Roman Mercury, a popular adult film star, has passed away at the age of 45. The news of his death was confirmed by his close friend and fellow adult performer, Greg Dixxon, who shared the heartbreaking information with Out magazine. Dixxon, who had worked alongside Mercury in numerous adult films, also revealed personal details about the talented performer, shedding light on his character and legacy.
Mercury’s passing was first made public on February 27 in an emotional post by Dixxon on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “With profound sadness, we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of @romanmercury_,” Dixxon wrote. “Roman left us unexpectedly, leaving behind a legacy of passion, talent, and kindness that touched the lives of so many around the world.” He continued, noting that Mercury’s family would spread his ashes in the ocean near his favorite place in Southern California. “Roman, you will always be missed, but never forgotten!” Dixxon added.
Photo: X/@GregDixxon
Due to the informal nature of the announcement and the tragic news of another adult performer’s death that followed shortly after, Mercury’s passing did not receive the immediate attention it deserved in the media. However, Dixxon later spoke in greater detail about his friendship with Mercury, offering a more intimate understanding of the man behind the performer.
Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Mercury had spent many years living and working in the United States. His career in the gay adult film industry flourished as he starred in 89 films for major studios. Over the years, Mercury built a devoted following of fans, amassing over 400,000 followers on X/Twitter, as well as popular pages on platforms like OnlyFans and JustFor.Fans. He was also poised to receive his first-ever GayVN Awards nominations in 2025.
Dixxon, who first met Mercury in 2010, shared fond memories of their time together, both on and off the set. “I was first attracted to him by his signature black arm band; the tall, dark, handsome Brazilian looks; and, after chatting, his charm,” Dixxon recalled. Their first night together, they filmed a scene, but the chemistry between them wasn’t limited to the camera. Afterward, they went to In-N-Out Burger, where they bonded over dinner and got to know each other better. “Roman was married to a man whom he loved dearly, had an interest in music production, and had a gymnastics training background,” Dixxon shared. “I thought to myself, ‘Isn’t this 6’2″ muscle man a bit tall for gymnastics?'”
However, the man behind the captivating performer had also faced personal challenges. Dixxon shared that Mercury’s husband tragically passed away the previous year, a loss that deeply affected him. “Sadly, Roman’s husband passed away last year, leaving him lonely and crushed,” Dixxon explained. “Even in the midst of this loss, Roman was very persistent, intelligent, and organized.”
Dixxon further revealed that Mercury’s cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease, which led to a heart attack. “Although his physical heart had issues, his spiritual heart always shined by helping others,” Dixxon said. “I’d like to believe that he is now in the heavens back with his husband.”
Beyond his work in adult films, Mercury was known for his professionalism and passion for his craft. Dixxon described him as someone who “made a big statement in the adult film industry with his professional studio shoots and collaboration fan-page work.” Mercury was also known for his willingness to learn and grow within the industry. “His goal was to entertain the viewer with something memorable,” Dixxon said. “And being smart, he wasn’t a know-it-all. He was willing to learn and share experiences, which helped other creators.”
One of Dixxon’s most cherished memories with Mercury was during a dinner at a Palm Springs restaurant. After filming the Grabbys-nominated Executive Order with Raging Stallion director Steve Cruz, Dixxon and his partner Bruce Jones took Mercury to their favorite restaurant, The Tropicale. There, Mercury surprised them by speaking Russian to the waitress, revealing that he spoke four languages, including Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian. He had learned Russian while training for gymnastics in Russia.
The last time Dixxon saw Mercury in person was at the AVN Awards in Las Vegas, just weeks before his death. Although they had planned to go out that night, the two never did. In a final text message, Mercury had referred to Dixxon as his “favorite daddy” and expressed excitement about changing the roles in their upcoming shoot. “That was the last time I saw him,” Dixxon recalled, visibly emotional.
Mercury’s death marks a tragic loss for the adult film industry, as well as for the many fans and colleagues who admired him. His legacy will live on not only through his films but through the personal connections he made along the way. As Dixxon concluded, “Roman was so much more than his work in the adult industry. His legacy shall live on.”
