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James Leonard Waldrop

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Leonard Waldrop
Born
James Leonard Waldrop Jr.

(1955-07-21)July 21, 1955
Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, U.S.
DiedDecember 15, 1986(1986-12-15) (aged 31)
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, U.S.
Other namesJames Leonard Waldrop
J.W. King
Jim King
Jim Waldrop
Shaun Victors
Tom Cartwright
Brandon Adams
Todd Avery
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Model
Years active1978–1986
Agent(s)Colt Studios
Falcon Studios

James Leonard Waldrop Jr. (July 21, 1955 – December 15, 1986), known professionally as J.W. King, was a prominent American actor and model in the gay adult film industry during the early 1980s.[1][2] He rose to national fame as a Playgirl centerfold before becoming one of the most recognizable stars of the "Golden Age" of gay cinema.[3][4][2][5]

Early life

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James Leonard Waldrop Jr. was born on July 21, 1955, in Dallas, Texas, to James Leonard Waldrop Sr. and Anita Louise Stephens.[2] He was the eldest of three children and grew up in Dallas with two younger siblings Timothy Michael Hunnicutt, a younger brother and Susan Kathleen Davis Culberson, his youngest sister.[2]

In September 1979, Waldrop competed in the Mr. Dallas Contest, where he placed as the first runner-up.[6] Shortly after the competition, he relocated to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a career in modeling and acting.[6]

Career

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Modeling

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Waldrop's career began in the physique and gay adult magazine circuit under the name Jim Waldrop.[2] His tall stature, athletic build, and tanned complexion made him a popular subject for photographers.[2] His mainstream breakthrough occurred when he was selected as the "Man of the Month" centerfold for the January 1981 issue of Playgirl magazine.[2]

Adult Film Industry

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Adopting the stage name J.W. King, he entered the adult film industry in 1978.[7] Over a seven-year career, he appeared in many films in 1980s.[8] He was known for his versatility, sometimes appearing clean-shaven and other times sporting a beard, as seen in Gold Rush Boys and Tightropes at the Officers Club.[9][10] Despite the frequent billing as the "older brother" of Jon King, it was purely a marketing strategy used to boost the popularity of films like Brothers Should Do It.[11]

Personal life

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Waldrop lived in the Hollywood Hills during his time in Los Angeles.[2] He was romantically involved with fellow adult film actors R.J. Reynolds and John Murphy.[2] Around 1985, Waldrop retired from the adult film industry.[2] In the final 30 months of his life, he worked as a waiter at the Sheraton Premiere Hotel in Universal City.[2] He maintained close friendships with fellow performers Kip Noll and Jeremy Scott.[12]

Death

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Waldrop died on December 15, 1986, at a hospital in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, due to complications from AIDS.[2] He was 31 years old.[2] His death followed that of his partner, John Murphy, by only one month.[2] He was returned to his hometown and buried at Laurel Land Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas.[2]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1978Big Men on Campus: The FraternitySeanDebut
1980Big Man on CampusShaun[13]
1980Closed SetShaun
1980BallgameSpectator #22
1981Pacific Coast HighwayTom[14]
1981RawhideForeman Rick
1981Palace of PleasuresLifeguard[15]
1981Brothers Should Do ItBig BrotherMarketed as brother of Jon King
1981The Class of '84 Part 2Draft Teacher[16]
1981San FranciscoJamesCredited as Jim King
1981PerformanceJ.W. KingCredited as Jim King
1981JockstrapJ.W. KingCredited as Jim King
1981Man to Man Heat: Three Is a DreamJ.W. KingColt Studio production
1982Wet ShortsJack CarpenterCredited as Jack Carpenter
1982Turned OnJim
1982Three Day PassPetty Officer
1982These Bases Are LoadedMike
1982Nighthawk in LeatherTom
1982Caught from BehindMan in First OrgyCredited as Tom Cartwright
1982California BoysHandsome GuyCredited as Jim King
1982A Night at Halsted'sBeautiful Boy
1983Gold Rush BoysSheriffCredited as Jim King[17]
1983Tightropes at the Officers ClubOfficer[18]
1983Choice CutsJ.W.
1983Sun StrokesJimFeatured in Best of Colt 1 & 2
1986Kink: Hot Shots 6J.W. King
1991The Best of Colt Films: Part 10J.W. KingPosthumous released
1996The Best of Jon KingJ.W. KingPosthumous released
1999Bucky's XXX Rated All-Male Beavers: Locker Room Loops Vol. 1ManPosthumous released
2010Blue Vanities: Classic Gay Smut from the Past, Vol. 333J.W. KingPosthumous released

Legacy

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He is also commemorated on Block #01357 of the AIDS Memorial Quilt under his birth name, Jim Waldrop.[2]

References

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  1. ↑ "Pornstar Jim King: Solo" Skin Vol. 2 No. 6. Unique Imports Ltd. 1981. p. 105.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "James Waldrop Obituary". Texas Obituary. March 8, 2026.
  3. ↑ The Gay Decades: From Stonewall to the Present : the People and Events that Shaped Gay Lives. Plume. 1992. p. 163.
  4. ↑ "Face to Face" Skinflicks Vol. 1 No. 5. Janus Publishing Company, Inc. 1981. p. 20.
  5. ↑ "In Touch Adult Library" In Touch No. 79. In Touch, Inc. 1983. p. 96.
  6. 1 2 "Mr. Dallas Contest" (PDF). Houstan LGBT History. January 20, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Navy Discipline" Honcho Vol. 4 No. 19. Modernismo Publications, Ltd. 1982. p. 28.
  8. ↑ "Scatter Shots" Manshots Vol. 9 No. 3. FirstHand, Ltd. 1996. p. 4.
  9. ↑ "Dangerous Beards" Stallion Vol. 3 No. 4. Stallion Magazine. 1984. p. 5.
  10. ↑ "At the Movies: Should Jim King shave that beard?" Studflix Vol. 1 No. 6. Hudson Communications Group. 1983. p. 29.
  11. ↑ "Brothers Should Do It" Skinflicks Vol. 2 No. 4. MagCorp. 1982. p. 8.
  12. ↑ "Jeremy Scott's Interview" (PDF). GLBT Historical Society. February 10, 2026.
  13. ↑ "The Big Men on Campus" Skinflicks Vol. 2 No. 5. Janus Publishing Company, Inc. 1982. p. 6.
  14. ↑ "Pacific Coast Highway" Torso Vol. 1 No. 3. Torso Publishing Group. 1982. p. 98.
  15. ↑ "Palace of Pleasures" Skinflicks Vol. 1 No. 2. MagCorp. 1981. p. 10.
  16. ↑ "The Class of '84, Part II" Skinflicks Vol. 2 No. 3. Magcorp Publishing. 1982. p. 32.
  17. ↑ "Gold Rush Boys" Studflix Vol. 1 No. 6. Hudson Communications Group. 1983. p. 43.
  18. ↑ "Tightropes" Skinflicks Vol. 3 No. 3. Magcorp Publishing. 1983. p. 29.
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