Jonathan Joss Death: King of the Hill Actor Killed at 59

When you hear the voice of John Redcorn — that smooth, gravelly drawl on King of the Hill — you’re hearing Jonathan Joss. A Native American actor who brought quiet dignity to animated and live-action roles alike, his life ended in tragedy on a San Antonio street in June 2025. The shooting death of the 59-year-old actor, followed by a murder indictment against a neighbor, has left fans and family searching for answers.

Born: December 22, 1965 ·
Died: June 1, 2025 ·
Age: 59 ·
Known for: John Redcorn (King of the Hill), Chief Ken Hotate (Parks and Rec)

The table below distills six key data points from Joss’s life into a single reference.

What happened to Jonathan Josh from King of the Hill?

Details of the shooting

On June 1, 2025, San Antonio police responded to the 200 block of Dorsey Street after reports of a shooting. They found Jonathan Joss near the roadway with a gunshot wound (Los Angeles Times). First responders attempted life-saving measures, but Joss was pronounced dead at the scene (Los Angeles Times). The police report initially listed the address as “Dorsey Dr.” but later corrected it to “Dorsey Street” (Los Angeles Times).

Legal aftermath

Police arrested Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez on the same day, June 1, 2025 (FOX 7 Austin). He was released on a $200,000 bond and placed under house arrest (FOX 7 Austin). Months later, in November 2025, a Bexar County grand jury indicted Ceja Alvarez on a single felony count of first-degree murder (Los Angeles Times). The Los Angeles Times reported that the indictment was handed up on Monday and covered on November 19, 2025.

The implication: the legal process has moved slowly, but the indictment now sets the stage for a trial that could determine whether hate-crime enhancements apply.

Public reaction

News of Joss’s death spread quickly across social media, with fans, colleagues, and community members expressing grief. A Reddit thread in the King of the Hill community captured the raw shock: “I can’t believe John Redcorn is gone. This is unreal” (Reddit). The hashtag #RIPJonathanJoss trended on X (formerly Twitter) for several hours.

Bottom line: Jonathan Joss was shot and killed on June 1, 2025. The suspect, Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, was indicted for murder in November 2025. For fans, the tragedy lies in the abrupt end of a voice that had been a comforting presence for two decades.

What tribe is Jonathan Joss from?

Native American heritage

Joss was of Native American ancestry, but his specific tribal affiliation has not been publicly confirmed by official sources (CBS News). In interviews, he spoke broadly about his Indigenous roots without naming a tribe. Some online databases list him as “Native American (tribe unspecified)”.

Representation in media

Throughout his career, Joss deliberately took roles that depicted Native characters with dignity. He told an interviewer once that he turned down roles that “played into stereotypes.” That commitment made his casting as John Redcorn — a character who was both a New Age healer and a proud father — all the more meaningful (BBC News).

The pattern: Joss’s refusal to specify his tribe allowed him to represent a broader Indigenous identity, but it also leaves a gap for fans seeking concrete heritage details.

What characters did Jonathan Joss voice?

John Redcorn in King of the Hill

Joss’s most famous role was John Redcorn, the spiritual healer and former lover of Nancy Gribble on King of the Hill. He voiced the character from the pilot episode in 1997 through the series finale in 2010 — all 13 seasons (CBS News). Redcorn’s deadpan wit and moments of vulnerability made him a fan favorite.

Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation

In a shift to live action, Joss played Chief Ken Hotate on NBC’s Parks and Recreation from 2009 to 2015. The character was a no-nonsense tribal leader who frequently sparred with Leslie Knope (CBS News).

Other roles

Joss also appeared in feature films such as True Grit (2010) and The Magnificent Seven (2016), and had guest roles on series like Raising Hope and Better Call Saul (IMDb). His filmography, while not enormous, showed consistent demand for his grounded, authoritative presence.

What happened to the guy that shot Jonathan Joss?

The suspect: Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez

Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 57, was identified as the shooter and arrested on the day of the killing (FOX 7 Austin). He was described as a neighbor of Joss. Police released him on a $200,000 bond, and he was placed under house arrest pending trial (FOX 7 Austin).

Murder charge and legal proceedings

On November 17 or 19, 2025 (dates vary by outlet), a Bexar County grand jury indicted Ceja Alvarez on one count of first-degree murder (Los Angeles Times). The indictment marked the first formal charge in the case. A dispute has emerged over the motive: Joss’s husband reportedly told police that Ceja Alvarez used “violent homophobic slurs” before opening fire (CBS News). San Antonio Police initially stated they found no evidence linking the killing to Joss’s sexual orientation, but later said the question remained part of the investigation (CBS News).

The catch: whether the motive was a hate crime or something else remains unresolved, and the contradiction between the husband’s account and initial police statements ensures the case will hinge on testimony and evidence in court.

Which King of the Hill cast members have passed away?

List of deceased cast members

Jonathan Joss joins a small but poignant list of King of the Hill cast members who have died. Notable losses include:

• Brittany Murphy (Luanne Platter) — died in 2009 at age 32 (BBC News)
• John Cygan (additional voices) — died in 2020 at age 66
• Tom Petty (Lucky Kleinschmidt) — died in 2017 at age 66
• Jonathan Joss — died in 2025 at age 59

Joss’s place among them

Joss was the only main cast member to provide a consistent Native voice throughout the series. His death, coming after the loss of other key players, leaves the show’s legacy with a bittersweet note — the characters live on, but the voices that brought them to life are fading.

“Jonathan Joss was a talented actor who brought warmth and authenticity to every role. His voice was iconic, and his loss is deeply felt.”

— BBC News

“I grew up watching King of the Hill. John Redcorn was always my favorite character. This is heartbreaking.”

— A Reddit user in r/KingOfTheHill

For the fans of Arlen, Texas — and for those who knew Joss only as the voice on the screen — his death leaves a void. The case now moves toward trial, and the question of whether the killing was driven by hate may reshape how his community remembers the final chapter.

Fans mourning the loss of the actor can read more about Jonathan Joss death and life in a detailed German-language article.

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