
Jonathan Joss, King of the Hill actor, shot dead at 59
When you hear the voice of John Redcorn on King of the Hill, it’s easy to forget the man behind that calm delivery. Jonathan Joss, the actor who voiced the beloved character, was shot and killed outside his San Antonio home on June 1, 2025, at age 59.
Born: December 22, 1965 · Died: June 1, 2025 · Age at death: 59 · Known for: John Redcorn on King of the Hill · Tribal affiliation: Native American (unconfirmed specific tribe) · Circumstance of death: Shooting, apparent hate crime
Quick snapshot
- Joss died June 1, 2025, from a shooting in San Antonio (CBS News (national news outlet))
- He was the voice of John Redcorn on King of the Hill (KSAT (San Antonio ABC affiliate))
- Lost his home in a 2009 fire (ABC7 New York (local ABC affiliate))
- He had Native American ancestry (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Joss’s exact tribal affiliation (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Detailed circumstances of the suspect (NBC News (national broadcaster))
- Official motive behind the attack (CBS News (national news outlet))
- Joss’s net worth and marital status (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- June 1, 2025 – Joss fatally shot outside his South Side San Antonio property (KSAT (San Antonio ABC affiliate))
- Police initially said no evidence of hate-crime motive, later walked back (NBC News (national broadcaster))
- Ongoing police investigation into possible hate crime (CBS News (national news outlet))
- Community vigil planned for June 5, 2025 (San Antonio Report (local nonprofit news))
- Further legal proceedings expected as case develops (NBC News (national broadcaster))
Eight key facts about Jonathan Joss, from birth to his final day, reveal a life packed with notable roles and personal tragedy.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jonathan Joss Gonzales |
| Date of birth | December 22, 1965 |
| Place of birth | San Antonio, Texas |
| Date of death | June 1, 2025 |
| Age at death | 59 |
| Occupation | Actor, musician |
| Known for | Voice of John Redcorn (King of the Hill) |
| Other roles | Ken Hotate (Parks and Recreation) |
What happened to Jonathan Joss from King of the Hill?
Tribute to the actor
- Jonathan Joss was fatally shot on June 1, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas (CBS News (national news outlet))
- The shooting occurred at his South Side property (KSAT (San Antonio ABC affiliate))
- Police are investigating whether his sexual orientation played a role (CBS News (national news outlet))
- He was 59 years old (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Best known for voicing John Redcorn on King of the Hill from 1997 to 2010 (KSAT (San Antonio ABC affiliate))
The implication: Joss’s death is not just the loss of a talented voice actor — it also raises serious questions about safety and justice for the LGBTQ+ community in San Antonio. The police’s shifting statements have added confusion, not clarity.
What tribe is Jonathan Joss from?
Native American heritage
- Joss was of Native American ancestry (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Exact tribal affiliation is not publicly confirmed (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- His roles often reflected his cultural background, such as voicing Native American characters (KSAT (San Antonio ABC affiliate))
The pattern: Joss’s heritage was a quiet but important part of his identity, yet the lack of a confirmed tribe means his story is sometimes presented through a broader lens. For Native American representation, the exact tribe matters to audiences seeking specificity.
How did Jonathan Joss lose his house?
2009 house fire
- Joss lost his home and two dogs in a fire in 2009 (ABC7 New York (local ABC affiliate))
- He spoke about the event in an archived KSAT interview (KSAT (San Antonio ABC affiliate))
- The fire occurred in San Antonio (San Antonio Report (local nonprofit news))
What this means: The 2009 fire was a devastating personal loss that Joss carried into his public life. It’s a reminder that behind the voice of a cartoon character was a real person who endured hardship.
What happened to the man who shot Jonathan Joss?
Suspect and investigation
- Details about the suspect remain limited (NBC News (national broadcaster))
- Police records show prior neighborhood disputes involving Joss and the suspected shooter (NBC News (national broadcaster))
- In June 2024, a neighbor reported Joss approached his house with a crossbow and used racial slurs – those records cited in reporting (NBC News (national broadcaster))
- The investigation is ongoing and being treated as a potential hate crime (CBS News (national news outlet))
The catch: The police’s initial dismissal of a hate-crime motive and subsequent walk-back have left the community skeptical. The neighbor-dispute records complicate the narrative, but the full truth is still pending.
The hate-crime investigation faces a paradox: police records suggest a personal feud, yet Joss’s husband and advocates believe sexual orientation was a factor. The outcome will set a precedent for how San Antonio handles bias-motivated violence claims.
Why wasn’t Jonathan Joss invited to the King of the Hill reunion?
Reunion panel incident
- Joss allegedly crashed the King of the Hill panel at a convention (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- He was not officially invited to the reunion event (KSAT (San Antonio ABC affiliate))
- The incident sparked fan discussion (CBS News (national news outlet))
Why this matters: The reunion snub, while a minor event in Joss’s career, highlights the often invisible line between supporting and lead voice actors.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Was Jonathan Joss married?
Joss’s marital status is not publicly confirmed. His husband has been referenced in some reports, but official records remain unclear.
Did Jonathan Joss have children?
There is no public information confirming whether Jonathan Joss had children.
What other characters did Jonathan Joss voice?
Beyond John Redcorn, Joss voiced characters in various films and television shows, including Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation.
Where was Jonathan Joss buried?
Burial details for Jonathan Joss have not been publicly released as of this writing.
How did the King of the Hill cast react to his death?
Public reactions from the cast have been limited, though fan communities have expressed widespread grief and support for the investigation.
What was Jonathan Joss’s last role?
Joss’s final credited role was voicing John Redcorn in the King of the Hill revival series, which was in production at the time of his death.
Is there a GoFundMe for Jonathan Joss’s funeral?
No official GoFundMe campaign has been confirmed. Community vigils are being organized instead.