Jonathan Joss, widely known for voicing John Redcorn on King of the Hill and playing Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation, is being hailed as a hero after his tragic death in a shooting incident in San Antonio, Texas. He was 59.
According to San Antonio police, Joss was shot outside his home on Dorsey Drive on Sunday. Officers responding to the scene found him near the road and attempted life-saving measures before paramedics arrived. Joss was pronounced dead shortly afterward. A suspect has been arrested on suspicion of murder as investigations continue.
Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, confirmed the actor’s death and shared heartbreaking details of the encounter. In a statement to the Associated Press, de Gonzales said the couple had been checking their mail when a man confronted them with a firearm.
“Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving,” said de Gonzales, referencing the January house fire that destroyed their home and killed their three dogs. “We were standing side by side. When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life.”
San Antonio police later stated that there is currently no evidence suggesting that the murder was motivated by Joss’s sexual orientation.
Beyond the tragic circumstances of his death, Joss is being remembered for his groundbreaking contributions to Native American representation in television. He joined King of the Hill in its second season following the death of original voice actor Victor Aaron, and remained with the show until its conclusion. He also featured in the upcoming reboot of the series, set to premiere August 4 on Hulu. Just days before his passing, Joss appeared at a sneak peek panel at The Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas.
Jonathan Joss’s legacy as both a cultural voice and a real-life hero now stands as a powerful testament to his character—on screen and off.
