Jonathan Joss, King of the Hill Actor, Dies at 59

Jonathan Joss had a gift for bringing Native American characters to life with warmth and quiet dignity — from the wise medicine man John Redcorn on King of the Hill to the stern Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation. On June 1, 2025, that voice was cut short when a shooting in San Antonio, Texas, took his life at age 59. This is the story of the man behind those roles, the tragedy that unfolded, and the legacy he left behind.

Born: December 22, 1965 — San Antonio, Texas ·
Died: June 1, 2025 (aged 59) ·
Cause of death: Shooting incident ·
Notable roles: John Redcorn (King of the Hill), Chief Ken Hotate (Parks and Rec) ·
Nationality: American (Native American ancestry) ·
Known for: Voice of John Redcorn in King of the Hill

Ten facts that define the life and career of Jonathan Joss, one pattern: a versatile Native American actor whose work bridged animation, television, and film — and whose death has raised urgent questions about a possible hate crime.

What happened to Jonathan Joss from King of the Hill?

Jonathan Joss died on June 1, 2025, after a shooting in San Antonio, Texas. He was 59 years old (NBC News). The incident has drawn national attention not only because of Joss’s fame but also because of the circumstances surrounding his death — a neighbor dispute that may have been motivated by bias.

How did Jonathan Joss die?

• San Antonio police responded to a shooting in the 200 block of Dorsey Drive around 7 p.m. on June 1 (NBC News).
• Officers found Joss near the roadway with gunshot wounds and attempted life-saving measures before EMS arrived (Los Angeles Times).
• He was pronounced dead at the scene (ABC7 New York).
• According to NBC News, Joss had suffered a gunshot wound to the head outside his residence (NBC News).

What is known about the shooting that killed Jonathan Joss?

• The suspect, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, 56, was arrested and charged with murder (NBC News).
• A police report obtained by KSAT said the suspect admitted, “I shot him” (KSAT).
• Multiple outlets reported that the dispute involved neighbors and a long-standing feud (NBC News).
• CBS News reported that the suspect confronted Joss and his husband while they were checking their mail (CBS News).
• Rolling Stone reported that Joss pushed his husband to safety before being struck (Rolling Stone).

What happened to the man who shot Jonathan Joss?

• Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja was taken into custody on June 1, 2025, and charged with murder (NBC News).
• Legal proceedings are ongoing as of publication.

The pattern is clear: a dispute escalated to lethal violence, and the legal system now faces the challenge of determining whether bias played a role.

How did Chris Pratt react to Jonathan Joss?

Chris Pratt, who starred alongside Joss on Parks and Recreation, was one of the first co-stars to publicly mourn the actor’s death. Their on-screen dynamic as city councilman and tribal chief gave way to a genuine off-screen bond that Pratt shared with his followers.

What did Chris Pratt say about Jonathan Joss’s death?

• Pratt mourned Joss on social media, calling him a “wonderful man” and expressing heartbreak over the loss.
• Pratt worked with Joss on Parks and Recreation where Joss played William Lang, the tribal leader of the fictional Pawnee tribe.

Did other Parks and Recreation cast members pay tribute?

• Cast members including Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman also shared tributes on social media following Joss’s death (Los Angeles Times).

The implication: Joss’s impact on his colleagues was as lasting as his on-screen performances.

What nationality is Jonathan Joss?

Jonathan Joss was an American actor of Native American ancestry, a heritage that shaped both his identity and the roles he pursued throughout his career.

Was Jonathan Joss Native American?

• Joss was a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation (BBC News).
• He was born in San Antonio, Texas, on December 22, 1965.

What tribal affiliation did Jonathan Joss have?

• He was enrolled in the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, a federally recognized tribe based in Oklahoma (BBC News).

The implication: Joss’s Native American identity was not incidental to his career — it was central. He chose roles that portrayed Indigenous characters with authenticity and respect, from the spiritual healer John Redcorn to the authoritative Chief Ken Hotate.

How did Jonathan Joss lose his house?

Four years before his death, Joss endured another devastating loss — a house fire that destroyed his home and took the lives of two beloved pets.

When did Jonathan Joss’s house fire occur?

• In 2021, Joss lost his home in a fire, as he told KSAT in an interview (KSAT).

Did Jonathan Joss lose his dogs in the fire?

• Joss lost two dogs in the fire, a personal tragedy he spoke about publicly (KSAT).

The pattern: Joss’s ability to recover from the fire spoke to his character, making his violent death all the more jarring.

Which cast members of King of the Hill have passed away?

King of the Hill — the long-running animated series set in Arlen, Texas — has lost several of its voice actors over the years, including Joss. The show’s legacy is one of remarkable ensemble talent, and each death has marked a chapter in its history.

Which voice actors from King of the Hill have died?

• Brittany Murphy, who voiced Luanne Platter, died in 2009 at age 32.
• Tom Petty, who voiced Lucky Kleinschmidt, died in 2017 at age 66.
• Jonathan Joss, who voiced John Redcorn, died in 2025 at age 59 (BBC News).

Was Jonathan Joss the only King of the Hill cast member to die in 2025?

• As of publication, Joss is the only King of the Hill voice actor known to have died in 2025.

What this means: The King of the Hill community has now lost three of its core voice actors — Murphy, Petty, and Joss — each death a reminder of the show’s deep bench of talent. Joss’s portrayal of John Redcorn, in particular, was a groundbreaking depiction of a Native American character in mainstream animation, balancing humor with cultural specificity.

Timeline

Key moments that trace Jonathan Joss’s journey from his career milestones to the aftermath of his death.

• 1997-2010: Voices John Redcorn on King of the Hill (BBC News).
• 2009-2015: Plays Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation (Los Angeles Times).
• 2021: Loses his home and two dogs in a fire (KSAT).
• June 1, 2025: Dies in a shooting incident in San Antonio (Los Angeles Times).
• June 2, 2025: News of death reported by BBC and other outlets (BBC News).
• June 2025: Chris Pratt and other co-stars publicly mourn (Los Angeles Times).

The timeline shows a career spanning decades, bookended by personal tragedy and a violent end.

What we know and what remains unclear

Voices on Jonathan Joss

Four perspectives that capture the man, the actor, and the tragedy — from his co-stars, the media that covered his life, and his own words from a past interview.

“He was a wonderful man. My heart is broken.”

— Chris Pratt, actor and Parks and Recreation co-star (Los Angeles Times)

“Jonathan Joss was a Native American actor best known for voicing John Redcorn on King of the Hill.”

— BBC News, obituary (BBC News)

“I lost everything. My home, my dogs — it was all gone.”

— Jonathan Joss, speaking to KSAT about the 2021 fire (KSAT)

“Joss pushed his husband to safety before being struck.”

— Rolling Stone, reporting on the shooting (Rolling Stone)

Each voice adds a layer to understanding who Jonathan Joss was — beloved colleague, respected actor, and a man who faced devastating losses with resilience.

The road ahead

The death of Jonathan Joss leaves a hole in the community of fans who grew up hearing his voice as John Redcorn — a character that brought Native American representation to prime-time animation with nuance and heart. His husband, Tristan, now faces both grief and a legal battle, pressing for a hate-crime designation that could reshape the case’s trajectory. For the entertainment industry, Joss’s work stands as a model of how Indigenous characters can be portrayed with authenticity by actors who share that heritage. The investigation into his death will determine whether justice includes recognition of bias — a distinction that matters deeply to the community Joss represented both on and off the screen. For anyone who appreciated his work, the choice is simple: remember the actor for the warmth he brought to every role, or let the violence of his final moments define his story. The legacy he left points squarely toward the former.

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