Actor Jonathan Joss killed in Texas shooting

Jonathan Joss, a Native American actor, has died at 59. He was best known for voicing John Redcorn on King of the Hill. He also played Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation.

Joss was shot in San Antonio, Texas, on June 1, 2025. This happened near his former home, which had burned down earlier this year.

He and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, were visiting the site. They were confronted by a neighbor named Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja.

Witnesses say Ceja shouted homophobic slurs before opening fire. Joss was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ceja has been arrested and charged with murder. The investigation is ongoing. Joss's husband believes it was a hate crime due to prior threats against them.

“Jonathan saved my life,” de Gonzales wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post about that day.

Joss had Comanche and White Mountain Apache heritage. He was known for advocating Indigenous representation in entertainment.

He took over as John Redcorn after the original actor died. He recorded new lines for the King of the Hill reboot set to premiere in August 2025.

Besides voice work, Joss appeared in films like The Magnificent Seven and True Grit. He also launched a barbecue spice line called “King of the Grill.”