Mike Heslin, Actor in ‘Lioness,’ Dies at 30

Mike Heslin, an actor who appeared in the series “Lioness” and in the TV movie “The Holiday Proposal Plan,” died July 2. His husband announced his death on Instagram, writing that the cause was a “sudden cardiac event.”

His husband, Scotty Dynamo (né Nicolas James Wilson) wrote that his death occurred after a week in the hospital. “Michael was young, in perfect health, and the doctors have no explanation for what happened,” Dynamo said.

He continued, “Michael was brilliant, selfless, talented, and a real-life guardian angel. He single-handedly carried me through multiple rounds of cancer. He was the first person everyone would call to share good news with, and he was the perfect person to call if they needed a shoulder to lean on or the best advice. He truly was the sweetest, most caring, and loving man on earth, and he brought out the absolute best in everyone who had the pleasure to cross paths with him. He moved through life with such ease and confidence, and turned everyone around him into a better version of themselves. No matter how difficult things got, we knew that there was nothing we couldn’t overcome with Mike in our corner.”

Dynamo wrote that the couple were planning on starting a family, saying “You would be the world’s most perfect father. If I ever become a dad, I am going to name my son after you and hope that I manage to raise him to become at least half the man you are.”

Heslin was an organ donor and had “given the gift of life to four different families,” Dynamo wrote.

In addition to playing Polo on two episodes of the Taylor Sheridan series “Lioness” in 2023, Heslin created and starred in the 2020 “The Influencers,” a scripted mockumentary which was nominated for a Queerty award and streamed on Prime Video.

He also appeared in the Christmas movie “The Holiday Proposal Plan” on Lifetime, the Noggin series “In Their Shoes: A Journey Into Homelessness” and on the series TV Land series “Younger.”

On the 2020 movie “Boy*Friends,” Heslin had a co-producing credit and co-starred as Rupert. His short film “Happy Halloween” won several awards at horror festivals including best first-time director.

Born in California, he earned a BFA in Directing from the Boston Conservatory, according to his official website.