November 3, 2023
Adult Film Star Hank Hightower's Death Prompts Outpouring of Fond Recollections
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
The news of popular adult film star Hank Hightower's death at age 57 prompted an outpouring from friends and fans on social media.
Hightower's friend Jeff Yarbrough posted on Facebook about Hightower's death on Nov. 1.
"I was jolted awake by a text early this morning," Yarbrough posted. "One of the (few) special guys in my life lost a health battle today. Hank Hightower called me last Sunday to say so long. Hank and I lived large, hard, and fast at an appropriate time for all that - late 1990s - after a shit ton of our friends had died of AIDS."
The post went on to recall Hightower's charitable work, quipping, "One year he sold Christmas trees for a pug rescue. Imagine having Hank Hightower tie a fir tree to the roof of your car ❤️."
Yarbrough quoted from the text he said he had received informing him of Hightower's death.
"Henry Robert Hightower passed away today, Nov. 1, 2023, at 3:30am. As per his wishes, he died at home surrounded by his two pups. He passed peacefully. Memorial details will be sent in a few weeks."
"I will always hold you close, HH, and happy trails...🖤" Yarbrough concluded.
Tributes poured onto social media from friends, fans, and colleagues. One friend wrote in response to Yarbrough's post, "As I am sure you were aware Blue and I saw Hank a lot and we both cherished our friendship with him."
"Hank was fun to work with and generous with his time devoted to AIDS Charity work," another respondent posted.
A third recalled, "Hank always had my back in good and bad times when I lived in Long Beach; I will miss my brother forever and his smile and laugh will never die. He texted me Sunday to say he loved me. 💔"
"I remember such fond memories of Hank and all our time in SF," answered another. "All my love❤️"
"I Am so sorry for OUR Loss!!" drag icon and adult film director Chi Chi LaRue posted. "I loved him!😢"
Novelist Matthew Rettenmund ("Boy Culture") took to X with the recollection that Hightower "was in all the magazines back when I worked on them."
Others, too, recalled Hightower as having been a favorite among adult entertainers.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
