Actor remembered for iconic voice role as John Redcorn and beloved appearances on TV
Jonathan Joss, best known as the voice of John Redcorn on the long-running animated series King of the Hill and for his recurring role as Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation, has died at age 59 following a fatal shooting in San Antonio, Texas.
The San Antonio Police Department confirmed that officers responded to reports of a shooting on Dorsey Drive on Sunday. Upon arrival, they found Joss near the roadside and immediately attempted life-saving measures. Emergency medical services pronounced him dead at the scene.
A suspect has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.
Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, confirmed the tragic news in a statement to the Associated Press. He revealed that the shooting occurred while the couple was checking mail outside their home, which had previously been damaged in a January fire that claimed the lives of their three dogs.
“Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life,” de Gonzales said.
Police later issued a statement saying there is currently “no evidence to indicate that Mr. Joss’s murder was related to his sexual orientation.”
Joss became a household name in animation after joining King of the Hill in its second season, taking over the role of John Redcorn following the death of original actor Victor Aaron in 1996. Joss voiced the character through the show’s 13-season run and was involved in Hulu’s upcoming reboot, which is set to premiere on August 4. Days before his death, Joss appeared at a sneak peek panel event at The Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas, where fans welcomed his return to the iconic series.
On NBC’s Parks and Recreation, Joss portrayed Chief Ken Hotate, the wise yet humorous leader of the fictional Wamapoke tribe, in a fan-favorite recurring role.
Jonathan Joss leaves behind a powerful legacy across television genres—from comedy to animation—celebrated for bringing indigenous characters to the screen with authenticity and humor.
