American actor Jon-Erik Hexum passed away while filming his television series “Cover Up,” and the tragic event garnered media attention worldwide. Raised in New Jersey, Jon first majored in biomedical engineering before switching to economics and philosophy in college. But he had higher aspirations. He played football and was an avid sportsman. He worked as a DJ and an actress on the side. In his final years of college, he was quite involved in the theater community. He relocated to New York in 1980 in order to pursue a career in acting. He relocated to Los Angeles in 1981 after getting in contact with a well-known Hollywood star manager. He had several unsuccessful tryouts before landing his big break in the 1982 television series “Voyagers!” He made appearances in 20 episodes as “Phineas Bogg,” one of the show’s central characters. He made an appearance in the TV movie “Making of a Male Model” the following year. His big-screen debut came in 1984 when he played the protagonist in the movie “The Bear.” He began to appear in the television series “Cover Up” that same year. During the filming, he unintentionally shot himself to death. His passing was reported in national and international media.
Early Life & Childhood
Thorleif and Gretha Hexum welcomed Jon-Erik into the world on November 5, 1957, in Englewood, New Jersey. His family originated in Norway. In Tenafly, New Jersey, Jon grew up with his older brother, Gunnar.
When he was four years old, his parents separated. Jon had a strong passion for music and excelled academically. In addition to playing the violin in his school orchestra, he owned a piano at home.
He also developed a passion for performing, but he had no idea where to begin. Jon enrolled in “Case Western Reserve University” to study biomedical engineering after receiving his high school diploma. In college, he took engaged in theater on a regular basis. He grew tired of studying. He left the institution after quickly realizing that acting, sports, and music were his true passions.
Later, he enrolled at Michigan State University’s “James Madison College,” where he played football for the squad. He also started participating in the local theater scene at this time, taking on small parts in numerous productions. During his college years, he also performed as a DJ in neighborhood clubs under the moniker “Yukon Jack.”
Upon graduating with a major in philosophy and economics, he was certain that his ultimate goal in life was to pursue acting. He relocated to New York in 1980, not long after graduating from college, in order to be involved in the theater industry there. He worked multiple odd jobs at the same time to make ends meet. When he first got to know the manager of Hollywood actor John Travolta, he was a cleaner.
Career of Jon-Erik Hexum
When Jon first began going to TV shows in the late 1970s, he supposedly turned down a number of offers because they weren’t good enough. As a result, he was unable to participate in television shows like “The Dukes of Hazzard” and “CHiPs.” In addition, he declined numerous invitations to star in soap operas.
Agent Bob LeMond, though, saw Jon’s potential. Bob requested that Jon relocate to Los Angeles in 1981 so that he may try out for the film “Summer Lovers.” Despite not landing a part in the movie, Jon’s impressive audition won over a lot of people. He was soon awarded a juicy part in the television series “Voyagers!”
Jon portrayed the time-traveling figure “Phineas Bogg” in the science fiction series. Jon starred in all 20 of the show’s episodes during its one-season run, which aired from 1982 to 1983.
Despite being a critical and economic success, the show did not receive a second season renewal. But for Jon, the show turned out to be quite helpful. Not only was he making $10,000 a week at that point, but young audience members were also taking notice of him. Later on, this helped him land a few important posts.
He was given a significant part in the television movie “Making of a Male Model” in 1983. In the movie, Jon portrayed “Tyler Burnett.” Reviews were mediocre, but Jon’s performance was highly praised.
Jon appeared as a guest in the 1984 television episode “Tomorrows” from the television series “Hotel.”
He made an appearance in the movie “The Bear” that same year. The movie was a biopic of Paul “Bear” Bryant, the former University of Alabama football coach. Jon portrayed Pat Trammel, a football player on the team who was terminally ill. This has been his most highly praised performance to date in the critics.
Despite his high demand, Jon was not entirely content with the direction his career was taking. He was not able to land the big-budget movies and better parts that he was hoping for. He ultimately chose to take the lead in the action-adventure series “Cover Up” after declining other offers. In the series, he played the main character, Mac Harper. It was to be his final series.
Mishap and Fatality
In October 1984, Jon-Erik Hexum was filming “Golden Opportunity,” the seventh episode of the television series “Cover Up,” when the shoot was postponed and Jon began toy with a gun on the set. That firearm was a.44 “Magnum.” Jon had left one blank bullet in the rifle and had neglected to empty it fully.
He fired the trigger, feigning a gunshot to his temple, and was struck in the head. The bullet missed its mark on his cranium. Nevertheless, firing at that close range seriously damaged his skull.
Jon was brought right away to the “Beverly Hills Medical Center,” where his wounds required a five-hour surgery. Finally, on October 18, 1984, Jon was deemed brain dead. After that, his body was moved to San Francisco.
His corneas, kidneys, and heart were all donated by his family.
Because to his mother’s negligence during the production, “20th Century Fox” was sued. A deal reached outside of court settled the dispute. Antony Hamilton’s character on the television program “Cover Up” took his position.
Personal & Family Life
At the time of his passing, Jon-Erik Hexum was seeing actress Elizabeth Daily. Later on, Elizabeth disclosed that while Jon was not suicidal, he had been quite disappointed with the way his career was going.
Elizabeth said Jon exuded a childlike enthusiasm. She added that he has received a lot of advice from others to use caution when pretending to use firearms and other weapons.
Net worth of Jon-Erik Hexum
The estimated net worth of Jon-Erik Hexum is about $1 million.