Voice Actor Jonathan Joss Fatally Shot in Texas

Voice Actor Jonathan Joss Fatally Shot in Texas \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Voice actor Jonathan Joss, known for portraying John Redcorn on King of the Hill, was fatally shot near his San Antonio home. His husband says the attack involved homophobic slurs, though police have not confirmed a hate crime. A suspect has been arrested and charged with murder.

Quick Looks

• Joss was fatally shot outside his Texas home on June 2
• Known for voicing John Redcorn on King of the Hill
• Husband says attack involved homophobic threats and slurs
• Couple was checking mail when the shooter confronted them
• Joss pushed his husband out of the way, saving his life
• Suspect identified as 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja
• Police have not classified the murder as a hate crime
• Joss and his husband had recently survived a house fire
• Three dogs died in the fire; Joss lost all belongings
• Joss appeared in Parks and Recreation and Tulsa King
• Had just promoted the King of the Hill reboot in Austin
• Fans and husband remember him as a loving, humble soul

Deep Look

Jonathan Joss, the veteran voice actor best known for bringing the character John Redcorn to life on the animated series King of the Hill, was fatally shot near his home in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday, June 2, authorities confirmed. He was 59 years old.

San Antonio police said officers were dispatched around 7 p.m. on a report of a shooting in progress. They found Joss wounded near the street outside his home. Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, confirmed his death in a message to the Associated Press and later issued a powerful statement describing the moments leading up to the shooting. The two were married earlier this year on Valentine’s Day.

According to de Gonzales, the couple had just arrived to check the mail at Joss’s property, which had been badly damaged by a fire in January—a fire that also killed their three dogs and destroyed all of Joss’s possessions, including his vehicle. While standing outside together, a man allegedly approached them and began yelling violent homophobic slurs, ultimately pulling out a gun.

“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,” de Gonzales said.

Police have arrested 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja and charged him with murder. Ceja is currently being held in the Bexar County Adult Detention Center. Court records do not indicate whether he has legal representation.

While Joss’s husband believes the shooting was motivated by hate, authorities have not officially designated the killing a hate crime. “Our investigation has found no evidence whatsoever to indicate that Mr. Joss’s murder was related to his sexual orientation,” San Antonio police said in a statement. “Should any new evidence come to light, we will charge the suspect accordingly.”

This isn’t the first time Joss and his husband faced harassment. De Gonzales noted that the couple had endured repeated targeting, much of it openly homophobic. That context has fueled calls from supporters for authorities to more deeply examine the motivation behind the attack.

Joss, a proud San Antonio native, had a notable acting career spanning television, film, and voiceover work. He gained national recognition for his 13-season run on King of the Hill, voicing Native American healer John Redcorn from 1997 until the show’s conclusion in 2008. The series remains a cult favorite and is currently being rebooted, with a new season set to premiere in August 2025.

Before his death, Joss had completed voice work on four episodes of the upcoming King of the Hill revival. Just days before the shooting, he was in Austin, Texas, participating in promotional events, including autograph signings at a local comic book store. In one of his final Instagram videos, he said, “The fans get to revisit King of the Hill again, which I think is an amazing thing because it’s a great show.”

Joss also appeared on several other TV shows, including a recurring role as Chief Ken Hotate on NBC’s Parks and Recreation and two episodes of Tulsa King in 2022.

Following the January fire, supporters launched a GoFundMe to help Joss recover from the devastating losses he suffered. The campaign described him as a kind and resilient individual, devoted to his work and deeply appreciative of his fans.

In his statement, de Gonzales echoed that sentiment: “To everyone who supported him, his fans, his friends, know that he valued you deeply. He saw you as family.”

As tributes pour in from fans and colleagues, many remember Joss not just as a talented actor, but as a warm, generous spirit who used his voice—on and off screen—to inspire and uplift others.

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