Actor Jonathan Joss Dies in Tragic Shooting
This one hurts. Jonathan Joss, who a lot of people remember as the voice of John Redcorn from King of the Hill, has died. He was 59. From what we know, he was shot outside what used to be his home in San Antonio, Texas.
Apparently, it happened during a heated moment with a neighbor. Things got ugly fast. There was yelling, and then shots were fired. The neighbor’s been arrested and is facing a murder charge now.
It’s heartbreaking. Joss wasn’t just a talented actor — he meant something to a lot of people, especially in Native and LGBTQ+ communities. And what makes this even worse is that he and his husband had reportedly dealt with years of harassment from the same person.
He’d Already Lost So Much Earlier This Year
Before this tragedy, Jonathan had already been through hell. Back in January, his childhood home burned down. This wasn’t just any house — it was the place his father had built in the 1950s. That place held so many memories for him.
Even worse, his three dogs didn’t make it out. He tried to save them, but the fire spread too fast. He believed it might’ve been caused by an old gas heater he used during a cold snap, but honestly, he didn’t seem totally sure what started it.
The fire left him with nothing. No home. No pets. Just a few things he managed to grab before running out. And yet, he still tried to stay hopeful and grateful for the people who helped him get through it.
Jonathan Joss, the voice of John Redcorn in ‘King of The Hill’, has sadly passed away at the age of 59 after being shot in a homophobic attack.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 2, 2025
His husband has written the below statement. pic.twitter.com/hSnw3iSFvG
Fans Tried to Help — and He Felt That Love
After the fire, fans really showed up for him. There was an outpouring of support, with people donating to help him rebuild his life. You could tell he was overwhelmed by the kindness — he kept saying thank you, even when things were obviously still really hard.
It wasn’t just about the money. It was about people reminding him that he wasn’t alone. That his work, his voice, his presence meant something. That kind of love really matters when you’ve lost everything.
He Was Left Out of the 'King of the Hill' Reunion
This part really stung for him. Even though he was the voice behind one of the show's most iconic characters, Jonathan wasn’t invited to a big King of the Hill reunion event earlier this year. A lot of the old cast was there, and fans noticed his absence right away.
He opened up online about how much that hurt. He said he felt left out — like he was being shut out of something he helped build. And yeah, he had recorded lines for the new revival of the show, so it made even less sense. It felt unfair. Like he deserved better.
He Meant a Lot to So Many
Jonathan wasn’t just another actor. He was proud of his heritage — Comanche and White Mountain Apache — and he brought that pride into everything he did. Whether it was his role as John Redcorn or his work on other shows, he made people feel seen.
He carried himself with humility. He didn’t do it for the spotlight. He did it because he loved telling stories, especially ones that mattered. His passing leaves a hole, not just in entertainment, but in the hearts of those who respected him.
A Reminder of What Still Needs to Change
This wasn’t just a tragic accident. His husband said they had been targeted for years because of who they were. And that’s not okay. No one should have to live in fear just because of who they love.
Jonathan's death is a painful reminder that hate still exists — and that we all have work to do. It’s not just about remembering him. It’s about making sure this kind of thing stops happening.
He deserved peace. He deserved safety. And he definitely deserved to feel the love that so many people had for him — not just after he was gone, but while he was still here.
