Indigenous actor Jonathan Joss shot, killed in apparent anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime

Jonathan Joss, the acclaimed actor and voice artist best known for his portrayal of John Redcorn in the animated series "King of the Hill," was shot on Sunday at the age of 59. Born in 1965, he succumbed to his gunshot wounds in San Antonio, Texas.

According to a statement released by his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, the couple had returned to the site of their former home to check the mail when the fatal shooting occurred. Gonzales said the property, where they had previously lived together, had been destroyed in a fire following years of threats and harassment from members of the local community.

“Throughout that time, we were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship,” Gonzales said. “Much of the harassment was openly homophobic.”

Despite repeated reports to law enforcement about the threats, Gonzales said no charges were ever filed.

While checking the mail, Gonzales said they discovered what he believed to be the skull of one of their dogs along with a harness—an experience he said caused “severe emotional distress.” It was then, he said, that a man approached them shouting homophobic slurs before raising a gun from his lap and opening fire.

Gonzales recounted that his husband, Joss, pushed him out of the line of fire. “He saved my life,” he said. Despite efforts by authorities and paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Born Jonathan Joss Gonzales on December 22, 1965, in San Antonio, he was of Comanche and White Mountain Apache descent. A graduate of Our Lady of the Lake University with a degree in theater and speech, Joss began his acting career in the early 1990s. He joined “King of the Hill” in 1998, voicing John Redcorn from seasons two through 13, and was expected to return for the 2025 revival series. 

More recently, Joss also portrayed Chief Ken Hotate in “Parks and Recreation” and appeared in films such as “True Grit” and the 2016 remake of “The Magnificent Seven.”

For many, Joss was the first to represent Indigenous people in media. His contributions to television and film, along with his advocacy for Indigenous causes, have left an indelible mark on the industry. He will be remembered for his talent, kindness and dedication to his craft.

Joss’s death has left a profound impact on the entertainment community and fans alike. His husband said he reminded him of that before he passed. 

“I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved,” stated Gonzales.