Heklina, an American actor, drag queen, and entrepreneur based in San Francisco, had a unique Icelandic heritage, with his mother being Icelandic, and him having lived in Iceland during the 1980s. He derived his drag persona's name from the Icelandic volcano, Hekla, paying homage to his roots. In 1996, he established Mother (formerly Trannyshack), a drag club that became a hub for local drag performers and a platform for Heklina's career as a drag queen. 

During his career, Heklina appeared in various movies and TV shows including "Filthy Gorgeous: The Trannyshack Story", "Spin the Bottle", and "Season of the Troll". He was also a regular on the House of Venus Show and appeared on popular talk shows such as "The Daily Show", "Ricki Lake Show", and "Jerry Springer". Additionally, Heklina was featured on reality TV shows like "Playing it Straight" and "The Cho Show" with Margaret Cho, and even made an appearance as a judge on Steve Harvey's show.  Heklina's death, which occurred on 3rd April 2023, was a tragic loss to the drag and entertainment industry. The cause of his death has not been publicly disclosed. 

When was Heklina born?

Heklina was born on June 17, 1968, in San Francisco, the United States, under the birth name Stefan Grygelko. Heklina was a mixed-race American citizen, with Icelandic heritage from his mother's side. In the 1980s, Grygelko spent some time living in Iceland, which inspired his drag persona's name, Heklina, named after the Icelandic volcano Hekla. Despite his public persona, Heklina had not shared any information about his parents or educational background. He celebrated her 54th birthday in 2022, and his sudden death in 2023 shocked her fans and the entertainment industry. 

How was the career of Heklina?

• Heklina, the co-founder of Trannyshack, had been an instrumental figure in the San Francisco drag scene for over two decades and had hosted the event series at the Stud bar since its inception in 1996 and continued to host special events throughout San Francisco and other cities in California. Trannyshack is the longest-running drag event series in San Francisco and has been praised for its inclusive and diverse representation of performers. Helkina's contribution to Trannyshack also included co-producing and co-hosting the highly acclaimed Miss Trannyshack Pageant, which has been sold out every year since its inception.
• In 2015, Heklina made a significant move by rebranding Trannyshack as Mother at The Oasis. The event series evolved from a monthly to a weekly show, providing a platform for drag performers to showcase their talents and further cementing Heklina's influence on the drag scene in San Francisco.
• Beyond her contributions to the drag scene, Heklina had also made her mark in the world of local theater productions. Heklina notably acted in the San Francisco Golden Girls productions, showcasing her versatility and range as an entertainer by playing the iconic role of Dorothy Zbornak. Additionally, Heklina had emceed various community and charitable events such as the Folsom Street Fair and San Francisco Pride, alongside Sister Roma. Heklina's immense contributions to the LGBTQ+ community had been recognized and celebrated, as evidenced by her being voted Community Grand Marshal of the 2004 San Francisco GLBTQ Pride Parade and winning the 2009 Pride Creativity Award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution.
• Heklina's talent and unique style had also been featured in a variety of film projects. Heklina co-starred in the "Tran-ilogy of Terror", a series of short films directed by long-time collaborator Peaches Christ, which are drag queen horror spoofs. Heklina also starred in the film "Baby Jane?" where Heklina showcased her versatility as an actress in a dramatic role. Before this, Heklina had also made several notable appearances in film and television, including her role in the documentary "Filthy Gorgeous: The Trannyshack Story" in 2005, which chronicled the history and impact of the legendary drag event series. Heklina also appeared in "The House of Venus Show" in 2006 and in the comedy film "Spin the Bottle" in 2005. Heklina's diverse range as an actress is showcased in her performances in "Season of the Troll" in 2001 and in "A Nightmare on Castro Street" in 2002. Heklina rounded out her filmography with a role in the mockumentary "Whatever Happened to Peaches Christ?" in 2004. 
• Throughout her career, Heklina made several appearances on various television shows. Heklina appeared on "The Cho Show" with Margaret Cho, a reality sitcom that aired in 2008. In 2009, Heklina played a nurse in the medical drama "Trauma". Heklina also made appearances on "The Daily Show", "Playing It Straight" in 2004, "The Ricki Lake Show", and on talk shows such as "Jerry Springer" and "Judge Steve Harvey". 
• The Oasis, situated in the SOMA district of San Francisco, is a renowned theater and cabaret nightclub that has been a major cultural hotspot since its grand opening on New Year's Eve day in 2014. The nightclub's purchase was made possible through a deal struck by Heklina and her business partners, D'Arcy Drollinger, Geoff Benjamin, and Jason Beebout in October 2014. The Oasis is known for its diverse programming that features drag performers, cabaret and performing artists, live musical acts, and DJs. 
• Heklina's talent and versatility in a variety of performances, including in "Mommie Queerest", a drag parody of the classic film Mommie Dearest alongside Peaches Christ. The duo has taken their show on the road, performing in Palm Springs and Seattle in 2022 to rave reviews. Their next stop is in London and Manchester in April 2023, where audiences can expect to be dazzled by Heklina's commanding stage presence and irreverent humor, along with Peaches' signature camp and wit. 

How did Heklina die?

On April 3, 2023, news broke that American actor Grygelko had been found dead by his co-star Peaches Christ in London. The cause of death is currently unknown and no further details have been released. Grygelko, aged 54 at the time of his passing, had a long career in film, television, and theater. He was known for his versatility and range as an actor, having portrayed a wide variety of characters throughout his career. He had also been a vocal advocate for various social and political causes, using his platform to raise awareness and promote change. His sudden and unexpected death was a shock to his fans and the entertainment industry as a whole.

The news of Grygelko's passing was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans, colleagues, and friends. Many took to social media to share their memories of him and express their condolences to his family. Grygelko's death is a reminder of the fragility of life and the impact that individuals can have on those around them. He will be remembered for his talent, passion, and the positive impact he made during his time in the public eye.

How much was Heklina's net worth?

Heklina was a renowned actor and entertainer who had a net worth estimated to be in between $5 million - $10 million at the time of his passing. He was widely recognized and appreciated for his contribution to the entertainment industry, and his wealth was a testament to his success in his profession.

Throughout his life, Heklina enjoyed a luxurious and comfortable lifestyle, thanks to his hard work and dedication to his craft. He was content with his earnings and lived his life to the fullest, surrounded by loved ones and admirers. Heklina's legacy as an accomplished entertainer and successful businessman will continue to inspire future generations.

Who was Heklina married to?

Heklina was unmarried during his whole life. Heklina was an openly gay man who never married or publicly disclosed being in a committed relationship. Therefore, he was assumed to be single at the time of his death. As a member of the LGBT community, Heklina was an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility, and his work as a drag queen and performer helped to raise awareness and acceptance of queer culture. Heklina's sexuality and gender expression were important parts of his identity and were central to his work as a drag queen and artist. He was open about his experiences as a gay man and used his platform to promote LGBTQ+ visibility and representation. Heklina's contributions to the queer community and his commitment to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights have made him a beloved figure in the drag and entertainment industry, and his legacy continues to inspire and empower individuals around the world. 

How tall was Heklina?

Heklina, the drag queen/artist, was known for his distinctive appearance and style. Standing at a height of 5 feet 7 inches or 1.70 m, he was a striking figure on stage and in person. Heklina's unique looks included his signature multi-colored hair, which he often dyed in a variety of bright and bold hues. Despite experimenting with different colors over the years, his natural hair color was brown, which he sometimes incorporated into his stage looks.

In addition to his colorful hair, Heklina was known for his daring and creative fashion sense. He often pushed the boundaries of traditional drag and embraced a more avant-garde aesthetic, incorporating everything from bold patterns and prints to futuristic metallics and glittery accents. Heklina's unique and boundary-pushing style made him a beloved and respected figure in the drag community, and his legacy as a fashion icon and trailblazer continues to inspire performers today.