Bear Porn Veteran Hank Hightower Passes Away at 57

Bear Porn Veteran Hank Hightower Passes Away at 57

LOS ANGELES — Veteran bear gay porn performer Hank Hightower passed away Nov. 1 at 57.

News of Hightower’s passing was confirmed via social media by friends and industry associates, and reported by specialized LGBTQ+ news media.

The brunette, hirsute Hightower was a prominent performer in gay titles from 1993 until the late 2000s. His IAFD page lists over 140 titles for studios such as Catalina, HIS, Forum, Vivid Man, Tool Factory and Caballero.

Bear World Magazine’s John Hernandez penned a heartfelt remembrance about Hightower’s impact on that always-popular niche.

“The death of iconic bear porn star Hank Hightower sent ripples through the bear world once word came of his passing on Nov. 1,” Hernandez wrote. “Hank’s death loomed large, especially for me.”

Porn, he continued, “is a great way to explore fantasies and alleviate tension. It’s a way to safely experiment and a way to learn what you like and what gets your motor running. For me, personally, it’s how I discovered my lust for bears, and Hank Hightower was my entry point.”

Hernandez explained why he has never gotten over his crush on Hightower, and never will.

“Lots of bears credit Hank Hightower with their sexual awakening,” he wrote in his tribute. “And of course, there was a complete person behind the public porno persona and stories of his time as a sweet natured bartender and as a dedicated volunteer for AIDS charities and animal shelters are making their way around the internet.”

Industry Reactions

Hightower’s friend Jeff Yarbrough wrote on Facebook, “I was jolted awake by a text early this morning. 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. If you knew Hank, then you knew of his love for canines. If his passing moves you, please send a donation this season to an animal rescue of your choosing. He did a lot of volunteering, and those nonjudgmental licks and hugs meant the world to him. One year he sold Christmas trees for a pug rescue. Imagine having Hank Hightower tie a fir tree to the roof of your car.

“As per his wishes, he died at home surrounded by his two pups. He passed peacefully,” Yarbrough added.

Fellow performer and friend Pete Finland called Hightower, “the original muscle bear.”

“He was also battling with cancer and called me two days ago to check up on me,” Finland wrote on X.com. “Now he is gone. He will be really missed.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Gal Ritchie Performs Her 1st Anal for Brazzers

Gal Ritchie performs her first anal scene alongside Ricky Johnson in the latest Brazzers release, titled “Say Hello to My Little Arsehole.”

Adult Time Drops Bree Mills' 'Hard Stop Reunion' Documentary, New Scene

Adult Time has released a documentary feature on the recent Bree Mills-helmed drama “Hard Stop” as well as a new cast orgy scene, titled “Hard Stop Reunion Orgy.”

Elegant Angel Premieres Jennifer White Showcase 'Hollywood Whore'

Jennifer White gets the spotlight in a new six-part showcase release from Elegant Angel.

Autumn Rain Headlines Latest From TransSensual

Autumn Rain stars with Little Puck in “Playtime with a TS MILF,” from TransSensual.

Adult Time Releases New 'Out of the Family' Episodes for 'Steptember'

Adult Time has released new episodes of “Out of the Family,” as part of its “Steptember” series programming.

Alina Lopez Stars in Final Installment of Blacked Feature 'The Blueprint'

Alina Lopez stars with Vixen Media Group exclusive Jason Luv in the final installment of Blacked's new feature, "The Blueprint."

Miss Lexa Makes Her Brazzers Debut

Miss Lexa has made her Brazzers debut alongside JMac in the studio's latest release, titled "Miss Lexa Is a Powerhouse."

Mag Numb Leads Latest From PlantsVsCunts

Mag Numb stars in the latest scene from Hentaied studio brand Plants Vs. Cunts, titled “The Book of Curses.”

Connie Perignon Makes Her Debut for Parasited

Connie Perignon has made her Parasited debut in “A Lesson She Will Payback,” directed by El Pacho.

Aubrey Kate Featured in Latest From Kink.com

Aubrey Kate stars with Sage Roux in the new scene from Kink.com, titled “A Hole for the Prison Guard.”

Show More