Tragic Death of ‘King of the Hill’ Voice Actor Jonathan Joss
King of the Hill actor shot: Jonathan Joss, known for voicing John Redcorn, was tragically killed in a San Antonio shooting Sunday. He was 59.
Shooting Confirmed by San Antonio Police
The San Antonio Police Department confirmed officers responded to a shooting around 7 p.m. Joss was found near the road suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite efforts by officers and medics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspected shooter fled but was arrested a block away and has been booked for murder. The investigation remains ongoing.
Allegations of a Hate Crime
Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, shared a heartbreaking statement on Facebook. He revealed that they had been victims of prolonged homophobic harassment, which escalated to their house being burned down.
De Gonzales stated they returned to their former home to check the mail and discovered the skull of one of their dogs placed in plain sight. During their emotional response, a man approached them, yelled homophobic slurs, and opened fire. Joss reportedly pushed his husband out of the line of fire, saving his life.
Legacy as John Redcorn in ‘King of the Hill’
Jonathan Joss began voicing John Redcorn from Season 2 through the end of King of the Hill in Season 13. He had also recorded new lines for the upcoming Season 14 revival, where he appears in at least the second episode.
Creators Mike Judge, Greg Daniels, and Saladin Patterson issued 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, and we extend our deepest condolences to Jonathan’s friends and family.”
Recent Public Appearance and Emotional Tribute
Just days before his death, Joss appeared at the ATX Television Festival during a panel celebrating the King of the Hill revival. He gave an impromptu tribute to co-star Johnny Hardwick, then voiced displeasure at being left out of the main panel.
He also mentioned that he had recently lost his San Antonio home to a fire, a detail later confirmed by his husband’s statement.
Highlights of My Career Outside of Animation
Joss has starred in films including True Grit and The Magnificent Seven, as well as television episodes like Ray Donovan and Tulsa King. Her most notable performances were as Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation.
Calls for Justice and Community Mourning
Outpourings of sadness and demands for justice have been triggered by Jonathan Joss’s untimely death. The fact that his death is being looked into as a potential hate crime highlights the perils LGBTQ+ people in America still face.
Source: Variety
Leave a comment