Fans of King of the Hill are reeling after the tragic news that Jonathan Joss, best known for voicing ‘John Redcorn’, was fatally shot on June 1, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The voice behind one of the show’s most culturally significant characters, Joss was 59 and visiting the site of his former home when he was gunned down in a suspected hate crime. The loss is deeply personal to communities who saw themselves reflected in the nuanced portrayal of John Redcorn. His voice gave dimension to Native American representation rarely seen on screen.
Who Was Jonathan Joss?
Jonathan Joss was more than the voice of John Redcorn, he was a champion of Native American visibility in television and film. His breakout role on King of the Hill brought nuance and quiet strength to a character often framed comedically but layered with social commentary. Off-screen, Joss was known for using his platform to advocate for Indigenous issues, often collaborating with other Native creatives and organizations that supported cultural preservation and rights.
Aside from King of the Hill, he appeared in Parks and Recreation as Chief Ken Hotate, another role that reflected his commitment to honest representation. His work was not only about acting, but it was about responsibility. In playing John Redcorn, he brought depth, dignity, and charisma to a character that could have easily been written off as a stereotype. Joss gave that role life, and through it, made a lasting cultural impact that resonated far beyond the animated world.
The Day He was Killed
On June 1, Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, returned to the location of their now-destroyed home to reflect and find closure. Earlier that year, a fire had taken everything they owned, and this visit was meant to be peaceful. Tragically, it became the site of Jonathan Joss’s final moments. A confrontation with a neighbor, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, turned violent when Ceja reportedly hurled homophobic slurs before pulling the trigger. Joss was shot and killed on the spot.
The suspect was arrested and charged with murder. According to reports, he admitted to the shooting almost immediately. While police have stated there is not yet enough evidence to officially classify it as a hate crime, Joss’s husband firmly believes this was a targeted, hateful act. The violent and senseless nature of the attack has reignited discussions about the intersection of homophobia, racism, and the unique risks faced by queer Indigenous individuals in America.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The loss of Jonathan Joss casts a long shadow, especially with communities that rarely see themselves reflected in mainstream media. The character of John Redcorn was a quiet challenge to lazy tropes and a window into issues like cultural erasure and identity. With Joss’s death, that legacy feels both more valuable and more vulnerable. It raises questions about how we protect the voices that elevate the underrepresented communities and the spaces that allow those voices to thrive.
Public response has been swift and emotional, with tributes pouring in from fans, fellow actors, and organizations. Chris Pratt, Joss’s Parks and Rec co-star, called him “a kind and generous soul”. But beyond the condolences, there is a growing demand for justice and awareness. The story of John Redcorn continues, not in animation, but in how we confront the real-world issues his character symbolized. It is not enough to mourn, we must amplify what Joss stood for.
Final Thoughts
Jonathan Joss’s tragic death is a gut punch. Not only because we lost the voice of John Redcorn, but because we lost a passionate advocate, a cultural bridge, and a human being who mattered deeply to many. His work gave presence and dignity to Native stories in an industry that still often ignores them. The senseless violence that took his life is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by queer and Indigenous people across the country. Honoring his memory means refusing to let John Redcorn fade into nostalgia. It means carrying forward his voice, louder than ever.
