The entertainment industry is mourning the loss of one of its finest, Ron Cephas Jones. The veteran actor, famed for his performance as William "Shakespeare" Hill on NBC's hit drama This Is Us, has died at the age of 66. Known for his profound emotional range and stage presence, Jones succumbed to a long-standing pulmonary issue, confirmed by his representative Kaitlyn Horton to <a href="https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2023/08/19/this-is-us-actor-ron-cephas-jones-dies-at-66/70634878007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USA TODAY.</a> "His warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness and heart were felt by anyone who had the good fortune of knowing him," read an official statement, underscoring the immense talent and aura Jones carried with him. He was a two-time Emmy winner and was especially cherished for his role on This Is Us, where he played a father who reconnects with his son Randall Pearson, portrayed by Sterling K. Brown. <img class="size-full wp-image-1263225176" src="https://img.vt.co/2023/08/GettyImages-693646138.jpg" alt="" width="908" height="1024" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: Jason LaVeris / Getty]] Jones had his share of health challenges, including a double lung transplant in 2020 due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Despite these obstacles, his commitment to his craft never wavered. "One of the most wonderful people the world has ever seen is no longer with us," wrote Brown in an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CwJSevkPWTV/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram post</a>, adding, "The world is a little less bright. Brother, you are loved. And you will be missed." Although Jones' role was more significant during the initial seasons of This Is Us, he made appearances across all six seasons, thanks to the show's time-jumping narratives. Creator Dan Fogelman paid tribute by <a href="https://twitter.com/Dan_Fogelman/status/1693054459570495661" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeting</a>, "Ron was the best of the best − on screen, on stage, and in real life. My God: what an actor." Before capturing the hearts of millions on TV, Jones was a stalwart of the theater scene. He returned to Broadway even after his health challenges forced him to relearn basic skills like breathing and walking. "The idea of not performing again seemed worse to me than death," he confessed in a 2021 interview with <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/02/theater/ron-cephas-jones-broadway-clydes.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The New York Times.</a> A New Jersey native, Jones originally aimed for a career in jazz but switched to theater during his time at Ramapo College. His career got a boost in the 1980s in New York, particularly at the Nuyorican Poets Café. He later won a 2022 Drama Desk Award for his Broadway role in Lynn Nottage's Clyde's and received a Tony nomination. Jones' expansive career also includes guest roles on TV shows like Mr. Robot, Luke Cage, and Lisey's Story, along with film appearances in Half Nelson with Ryan Gosling and Dolemite Is My Name featuring Eddie Murphy. Survived by his daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Ron Cephas Jones leaves behind an indelible legacy. His life story, marked by triumphs and tribulations, will continue to inspire fans and aspiring actors, both on and off the stage. <h6>Featured image credit: David Crotty / Getty</h6>

'This Is Us' actor Ron Cephas dies at 66

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