Jonathan Joss, the 59-year-old voice actor best known for his portrayal of John Redcorn on the long-running animated sitcom King of the Hill, was shot and killed on Sunday night in San Antonio, Texas. Police allege he was gunned down by a neighbor, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, after an argument turned violent. The suspect is now in custody on $200,000 bond.
Joss, a proud Texan of Native descent, had spent decades working in film, television, and video games. His most recent credited role was voicing characters in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty alongside Keanu Reeves and Idris Elba. He also lent his voice to the animated film Unplugged with an all-star cast that included Christina Ricci and the late Ed Asner.
But it was his role as John Redcorn — a soft-spoken healer and musician — that endeared him to millions. The character appeared in 12 seasons of King of the Hill, often at the center of a secret, long-running subplot that became iconic to fans of the show.
Just days before his death, Joss had appeared at the King of the Hill reunion panel at the ATX TV Festival in Austin. Though his brief stage moment was described as “rambling” by some, others saw it as a sign of his enduring connection to the series and its audience.
His final months were marked by personal hardship. In January, Joss lost his childhood home — the one built by his father in 1957 — in a fire. The blaze also claimed the lives of his three dogs and destroyed his car. A GoFundMe raised over $10,000 in the aftermath. Some neighbors claimed the fire was sparked when Joss tried to heat the home using a barbecue pit, after power was allegedly shut off due to the property being labeled unsafe.
His wife, Tristan Kern de Gonzales — whom he married on Valentine’s Day — said the couple had endured two years of harassment due to their relationship. She believes those circumstances ultimately led to his violent death.
Now, as the investigation continues, friends, fans, and former colleagues are left grappling with the shocking and senseless loss of a man whose voice defined a generation of television — and whose final days were filled with both hope and unimaginable tragedy.
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