Jonathan Joss, the beloved voice behind John Redcorn in King of the Hill, has tragically died after being shot multiple times in Texas.
San Antonio police confirmed the 59-year-old actor was killed on Saturday (May 31) following what TMZ described as “a heated argument” with a neighbor.
Officers responded to the scene while the shooting was still in progress and found Joss near the road with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to police reports, the suspected shooter, 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, has been detained and charged with first-degree murder. His bond is currently set at $200,000, and a court date has been scheduled for August.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, said the actor was “murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other”.
"Jonathan is my husband. He gave me more love in our time together than most people ever get. We were newlyweds. We picked Valentines Day. We were in the process of looking for a trailer and planning our future," he continued. "I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved.”
However, the San Antonio Police Department later stated that “no evidence” has been found to indicate the shooting was motivated by Joss’s sexual orientation.
“SAPD investigators handle these allegations very seriously and have thoroughly reviewed all available information. Should any new evidence come to light, the suspect will be charged accordingly,” the department said.
The late actor first rose to prominence in the late ‘90s when he took over the role of John Redcorn in King of the Hill after the death of original actor Victor Aaron in 1996.
He voiced the character from season two through the show’s end in 2010, and had even recorded new material for a reboot set to air later this year.
Per Variety, series creators Mike Judge, Greg Daniels, and Saladin Patterson paid tribute in a joint statement: “Jonathan Joss brought King of the Hill’s ‘John Redcorn’ to life for over a dozen seasons, including in the upcoming revival. His voice will be missed at King of the Hill, and we extend our deepest condolences to Jonathan’s friends and family.”
Joss’s impact went beyond animation. He was known to Parks and Recreation fans as Chief Ken Hotate, appearing opposite Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman.
Offerman, who played Ron Swanson, said: “Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate.” He described the loss as a “terrible tragedy” and said the cast had been “texting together about it all day and we’re just heartbroken.”
Chris Pratt, who acted alongside Joss in The Magnificent Seven remake, shared his sorrow: “Always such a kind dude. Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones," The Independent reported.
In addition to True Grit, The Forever Purge, and Ray Donovan, Joss also had a musical side, performing in The Red Corn Band - a nod to his iconic animated role.
Just days before his death, he posted: “Last night’s gig was amazing – huge thanks to everyone who came out and showed us love! We’re feeling so grateful for the support and good vibes.”
Fans took to social media to mourn the loss. “I’m never going to forget how incredibly kind you always were to me. You were a pivotal part of my childhood, and John Redcorn will ALWAYS live on,” one wrote. Another said: “Jonathan Joss... unfathomably sad. Sending all my thoughts to his loved ones.”