bullets to load and unload as the stage prep guy was saying?!

[@tellurye]

MrKofi Haynes I was thinking the same thing: 1. I found a wikipedia that allegedly had Jon-Erik's BIO and it listed the recipients names and what organ they received. I have not verified it and as you know, anyone can edit it so not sure how true it is. 2. As far as blanks - you are absolutely right, hence the lawsuit. At no time, blanks or other special effects (including props) are to be unsupervised and they are ONLY to be handled by the effects team and not released to the actors until ACTION. Also, a lot of times, they will film the person's hands loading the gun so its not the actor, its sometimes the special effects team. Between takes, the gun should IMMEDIATELY have been taken away from Jon-Erik and secured off set! Certainly, Jon-Erik should have treated even a prop gun as if it is real and loaded, however the initial fault here lies within the Special Effects team. Same way Brandon Lee died. Even though that was an accident, when they heard the pop, they should have immediately shut down and investigated -they didnt look inside the pop gun's barrel. If they had they would have seen the bullet lodged at the tip. I worked on some short films with guns and I remember them lecturing us big time beforehand that even though blanks, the power and force can still kill you if close enough. They mentioned that while shooting a war film, in jest, an actor pointed and shot a gun at his friend. The gun barrel wasn't touching the skin (like Jon Erik's) but was still close enough that the force of the blast pounded the guys heart with enough damage to disrupt it and cause cardiac arrest, and the actor died. They made damn sure, before handing us the weapons, the shined lights down the barrel to make sure there were no obstructions (Brandon Lee's prop gun) Hope this helps somewhat. Sorry so long.

[@mrkofi105]

Great info and research! Thank you!

[@Kijinn]

tellurye Indeed...but... You have that type of situation in every business. There are safety regulations, in place to help avoid unfortunate accidents. Since these accidents seem rather odd and improbable, though, many people just choose to ignore the regulations. If you confront them on the topic, they'll look at you, like you just insulted them or are insane. And their excuse is that all it takes is common sense to handle the potential dangers. By doing so, they foolishly step over the fact that some person, or some event, may appear that simply unhinges the "common sense" scenario. Like a person who is tired, drunk, given false information or who just misheard. You have regulation-ignoring people everywhere. It starts with one person giving the above arguments and then others follow suit, because it's often so convenient and comfortable. If there isn't a single conscientious, authoritative person, who regularly checks for flaws in procedures, then this sloppiness *always* seeps in to stay! Always!

[@ebogar42]

Whos here after the Alec shooting?

[@BlytheWorld1972]

This young guy would have been an 80s heart throb i believe his big break was just around the corner he would have had his own tv show been in the Colby's and had his own films he had star quality even in his interviews he was really special such a sad sad shame

[@maxtexture]

I remember this happening when I was in 7th Grade. Such a senseless tragedy.

[@CestmoiLucille]

He is always remembered in my prayers...

[@AidanTheLoverBoyOhDwyer]

Just found out that Daily was his girl. Cool. Great voice actress she is.

[@phekach]

Aidan The Lover Boy O'Dwyer Great singer too. And she was gorgeous back in the 80's and also had beatiful figure

[@MsBlueRyan]

Tragic accident. So sad. Great looking guy too. :(

[@monkeyman2407]

E.G. & Hexum were a gorgeous couple

[@cookiewilliams8926]

I had forgotten all about Jon-Erik, Until I ran across this Mysteries and Scandals episode But I remember When he was the Hottest guy in Hollywood. I remember thinking he was going to be Big Movie star because of his good looks and talent, you wanted to see everything he was in. If he were alive today i'd be up there with George Clooney

[@brainsareus]

perhaps he'd be there with Clooney,but no one can know. how many have that kind of status?

[@kislingtasia25]

I was just 16 yrs old when I first heard the bad and sad terrible news. My mother and I both had such a crush on him.

[@andricorayford]

Lord have mercy his star was unplugged before it began to shine. Hollywood isn't meant for some people.

[@mreunome]

I always thought this kid was going to go far because he was sharp looking and had a great voice like Gregory Peck or Jeff Chandler. He did have star quality! It's sad . He would have doubled his age by now. I also remember how terrible Howard Stern was making a joke about his death, and that some pimp in Vegas received his heart. Stern's other comments were more vulgar and most inappropriate. It made me dislike Stern to this day . . . what a insensitive jerk . . . hardly a shock jock.

[@orella25]

I still can’t believe this happened to an actor with a bright future in Hollywood, after the accident I remember thinking that for an actor with such a great success He was a down to earth kind of a man in his personal life based on the following videos and documental’s I watched, I’m wondering what happens with the man that got his heart and the lady that got his corneas ! God keep him on his side !

[@gloriaaltamirano3921]

Jon erik hexum forever in my heart.. ❤😢

[@mipoorboy1478]

Wow! I've never seen him b4 but dang he was incredibly good looking! Someone said looks aren't all that matters...sooooo true....but, wow!!

[@bardo0007]

Fun fact Jon -Erik Hexum is 100% Norwegian! With both a Norwegian dad and mom. And a brother named Gunnar. His dad Thorleif was born in Bergen, Norway in 1920 and immigrated to the US in the 1950s, a few years before Jon-Erik was born. Thorleif tragically died in a car accident in San Francisco in 1990 , he was 70 years old.

[@SIKE01]

fact: his father was a deadbeat dad. his beloved mother, GRETA died of cancer in 1988.

[@michelleayres5608]

If actors can act like a barbell weighs 100 pounds, they can act like a wooden gun is real. There's absolutely NO reason for loaded guns on a set.

[@Venomous_471]

OMG, I had a crush on Jon in the 80s , Voyagers was my favorite show, I didn't know he passed away in that manner😢

[@Rozlovesbling]

He would have been an excellant Superman.

[@laprincesadelasalsa]

Amazing artist who lost his life alittle too soon ...rip Jon !!!

[@Karinne50]

O mundo ficou menos belo com a morte desse talentoso e promissor ator que nos deixou muito cedo! Ia ser um dos maiores astros de Hollywood! Que pena! Ele é inesquecível 😢😢😢😢

[@lasithgunasekara9078]

I am still wondering as to what made him put a gun to his head and fire. What was the rationale behind it?.In some articles they say about 40 people were present but none saw what happened but this guy benza says something else. Does anybody know what really happened. It can't be said that Jon was stupid

[@joeyshuny5]

My older brother Ricky died kind of the same way. He was on a motorcycle and was hit by a drunk driver in front of his 4 year old daughter and 32 year old wife who were driving behind him. He flipped over the car after it hit him head on. He was declared brain dead after 4 days in the hospital. It was so weird cause he actually landed on his butt but the impact was so severe his brain shifted inside his head. He was only 31.

[@slyguythreeonetwonine3172]

Uh no your brother didn't die in the same way at all, unless you mean to say that your brother has also died and because he and Jon are both dead, they're situations are similar. Your brother died being hit by a drunk driver, Jon died because he was prettier than he was smart. Only an idiot plays around with a gun. But I wasn't there, and it sounds like people want to think he was murdered instead.

[@RCGoetzke]

Slyguy threeonetwonine I think that he's referring to the fact that they both suffered devastating brain injuries and were placed on life support for a few days before being declared brain dead and were then unplugged.

[@joeyshuny5]

Robert G. That's exactly what I meant. Thank you. I'm a girl though.

[@RCGoetzke]

Jackie Vester I thought so. Terrible thing that happened to your brother, especially happening in front of his wife and child. Sorry about the he/she confusion.

[@joeyshuny5]

Robert G. Don't worry about the girl/boy thing. You're not the first person to make the mistake. Anyway a drunk hit my brother afterwards was declared brain dead. The way he died was like the way this young actor died. I think the what Hexum did was careless but it was still really sad. I think that people should remember that he had family and people that loved him before they make mean comments about him. It was an accident. I think he paid for it enough.

[@jonericson398]

my mother named me after him...never looked him up until a few days ago. crazy story.

[@funguy8801]

Remember, don't play with guns.

[@jonericson398]

Fun Guy too late