Wikipedia

Jonathan Joss

Not to be confused with Jonathan Ross.

Jonathan Joss (December 22, 1965 – June 1, 2025) was an American actor and musician of Native American ancestry. He was best known for his roles as John Redcorn in King of the Hill and as Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation.

Jonathan Joss
Joss in 2017
Born(1965-12-22)December 22, 1965
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
DiedJune 1, 2025(2025-06-01) (aged 59)
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Cause of deathHomicide via Gunshot
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Actor
  • musician
Years active1993–2025
Spouse
Tristan Kern de Gonzales
​
​
(m. 2025)​

Early life

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Joss was born on December 22, 1965, in San Antonio, Texas,[1] to a family of Comanche and White Mountain Apache descent.[2][3][4] His parents owned and operated a Mexican restaurant.[5] Joss attended McCollum High School, graduating in 1984.[6] He enrolled at Texas State University–San Marcos (then Southwest Texas State University), but left before graduating. Joss later attended San Antonio College, before graduating from Our Lady of the Lake University with a degree in theater and speech.[7]

Career

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In 1994, he appeared on the television series Walker, Texas Ranger.[8] Joss provided the voice of John Redcorn from seasons 2 to 13 of the animated series King of the Hill, replacing the original actor Victor Aaron after Aaron's death in 1996.[9] He also portrayed the recurring role of Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation.[4]

Joss was a musician, and performed as part of The Red Corn Band, a reference to the character he voiced in King of the Hill.[10][11] In later seasons, inspired by Joss's offscreen performances, writers for King of the Hill introduced the fictional band Big Mountain Fudgecake, which Joss's character leads.[12] He collaborated with the Graywolf Blues Band on the songs "Boogey Man" and "Still No Good", which were released on Graywolf Blues Band's album Dancing in the Rain.[12]

In 2011, Joss launched a line of spice rubs.[5][6]

Before his death in June 2025, Joss returned for the King of the Hill revival series and had begun recording.[13] On June 1, just hours before his death, he uploaded an Instagram video of himself walking around Austin and noting how he already recorded lines for four King of the Hill episodes.[13]

At the time of his death, he was writing a Western graphic novel titled Two Sides to Every Coin.[14]

Final months

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House fire

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On January 23, 2025, Joss's San Antonio home was destroyed in a fire, killing three of his dogs (with a fourth missing). It had earlier been vandalized, and electrical problems led Joss and his husband to stay in a hotel.[15][16] Joss says he was using a propane heater and had left the house. "Mistakes happen, man. And it's my fault for, I guess, leaving something on", Joss said. "Or if somebody came in and did something, who knows?"[15]

Joss married Tristan Kern de Gonzales on February 14, 2025.[17]

Joss was not invited to the King of Hill panel featuring other cast members from the show during the 2025 ATX TV Festival in Austin, Texas.[18] In a Facebook post that was later deleted, he said he was not invited to attend.[19] However, he showed up in the audience instead.[19] Joss got up to a microphone setup for a Q&A session whereupon he told the audience that his house had burned down and that it was "because I'm gay." Afterwards he was escorted out by security.[20]

A day before his death, Joss appeared on a King of the Hill fan podcast and answered questions. When asked whether he was sober, his reply was "No... I've already lost everything, my house burnt down. I ain't going to give up drugs. I ain't going to give up drinking. They're my friends." He also revealed on the podcast that he had spent time in mental wards.[21]

Police complaints and death

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Despite years of complaints about Joss to the city of San Antonio, and 311, neighbors stated that police had done little.[22][23] In total, police were called to Joss' home 74 times from January 2024 to June 2025.[24] The reasons for the calls include complaints by neighbors about fires, thefts, nine calls in regard to shootings, six calls for mental health, and five calls for welfare checks.[25] One neighbor told KSAT 12 News that her family and other neighbors had had tense conversations with Joss for decades, that he would frequently yell and make strange statements, like that his neighbors were going to go to hell because they're sinners and God is on his side, or that all the children on his street were going to die.[26] Other neighbors also reported that Joss' behavior was erratic, and that he sometimes appeared outside in the street while yelling.[27]

On June 1, 2025, Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, were driven by a woman to their burned-down home to check the mail.[28] A half hour before his death, Joss was recorded by a neighbor holding a pitchfork walking up and down the street yelling.[26][27] A neighbor told KSAT that a vehicle pulled up alongside the men and Joss spoke with the driver.[26] A confrontation occurred between Joss and another neighbor, with whom Joss had been feuding and according to a witness who reported hearing three gunshots and seeing Joss with wounds to his neck and torso.[29] He was pronounced dead at the scene.[18] A suspect was arrested shortly afterward and reportedly told police, "I shot him", after being taken into custody.[30][28]

Neighbors told a local television station that Joss and the suspect had often argued for several years but that no violence had previously occurred.[31] A previous incident on June 8, 2024, resulted in the suspect calling police, saying Joss was brandishing a crossbow.[28] On May 24, 2024, reports of gunfire resulted in police confiscating Joss's firearms.[32]

Gonzales posted on Facebook that the day they returned to their burned house, they found the skull and harness of one of their dogs, leading to "severe emotional distress".[33] Gonzales said the murder suspect yelled "violent homophobic slurs" before opening fire and that Joss pushed Gonzales out of the bullet's path, saving his life. Gonzales said neither he nor Joss was armed.[34] Additionally, Gonzales said that various people in the area had for years verbally assaulted them with homophobic slurs and threats to burn down their home.[35][36] Gonzales described the attack as a homophobic hate crime, stating that the neighbor "started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired."[37][38]

The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) released an initial statement saying that no evidence of a hate crime had yet been found but that the investigation was still ongoing, although they later retracted this statement and publicly denounced it as “premature”.[39][40] According to Gonzales, the couple had reported homophobic harassment "to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done".[41] The SAPD also confirmed that Joss had been a part of neighborhood conflicts and that the police mental health unit had made "repeated efforts to mediate conflicts and connect him with services that he may have needed".[42]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1994 8 Seconds Medic Del Rio [43]
Texas Commanche [43]
1998 Almost Heroes Bent Twig [43]
Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World Additional voices Direct-to-video
1999 Impala John Eagle Claw
2001 Christmas in the Clouds Phil [43]
2004 Johnson Family Vacation Casino Host [43]
2010 True Grit His Tongue in the Rain [43]
2016 The Magnificent Seven Denali [43]
2021 Grow Up Judge Robert Lightfoot
The Forever Purge American Indian on TV Final film role[44]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1994 The Substitute Wife Black Deer Television film[1]
Without Consent Attendant No. 2 Television film[1]
Walker, Texas Ranger Young Raymond Firewalker[43] 6 episodes[44]
Texas Comanche Television film[43]
1996 Dead Man's Walk Kicking Wolf Miniseries[43]
1998–2009, 2025 King of the Hill John Redcorn (voice) Main cast;[43] recorded four episodes for the revival[45]
1998 Winnetous Rückkehr Wash-Ti Television film[46]
1999 The Wild Thornberrys Ooloopie, Polar Bears (voice) Episode: "Polar Opposites"[47]
2003 Charmed Brutish Demon Episode: "Baby's First Demon"[43]
2004 ER Bert Episode: "Time of Death"[43]
2005 Justice League Unlimited Sheriff Ohiyesa 'Pow Wow' Smith (voice) Episode: "The Once and Future Thing, Part One: Weird Western Tales"[47]
Into the West Wovoka Episode: "Ghost Dance"
2006 Maldonne Nico Television film
2008 Comanche Moon Kicking Wolf 2 episodes[48]
In Plain Sight Joseph Parker Episode: "Pilot"[44]
2010 Friday Night Lights Owney Episode: "Kingdom"[1]
2014 The League Takoda Episode: "Man Land"[1]
Manhattan Love Story Driver Episode: "Happy Thankmas"
2011–2015 Parks and Recreation Ken Hotate[45] 5 episodes[37]
2015 The Messengers Mason Dakota Episode: "Eye in the Sky"[1]
2016 Ray Donovan Lou 3 episodes[1]
2019 Chartered George Herrera Pilot[1]
2021 Bridgewater Joseph Hoskins Podcast series
2022 Tulsa King Bad Face[44] 2 episodes[45]

Video games

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Year Title Voice role Notes
1996 Santa Fe Mysteries: The Elk Moon Murder Raymond Wolfwalker [49]
1997 Santa Fe Mysteries: Sacred Ground Richard Whitefeather [50]
2000 King of the Hill John Redcorn [51]
2010 Trauma Team Hank Freebird
Red Dead Redemption The Local Population [52]
2016 The Walking Dead: Michonne John Fairbanks [47]
2019 Days Gone Alkai Turner [47]
2020 Wasteland 3 Payaso Wannabe [53]
2023 Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Robert Rainwater [54][55]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Vlessing, Etan (June 2, 2025). "Jonathan Joss, 'King of the Hill' Voice Actor, Dies at 59 After Shooting". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  2. ^ Horton, Adrian (September 3, 2022). "'It's a completely new day': the rise of Indigenous films and TV shows". The Guardian. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  3. ^ Cruz, Lenika (February 19, 2016). "The U.S. May Finally Get a TV Network for Native Americans". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Corbiere, Keith (December 27, 2019). "The hilariously honest depictions of Indians in NBC's Parks and Recreation". Anishinabek News. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Jakle, Jeanne (May 18, 2011). "Jeanne Jakle: S.A.'s Joss spicing things up". San Antonio Express-News. Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Mahoney, Noi (August 18, 2011). "Jonathan Joss wants to spice up BBQ, taste buds". San Antonio Express-News. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  7. ^ Rodriguez, Katherine (November 9, 2010). "Jonathan Joss Actor and OLLU Alumnus". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  8. ^ Cripe, Michael (June 2, 2025). "King of the Hill and Parks and Recreation Actor Jonathan Joss Dies Aged 59 Following Shooting". IGN. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  9. ^ Jakle, Jeanne (December 9, 2014). "S.A. Actor Joss Cracks Up 'Parks and Recreation' Cast". San Antonio Express-News. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022.
  10. ^ Allen, Sanford (August 7, 2009). "Made in SA: Jonathan Joss has the specs on the big screen Jonah Hex". Missions Unknown. Archived from the original on May 2, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  11. ^ ♫ Still No Good – The Red Corn Band. Listen @cdbaby. CD Baby. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  12. ^ a b Tahmahkera, Dustin (March 5, 2013). "Actor Jonathan Joss Talks 'Parks and Rec,' 'King of the Hill,' and His NAMA Nomination". Indian Country Today. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  13. ^ a b Esquibas, Liza (June 2, 2025). "King of the Hill Voice Actor Jonathan Joss Dies at 59 After Being Fatally Shot: Police". People. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  14. ^ Bonomolo, Cameron (June 10, 2025). "Jonathan Joss Was Working on a New Project With a King of the Hill Writer When He Died". ComicBook.com. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  15. ^ a b Parker, Kolten (January 23, 2025). "'King of the Hill,' 'Parks and Rec' actor loses San Antonio home, dogs in fire". KSAT-TV. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  16. ^ Kotisso, Nate (January 29, 2025). "Turning the page: San Antonio rallies around 'King of the Hill' actor who lost South Side home, dogs in fire". KSAT-TV. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  17. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (June 2, 2025). "Jonathan Joss, actor known for 'King of the Hill' and 'Parks and Recreation,' dies in shooting". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  18. ^ a b "Jonathan Joss of 'King of the Hill,' 'Parks and Rec' killed in San Antonio shooting, sources say". KSAT-TV. June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  19. ^ a b Youngs, Ian (June 3, 2025). "Jonathan Joss: King of the Hill's John Redcorn actor shot dead". BBC News. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  20. ^ Blackwelder, Carson; O'Brien, Kristen (June 2, 2025). "'King of the Hill' Star Jonathan Joss Was Escorted Out of ATX TV Festival Panel 2 Days Before His Death". People. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  21. ^ Kamnetz, Taylor (June 3, 2025). "Jonathan Joss' final interview was recorded just one day before death". San Antonio Express-News.
  22. ^ Calberg, Sue (June 2, 2025). "'We cried out... and nothing ever got done' | 'King of the Hill' actor walked neighborhood with pitchfork, neighbors say". WFAA. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  23. ^ Ede-Osifo, Uwa (June 3, 2025). "San Antonio police: No evidence Jonathan Joss fatal shooting is 'hate crime'". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  24. ^ Karlis, Michael (June 3, 2025). "San Antonio police were called to Jonathan Joss' home 74 times before shooting death". San Antonio Current. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  25. ^ Preyor-Johnson, Nancy M. (June 3, 2025). "SAPD: No evidence of hate crime in actor Jonathan Joss's killing; 74 prior calls to home logged". San Antonio Express-News. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025.
  26. ^ a b c Webber, Katrina; Bermea, Azian (June 4, 2025). "'I knew something was going to happen': Woman captures video of an agitated Jonathan Joss just before his murder". KSAT-TV.
  27. ^ a b "'King of the Hill' actor walked neighborhood with pitchfork, neighbors say". KENS. June 2, 2025. Archived from the original on June 4, 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  28. ^ a b c Salinas, Rebecca (June 3, 2025). "'I shot him': Suspect admitted to killing actor Jonathan Joss amid ongoing feud, report states". KSAT-TV. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  29. ^ Aguirre, Priscilla (June 3, 2025). "SAPD: Joss' shooting death was not 'related to his sexual orientation'". San Antonio Express-News. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  30. ^ Preyor-Johnson, Nancy (June 2, 2025). "Reports: King of the Hill voice actor Jonathan Joss shot dead in San Antonio". San Antonio Express-News. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  31. ^ Suarez, Lucia I (June 2, 2025). "Jonathan Joss, 'King of the Hill' voice actor, shot and killed in San Antonio, police say". CBS News. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  32. ^ Gambert, Robert; Warner, Jessica (June 3, 2025). "'I shot him' – Suspect admitted fatal shooting of Jonathan Joss, according to report". KABB. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  33. ^ Abreu, Danielle (June 3, 2025). "Jonathan Joss' husband claims 'King of the Hill' actor's killing was 'homophobic' attack". NBC New York. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  34. ^ Lozano, Juan A. (June 3, 2025). "'King of the Hill' voice actor Jonathan Joss fatally shot outside his Texas home". Associated Press. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  35. ^ Moreau, Jordan (June 2, 2025). "Jonathan Joss, 'King of the Hill' Actor, Dies in Shooting at 59". Variety. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  36. ^ Burke, Sammi (June 2, 2025). "Jonathan Joss' Husband Breaks Silence on the Horrific Altercation That Took the 'King of the Hill' Actor's Life". Parade. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  37. ^ a b Vigdor, Neil (June 2, 2025). "Jonathan Joss, 'King of the Hill' Voice Actor, Is Fatally Shot by Neighbor, Police Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  38. ^ de Guzman, Chad (June 3, 2025). "Actor Jonathan Joss Dies at 59". Time. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  39. ^ "Jonathan Joss, 'King of the Hill' Voice Actor, Killed in Shooting". Today. June 3, 2025. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  40. ^ Goodman, Rachel (June 6, 2025). "Police retract 'premature' hate crime denial in Jonathan Joss shooting - National". Global News. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  41. ^ Nash, Tammye (June 2, 2025). "Gay actor Jonathan Joss shot to death in San Antonio". Dallas Voice. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  42. ^ "Police consider whether 'King of the Hill' actor's sexual orientation played a role in his killing". ABC News. Archived from the original on June 6, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  43. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Jonathan Joss". TCM Movie Database. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  44. ^ a b c d Katie Campione; Patrick Hipes; Natalie Oganesyan (June 2, 2025). "'King Of The Hill' Actor Jonathan Joss' Husband Says Fatal Shooting Came After "Openly Homophobic" Harassment & Home Arson". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  45. ^ a b c "Actor Jonathan Joss, known for King of the Hill and Parks and Recreation, fatally shot in Texas". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Associated Press. June 2, 2025. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  46. ^ "Winnetous Rückkehr". FilmBooster.
  47. ^ a b c d "Jonathan Joss (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  48. ^ Elizarraras, Jess (June 2, 2025). "Who is Jonathan Joss? The San Antonio actor through the years". San Antonio Express-News.
  49. ^ Activision. Santa Fe Mysteries: The Elk Moon Murder (MS-DOS/Windows). Activision. Level/area: End credits. Supporting Cast [...] Raymond Wolfwalker – Jonathan Joss
  50. ^ Activision. Santa Fe Mysteries: Sacred Ground (MS-DOS/Windows). Activision. Level/area: End credits. Supporting Cast [...] Richard Whitefeather – Jonathan Joss
  51. ^ Flying Tiger. King of the Hill (Windows). Fox Interactive. Level/area: End credits. Voice Talent [...] Jonathan Joss
  52. ^ Rockstar San Diego. Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360). Rockstar Games. Level/area: End credits. The Local Population [...] Jonathan Joss
  53. ^ inXile Entertainment. Wasteland 3 (Windows). Deep Silver. Level/area: End credits. VOICE OVER [...] Jonathan Joss – Payaso Wannabe
  54. ^ Flowers, Viola; Mullen, Austin; Cohen, Rebecca (June 2, 2025). "Jonathan Joss, 'King of the Hill' voice actor, killed in San Antonio shooting". NBC News. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025. His most recent acting credit was in 2023 for voicing a character in the "Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty" video game.
  55. ^ Varela, Ramón (June 3, 2025). "Asesinan al actor Jonathan Joss en un ataque homófobo: Participó en juegos como Cyberpunk 2077 o Days Gone" [Actor Jonathan Joss is murdered in a homophobic attack: He participated in games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Days Gone]. Vandal (in Spanish). El Español. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025. trabajó en la Phantom Liberty, la expansión de Cyberpunk 2077. [worked on Phantom Liberty, the expansion for Cyberpunk 2077.]
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