Tragic End Follows Year of Personal Loss for Native American Performer

Jonathan Joss, the acclaimed actor best known for voicing John Redcorn in the animated series King of the Hill, was tragically shot and killed at the age of 59 on June 1, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The incident occurred following a heated altercation with his neighbor, 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, who has since been arrested and charged with murder.

Police responded to reports of a shooting around 7 p.m. and found Joss lying near the roadway. Despite attempts at resuscitation, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Earlier this year, Joss faced profound personal tragedy when a fire destroyed his San Antonio home, a residence built by his father in 1957. The blaze claimed not only his childhood home but also the lives of his three beloved dogs. In a heartfelt Facebook post, Joss expressed resilience, stating, “We may have lost our home, but not our hope.”

Born on December 22, 1965, in San Antonio, Joss was of Comanche and White Mountain Apache descent. He pursued theater and speech at Our Lady of the Lake University and began his acting career in the early 1990s. Beyond King of the Hill, Joss was recognized for his role as Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation and appeared in various films and TV shows, including True Grit, The Magnificent Seven, and Ray Donovan.

In addition to acting, Joss was a musician, performing with The Red Corn Band, named after his iconic character. He was actively involved in the community and had recently participated in events promoting the upcoming King of the Hillrevival set to premiere on Hulu.

Joss is survived by his husband. His untimely death has elicited an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues alike.One fan remarked, “John Redcorn was pretty much the only contemporary Native representation I had in comedy growing up… RIP to one of the best to ever do it.”

As investigations continue, the entertainment world mourns the loss of a talented actor and cherished community member.

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How can communities work together to prevent such senseless tragedies and honor the legacies of those we’ve lost?