Who Was Jonathan Joss? Check His Age, Early Life, and Career Highlights

Jonathan Joss Gonzales, the voice behind the iconic character ‘John Redcorn’ in the famous sitcom ‘King of the Hill’, passed away on June 1, 2025, at the age of 59. He was not only an actor and musician who was known for his voice, but was also known for his commitment to the representation of LGBTQ+ communities.

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Early Life and Education

Jonathan Joss was born on December 22, 1965, in San Antonio, Texas. He attended McCollum High School and later enrolled at Texas State University-San Marcos, which was known as Southwest Texas State University at that time. However, he left the college before graduating, but he continued his education at San Antonio College and earned a degree in theater and speech from Our Lady of the Lake University.

Career Highlights

Joss gained recognition in television by voicing for character John Redcorn from Season 2 to Season 13 of the fan-favourite animated sitcom King of the Hill. He got this role after the untimely death of the original voice actor, Victor Aaron, in 1996.

He also gained recognition for playing Chief Ken Hotate in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, where his performance brought both humour and dignity to the screen.

Apart from acting, Joss was a musician who performed with The Red Corn Band, which is named after his King of the Hill character.

Personal Life and Heritage

Jonathan Joss was proud of his Native American roots, having Comanche and White Mountain Apache ancestry, which has also influenced his artistic choices and public identity to a very great extent. Talking about his personal life, Joss shared a committed and loving relationship with his partner, Tristan Kern de Gonzales. The couple also got married on 14 February, 2025, which also marks Valentine’s Day.

Tragic End and Controversy

Just months before his death, in January 2025, Joss lost his San Antonio home in a devastating fire that claimed the lives of three of his dogs. He had reportedly left a heater running while he was away.

Now, his death was even more tragic as on June 1, 2025, Joss was fatally shot by a neighbour who allegedly hurled homophobic slurs before pulling the trigger. The suspect was swiftly arrested. His husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, later revealed that the couple had been subjected to years of homophobic abuse and threats, many of which had gone unaddressed by authorities. 

Conclusion

Lastly, Joss had reunited with the King of the Hill cast for a revival series and had already recorded four episodes before his death. 

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