Jonathan Joss, best known for his voice work as John Redcorn on the animated series King of the Hill, was the victim of a tragic shooting on Saturday. At only 59, he was still young and vibrant. A felony assault charge stemming from a heated argument with a neighbor turned into a tragic murder charge. He was struck by multiple gunshot wounds, injuries that later took his life.
The shooter, who has been identified as 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, is currently in local police custody. According to news reports, the fight seemed to turn violent very quickly, leading to the deadly confrontation. Joss passed away from his wounds a few days after the shooting, shocking fans and co-workers alike.
Joss’s career extended beyond King of the Hill, where he was a key voice actor throughout the show’s 13 seasons. He appeared in several notable projects, including the television series Walker, Texas Ranger and films such as True Grit, The Magnificent Seven, and The Forever Purge.
In a deeply ironic twist, Joss had just gone through his own trauma. To make matters worse, earlier this year he suffered the tragic loss of his home and beloved dogs during the tragedy of a fire. Despite these trials, he maintained a positive outlook, sharing on social media, “We may have lost our home, but not our hope.”
Just days before his terrible all-too-early death, Joss was registering great enthusiasm for a concert he had lined up. He took to Facebook to share his enthusiasm: “Last night’s gig was amazing – huge thanks to everyone who came out and showed us love!”
The grief from the news of Joss’s passing has rightfully been profound, from his fans on through his friends and former colleagues. Here’s just some of the ways that entertainers and artists have used social media to remember his impact and contributions to the entertainment industry. His instantly recognizable voice as well the memorable characters he created will be missed greatly.