‘Lioness’ actor dies at age 30

Mike Heslin, the actor best known for “Special Ops: Lioness,” has died. He was 30.

His husband, Scotty Dynamo, announced the tragic news on Instagram on Saturday.

Dynamo said Heslin died of “an unexpected heart attack,” but that “doctors have no explanation for what happened.”

Mike Heslin at the screening of “A Christmas To Treasure” on December 6, 2022. Getty Images for The Ninth House VIP Screening of “A Christmas To Treasure”
Mike Heslin. Instagram / @mikeheslin

“On July 2nd my husband, best friend and soulmate @mikeheslin passed away from an unexpected heart attack after a week long battle in the hospital,” Dynamo began his post.

“Michael was young, in perfect health, and the doctors have no explanation for what happened,” he added.

The artist called Heslin a “brilliant, selfless, talented and true guardian angel” and praised the late actor for helping him overcome cancer.

Scotty Dynamo’s tribute to Mike Heslin. Instagram / Scotty Dynamo

“He was truly the sweetest, most caring and loving man on the planet, and he brought out the very best in everyone who had the pleasure of crossing his path,” Dynamo wrote. “He moved through life with such ease and confidence, transforming everyone around him into a better version of themselves. No matter how tough things got, we knew there was nothing we couldn’t overcome with Mike in our corner.”

Scotty Dynamo and Mike Heslin. Instagram / Scotty Dynamo
Scotty Dynamo and Mike Heslin. Instagram / @mikeheslin

He continued, “Michael, meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me. You are my world. You are everything to me. When I felt you take your last breath, my heart broke into a million pieces. If I had the power to trade places with you, I would do it in a heartbeat. But I will take it one day at a time, like you always told me, and live each day in your honor.”

Dynamo also revealed that the couple, who tied the knot in November 2023, were “in the early stages of starting a family” before Heslin’s death.

Scotty Dynamo and Mike Heslin at their wedding. Instagram / Scotty Dynamo

“You were the most generous and giving person,” Dynamo added. “It gives me peace to know that through your desire to be a donor, you gave the gift of life to four different families. I know you are in a better place and heaven has gained a new angel.”

Mike Heslin in “The Vacation Proposal Plan.” Lifetime

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover Heslin’s funeral and hospital expenses, and has raised more than $58,000 as of Sunday.

“There are many ways to define a person and their impact, and Mike is so many beautiful things to so many people. But the word we keep coming back to is Helper. In that Mike spirit, it’s time for us to be the Helpers,” a post on the page reads in part.

Mike Heslin. Instagram / @mikeheslin

According to his IMDb, Heslin made his acting debut in 2014 in the Showtime series “7 Deadly Sins.”

Last year, he appeared in two episodes of the Paramount+ series “Special Ops: Lioness” from “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan.

The show paid tribute to Heslin on Instagram, writing: “We are heartbroken to hear of the passing of Mike Heslin. Our thoughts are with his friends, family and his husband Scott during this difficult time.”

“Special Ops: Lioness” posted about Mike Heslin after his death. Instagram / Lioness

Heslin also starred in the TVLand show “Younger” and the Lifetime TV movie “The Holiday Proposal.”

He created, wrote, directed and starred in the 2020 mockumentary series ‘The Influencers’.

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