Actor Jonathan Joss is dead. He died in a shooting in Texas

Who was Jonathan Joss? Actor, musician, voice of Native Americans in Hollywood

Jonathan Joss was a character well known to fans of American animated and comedy series. His greatest popularity came with his role as John Redcorn in the cult animated series “King of the Hill.” He also starred as Chief Ken Hotate in the series “Parks and Recreation.” The actor was also an active musician and advocate for Native American issues in the entertainment industry.

Tragic death of an actor: shooting in Texas

The tragedy occurred on June 1, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. Jonathan Joss visited with his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, the site of a former house that burned down earlier in the year. There, there was a confrontation with a neighbor, Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez. The man allegedly insulted the couple with homophobic slogans, then fired fatal shots in Joss’ direction. The actor died on the spot, despite the quick response of emergency services.

Many months of harassment and suspected hate crime

According to information provided by Tristan Kern de Gonzales, the couple had already experienced hostility from their neighbors. A fire at their home in January 2025 was allegedly an act of deliberate arson, according to Joss. Despite reports to the police, no effective intervention was made. The actor’s death may now be considered a hate crime, which has stirred public opinion and the LGBT+ community in the US.

The film world says goodbye to Jonathan Joss: “An irreparable loss”.

The news of the actor’s death has caused a huge stir in the film community. Nick Offerman, the actor known for “Parks and Recreation,” admitted that the entire cast of the production cannot recover from the tragedy. Condolences were also expressed by the creators of the “King of the Hill” series, calling Joss “the irreplaceable voice of Native Americans in Hollywood.”

Jonathan Joss’ legacy – more than acting

Jonathan Joss has fought all his life for the dignified representation of indigenous communities in popular culture. He was involved in artistic and social projects aimed at increasing the visibility of marginalized cultures. His legacy will remain an inspiration for future generations of actors, activists and creators.

See also: Carl Dean – Dolly Parton’s husband and inspiration for “Jolene” – has died.