When Brent Corrigan – the stage name of Sean Paul Lockhart – suddenly vanished from social media in June 2022, fans were left with nothing but questions.
No goodbye. No explanation. Just silence from one of the adult entertainment industry’s most controversial and beloved figures. And for nearly three years, nobody knew why.
Some speculated he’d finally left the spotlight for good. Others worried something had gone terribly wrong.
As it turns out, those concerns weren’t entirely misplaced.
This week, just days before his 39th birthday, Corrigan finally broke his silence with a thread on X (formerly Twitter) that’s already making waves. And the story he shared? It’s equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring.
Who Is Brent Corrigan?
For those who might not remember the name, Brent Corrigan (born Sean Paul Lockhart on Halloween 1986 in Lewiston, Idaho) first burst onto the scene in the mid-2000s as one of the most recognizable faces in adult entertainment.
But his rise to fame was anything but typical.
In 2005, major controversy erupted surrounding his earliest work for Cobra Video, owned by producer Bryan Kocis. The revelations sent shockwaves through the industry, resulting in his first films being pulled from circulation and sparking legal scrutiny.
What followed was a bitter legal battle between Lockhart and Kocis over the rights to the “Brent Corrigan” name – a dispute that would take a dark and unexpected turn.
A Tragic Turn of Events
On January 24, 2007, Bryan Kocis was found dead in his Pennsylvania home under suspicious circumstances. The investigation quickly led authorities to two rival producers, Harlow Cuadra and Joseph Kerekes.
Prosecutors argued they had killed Kocis to eliminate competition and secure the opportunity to work with Corrigan, who had become one of the industry’s biggest draws.
Corrigan himself was never implicated in the crime. He cooperated fully with authorities and testified at the trial, helping to secure life sentences for both killers. But the incident thrust him into a media spotlight he never asked for – and one that would follow him for years to come.
Hollywood Comes Calling (Sort Of)
By 2010, Corrigan had announced his retirement from adult entertainment, pivoting toward mainstream acting. He appeared in small roles in films like Gus Van Sant‘s Oscar-nominated Milk (2008), the comedy Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild!, and the indie thriller Judas Kiss (2011), which earned him a Rising Star Award at the Philadelphia QFest Festival.
He also directed and starred in the mystery-thriller Triple Crossed (2013), showcasing his ambitions beyond performing.
Then came King Cobra.
The 2016 film brought Corrigan’s story – or at least Hollywood’s version of it – to the big screen.
Director Justin Kelly assembled an impressive cast: Garrett Clayton took on the role of Corrigan, while Christian Slater portrayed Bryan Kocis (renamed “Stephen” in the film).
James Franco played one of the killers, with Molly Ringwald and Alicia Silverstone rounding out the ensemble as Kocis’s sister and Corrigan’s mother, respectively.
Based on a book by Andrew E. Stoner and Peter A. Conway, the film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2016. IFC Films quickly snapped up distribution rights, releasing it in theaters and on demand that October.
Critics were divided. Some praised it as a “rock-solid dark comedy” with strong performances, while others dismissed it as exploitative and lacking substance. The film currently holds a 49% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
But the harshest critic? Corrigan himself.
He was reportedly approached to play a supporting role in the film but declined. And once he read the script, his concerns only deepened.
“I didn’t want to be a part of that film if they weren’t going to tell my story,” he told YouTube personality Davey Wavey in 2016. “I read the script – and it wasn’t my story.”
Corrigan was particularly frustrated with how the film portrayed both the circumstances of the crime and his experiences in the industry. He felt the filmmakers had taken too many liberties with the truth, sacrificing accuracy for dramatic effect.
He later condemned the filmmakers for what he called “bastardizing” his life and has been vocal about his disappointment ever since. To this day, he’s never watched the finished product – and he’s made it clear he has no intention of doing so.
The film’s release marked yet another chapter in Corrigan’s complicated relationship with fame, adding a Hollywood biopic to an already extraordinary – and often painful – life story.
The Vanishing Act
After years of maintaining an active social media presence and occasional appearances, Corrigan’s last post appeared in June 2022. Then… nothing.
No tweets. No Instagram updates. No explanations.
For nearly three years, one of the most talked-about figures in LGBTQ+ entertainment simply disappeared, leaving fans and followers to speculate about what might have happened.
Some assumed he’d finally stepped away from public life entirely. Others worried something more sinister had occurred. Given his history of trauma and public struggles, the silence was particularly unsettling.
The Return
On June 15, 2025, Corrigan briefly reappeared on X with just an emoji and a short video clip of himself saying hello. That simple post alone garnered more than 4,000 likes – a testament to how many people had been wondering about his whereabouts.
About a month later, on July 20, he shared a photo of himself on horseback (a longtime passion of his), mentioning an upcoming race with his horse, Cowboy.
But it wasn’t until this week – October 25, 2025, just days before his 39th birthday on Halloween – that Corrigan finally revealed the truth about his three-year absence.
In a heartfelt thread addressed to his “Lover B’s” (his affectionate term for fans), Corrigan shared what can only be described as a harrowing medical crisis.
On February 17, 2023, he suffered a massive seizure and was rushed to the hospital, where he was immediately placed on life support. The situation was dire – doctors couldn’t register any brain activity.
What happened next defied the odds. Through what Corrigan describes as “some strange miracle,” the medical team managed to save his life. But surviving was only the beginning.
He spent months in recovery, having to relearn basic functions that most of us never think twice about – walking, eating, and other fundamental daily activities. By July 2023, he was finally able to leave the hospital and rejoin the world, but life looked dramatically different.
“Ever since, life’s been a lot different,” he wrote, “but I’ve been very blessed to be surrounded by my amazing family and friends who have all helped me to ease back into a daily routine.”
In a testament to his resilience, Corrigan even mentioned that he’s been riding horses again – a hobby he’s cherished for years.
“Believe it or not, I even started riding horses,” he shared. “And if you know where to look, you can still find me out having a good time on weekends.”
A Story of Survival
The response to Corrigan’s revelation has been overwhelming. Fans have flooded his mentions with messages of support, amazement, and relief.
And honestly? Can you blame them?
This is a man who’s survived exploitation, legal battles, being unwillingly thrust into a murder investigation, professional setbacks, and now a near-death medical crisis that left him fighting to relearn how to walk.
Most people would crumble under a fraction of that weight. But here’s Corrigan – approaching 39, back on horseback, and ready to reconnect with the world that wondered where he’d gone.
Welcome back, Sean. We’re glad you’re still here.