Fans of King of the Hill are reeling after learning that Jonathan Joss, the iconic voice behind John Redcorn, was shot and killed outside his home in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday, June 1. He was 59.
According to police, officers responded to a call around 7 p.m. and found Joss lying near the side of the road. Emergency crews tried to save him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Not long after, police arrested 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, a neighbor of Joss, who had taken off in a vehicle. Authorities confirmed that Cejam has been booked for murder, though they’re still digging into what exactly led up to the tragic shooting.
The news hit fans especially hard because just hours before his death, Joss posted a video on Instagram about how excited he was to reprise his role in the King of the Hill reboot. The revival is slated to premiere on Hulu this August, and Joss was set to return as the fan-favorite character he made his own.
Joss stepped into the role of John Redcorn starting in Season 3, after the original actor, Victor Aaron, died in a car crash. He brought the character to life for the rest of the show’s run through the late ’90s and early 2000s. With the reboot right around the corner, his death feels especially sudden and heartbreaking.
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Beyond King of the Hill, Joss had a pretty impressive resume. He popped up in several TV shows and movies over the years, including a recurring role on Parks and Recreation as the hilarious and memorable Chief Ken Hotate. You might’ve also caught him in Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, the Coen brothers’ True Grit, and the 2016 remake of The Magnificent Seven.
TMZ was the first to break the news, and at this point, officials haven’t revealed much about what may have motivated the shooting. What’s clear is that the entertainment world just lost a unique voice and presence as he was preparing for a long-awaited return to the spotlight.
While King of the Hill has always had its fair share of quirky, beloved characters, Joss’s portrayal of John Redcorn struck a chord with fans. His mix of dry humor, sincerity, and that unmistakable voice made the character unforgettable.
Now, instead of celebrating his comeback, fans are left mourning the sudden loss of a voice actor who brought authenticity and warmth to everything he touched. As more details come out, many are remembering Joss not just for his roles, but for the passion he had for his work, even sharing that excitement with fans just hours before his life was cut short.
As investigations continue, the hope is that answers will bring some closure. In the meantime, Joss’s legacy lives on through the characters he gave life to—and the stories he helped tell.