The Sad News About Jonathan Joss: Remembering John Redcorn's Voice And His Life Beyond King of the Hill

The world of animation and television recently lost a familiar voice. Jonathan Joss, known best for playing John Redcorn in King of the Hill, passed away on June 1 at 59 years old. This news came from a shooting in San Antonio. It is a truly sad moment for fans of his work and for those who knew him personally.

San Antonio police confirmed that officers were called to a shooting around 7 PM on a Sunday night. They found Joss near the road after he had been shot many times. Officers tried to save him. Medics arrived, but Joss was pronounced dead at the scene. The person who shot him ran away in a car but was stopped by officers a block away. This person has been charged with murder. The police investigation is still ongoing. Reports say Joss was shot by a neighbor after some kind of disagreement.

This tragic event follows an earlier hardship for Joss. Back in January of this year, he lost his home and two of his dogs in a fire. This house in San Antonio was special. It was the home Joss grew up in and was built by his father in 1957. He had been staying in a hotel at the time of the fire because of electricity problems at the house. Joss had said the home was vandalized. He also mentioned that he had been using a propane heater for warmth. He wondered if he had left something on, or if someone else had come in and done something. It sounds like he was going through a really tough time.

Understanding The Details Of Jonathan Joss's Shocking Death And The Controversy Around It

What Happened During The Shooting And The Conflicting Accounts From His Husband And Police

Jonathan Joss's husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, shared a powerful statement on Joss's Facebook page. He said that he and Joss were targets of harassment based on homophobia. He also claimed that their house burned down "after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire." De Gonzales wrote that Joss was "murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other."

De Gonzales explained they were checking the mail at their former home's site. They found the skull and harness of one of their dogs clearly visible. This caused them a lot of emotional pain. They started yelling and crying. At that point, a man came up to them. De Gonzales said this man yelled homophobic insults at them. Then he raised a gun and fired. De Gonzales stated that he and Joss had no weapons. They were not threatening anyone. They were grieving. He said Joss pushed him out of the way saving his life.

The San Antonio Police Department is looking into Joss's murder. However, they stated that "currently the investigation has found no evidence to indicate that the Mr. Joss’s murder was related to his sexual orientation." They added that their investigators take such claims very seriously and have reviewed all available information. This is a painful situation with different sides to the story. We can only hope for clear answers as the investigation continues.

Remembering Jonathan Joss's Voice Work And Other Notable Acting Achievements

His Iconic Role As John Redcorn And Other Characters Fans Loved To See On Screen

Jonathan Joss voiced John Redcorn from season 2 through season 13 of King of the Hill. He took over the role after the original actor, Victor Aaron, died in a car accident in 1996. Redcorn became a beloved character known for his calm demeanor, his musical talents, and his complicated relationship with Nancy Gribble. Fans will be glad to know that Joss had already recorded lines for the upcoming revival of the popular animated series. He will appear in episode 2 of the show's coming season 14 and possibly more. This means we will get to hear his voice again which is a small comfort.

The creators of King of the Hill Mike Judge Greg Daniels and Saladin Patterson released a joint statement. They said "His voice will be missed at ‘King of the Hill,’ and we extend our deepest condolences to Jonathan’s friends and family." This shows how much he meant to the team behind the show.

Besides his role on King of the Hill Joss was also recognized for his recurring role as Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation. Hotate was a dry-witted Native American tribal leader who often gave Leslie Knope very serious advice. Joss also appeared in the 2010 Coen Brothers’ film True Grit. His other acting credits include roles in shows like Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, Charmed, ER, and Friday Night Lights. He also did voice work for animated shows like The Wild Thornberrys and Justice League Unlimited. Gamers might recognize his voice from titles like Red Dead Redemption, The Walking Dead: Michonne, and Cyberpunk 2077. He truly had a wide range of work.

A Look Into Jonathan Joss's Life And His Connection To His Roots

From His Musical Talents To His Indigenous Heritage And San Antonio Upbringing

Jonathan Joss Gonzales was born on December 22, 1965, in San Antonio. He attended McCollum High School and later pursued higher education in theater and speech. He had Comanche and White Mountain Apache ancestry. His heritage was important to him. He was not just an actor but also a musician. He performed in The Red Corn Band, a clear nod to his famous character. This shows how much that role meant to him and how he carried it into his personal life. It is always good to see an actor connect so deeply with their work.

Just days before his death Joss made a public appearance at the ATX Television Festival in Austin for a King of the Hill reunion panel. During the event he spoke about the death of original star Johnny Hardwick. He also mentioned that he had recently lost his home in San Antonio to a fire. He expressed some displeasure about not being invited on stage initially. After a few moments he returned to his seat. This moment shows he was still actively involved with the show and its community right up until the end. It also gives us a glimpse into the personal struggles he was facing.

Jonathan Joss gave us many memorable performances. His voice as John Redcorn is something many people will never forget. His ability to bring characters to life on screen and through voice was truly special. His sudden death is a sad loss for the entertainment world and for everyone who enjoyed his talent. Our thoughts go out to his family, his husband, and his friends during this difficult time. He will be missed.