‘King of the Hill’ and ‘Parks and Rec’ Actor Jonathan Joss Shot Dead in Tragic Incident

Jonathan Joss, known for voicing John Redcorn on King of the Hill and playing Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation, has tragically died after being shot in San Antonio, Texas. He was 59.

What Happened to Jonathan Joss?

Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a Facebook post, alleging that the shooting was a homophobic hate crime. According to Gonzales, the couple had returned to the site of their former home—destroyed in a suspicious fire earlier this year—when a man approached them, shouted homophobic slurs, and opened fire.

“Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving… When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life,” Gonzales wrote.

CBS reported, Joss was found near a road and later pronounced dead. It was also said that Gonzales held Joss when she died. He and Joss had just gotten married on Valentine’s Day and were looking for a trailer to start over. 

Police Investigation: Hate Crime or Not?

While Gonzales believes the attack was fueled by hate, San Antonio Police stated:

“Even though there were claims online that this was a hate crime, the investigation has so far found no proof that Mr. Joss’s murder was connected to his sexuality.”

A suspect, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Authorities have assured the public that the case remains under active investigation and that any new evidence could lead to additional charges.

Background: A Series of Threats and a House Fire

The shooting occurred at the site of the couple’s former home, which had burned down earlier in 2024. Gonzales revealed that they had endured two years of threats from locals, who allegedly told them they would burn the house down. During their return visit, they discovered the skull of one of their dogs, triggering an emotional reaction before the fatal shooting.

Remembering Jonathan Joss

Joss voiced John Redcorn on King of the Hill from 1997 to 2009 and was involved in the upcoming revival of the series, which will air on Hulu starting August 4. He also had a memorable role as Chief Ken Hotate on NBC’s Parks and Recreation.

“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.” – Mike Judge, Greg Daniels, and Saladin Patterson

Fellow Parks and Rec actor Nick Offerman also paid tribute:

“Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy.”

A Complicated Farewell

In recent months, Joss had expressed disappointment about not being invited to speak at the King of the Hill panel at the ATX Television Festival.

“That persona, that voice, that narrative… they served as my pride, my home, and my link to something greater than myself.” He said in April that “not being invited felt like being shut out of a place I helped build.”

He was reportedly in the audience during the panel just days before his death.

Final Thoughts

Jonathan Joss leaves behind a powerful legacy in Native American representation and voice acting. His tragic death has sparked debate over hate crimes and raised concerns about how vulnerable individuals in marginalized communities are treated.

While authorities look into things, the entertainment world grieves the passing of a guy whose voice and presence added cultural subtlety and charm to American television.