Jonathan Joss, the actor best known as the voice of John Redcorn on “King of the Hill,” was shot and killed over the weekend in what his husband is calling a hate-fueled murder.
Joss, 59, was found near the road with multiple gunshot wounds in San Antonio, Texas. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police arrested 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja and charged him with murder.
Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, said the shooting was a “homophobic hate crime.” The couple had returned to the site of their former home — which burned down in January — to check their mail. What they found devastated them.
“When we returned to the site to check our mail we discovered the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view. This caused both of us severe emotional distress. We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw,” Gonzales wrote in a statement on Joss’s Facebook page.
That’s when, Gonzales said, a man approached and began hurling homophobic slurs.
“He then raised a gun from his lap and fired,” he said. “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.”
Joss had suffered a string of tragedies in recent months. His childhood home — the one his father built for his mother in 1957 — burned down earlier this year, along with all his possessions and the couple’s three beloved dogs.
“He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other,” Gonzales said. “I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved.”
Just hours before the shooting, Joss was in Austin bringing “The Redcorn Experience” to fans — a night of live music, stories, and connection. “We’re bringing stories, laughs, music, and that unmistakable Redcorn energy to the heart of Texas for one unforgettable night,” Joss wrote in a May 25 Facebook post.
After the event, Joss and his husband were looking for a ride back to San Antonio. “Last night’s gig was amazing — huge thanks to everyone who came out and showed us love! We’re feeling so grateful for the support and good vibes,” Joss posted. His final message: “Our ride will arrive in a few hours thank you everyone we are grabbing some food and feeling thankful for the support.”
The couple had recently married on Valentine’s Day and were trying to rebuild their lives. Gonzales said they had reported repeated threats to police — including people in the area who said they would set the house on fire. “We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done,” he said.
Joss had a long list of screen credits beyond “King of the Hill,” including Parks and Recreation, Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, True Grit, and The Magnificent Seven. He took over the voice of John Redcorn after the original actor, Victor Aaron, died in a car crash in 1996.
Fans and friends have been mourning the loss of a beloved voice and presence.
“They took my brother away from me man…Jonathan Joss aka John Redcorn….i love you brother until i see you again,” one fan wrote on X.
“John Redcorn was pretty much the only contemporary Native representation I had in comedy growing up. Probably the funniest Native character in cartoon history and a lot of that was on Jonathan Joss’ pitch perfect rezzy uncle performance. RIP to one of the best to ever do it,” another posted.
Joss is survived by his husband, Tristan — and by fans who saw him not just as a character, but a voice that mattered.
