Jonathan Joss, the celebrated Native American actor best known for voicing John Redcorn in the iconic animated series King of the Hill, was tragically shot and killed on June 1, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. He was 59 years old.
According to local authorities, the incident occurred on the city’s south side around 7 p.m. Police responded to reports of a shooting and discovered Joss at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite immediate medical efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after.
Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, had been visiting the site of their former residence, which had been destroyed by fire earlier this year. During the visit, an altercation reportedly broke out with a neighbor, identified as 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja. Witnesses claim Ceja approached the couple while shouting homophobic slurs before opening fire.
Ceja was arrested on-site and has since been charged with murder. While Kern de Gonzales has described the attack as a hate crime—citing a long history of threats and harassment—the San Antonio Police Department stated that, at this stage, no conclusive evidence has been found to confirm that the killing was motivated by the couple’s sexual orientation. The case remains under active investigation.
Jonathan Joss, of White Mountain Apache and Comanche descent, had a distinguished acting career rooted in bringing authentic Native American representation to film and television. Beyond King of the Hill, he appeared in Parks and Recreation as Chief Ken Hotate, Ray Donovan, Tulsa King, and voiced characters in major video games. He was also scheduled to reprise his role in an upcoming Hulu reboot of King of the Hill.
His death has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and among fans who cherished his work. Actor Nick Offerman, who worked with Joss on Parks and Recreation, expressed his deep sorrow, noting that cast members had been in communication throughout the day mourning their colleague.
Joss leaves behind a powerful legacy—not only as an actor but as a trailblazer for Native American voices in mainstream media. His presence will be sorely missed, both on screen and off.
For more information, you can watch the following news report:
