Jonathon Joss, best known for voicing John Redcorn on King of the Hill and playing Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation, was tragically shot and killed over the weekend, according to the San Antonio Police Department. He was 59 years old.
Born Jonathan Joss Gonzales, the actor also appeared in TV shows like ER, Charmed, and Friday Night Lights. In a past interview with Bwaaa! A King of the Hill Podcast, Joss reflected on his career, saying, “I’ve just been really lucky to have really decent parts. I’ve never done a bad thing when it comes to acting.”
Police responded to a “shooting in progress” call, where they found Joss near a roadway. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. A suspect, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, was arrested and charged with murder. His bond has been set at $200,000, with his first court appearance scheduled for August.
The San Antonio Police Department stated on X (formerly Twitter) that, despite online speculation, there is currently no evidence indicating the shooting was a hate crime based on Joss’s sexual orientation.
However, Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, shared a heartbreaking account on social media, alleging the attack was homophobic in nature. The couple had gone to visit the site of their old home—which had been burned down following years of threats, to check their mail. There, they found the skull of one of their dogs displayed in view, causing them deep emotional distress.
While they were grieving and vocalizing their pain, a man approached them shouting violent, homophobic slurs. According to Tristan, the man then raised a gun and fired. Joss pushed Tristan out of the way, saving his life but taking the fatal shot himself.
Tristan was by Jonathon’s side as he passed and shared how much he loved him.
A memorial service has not yet been planned, but Tristan said he will keep fans updated.
This tragic loss has shocked the entertainment community and fans alike as investigations continue.
