Jonathan Joss Biography: Age, Husband, Net Worth, Children, Cause of Death, Height, Family

Biography

Jonathan Joss Gonzales (December 22, 1965 – June 1, 2025) was a gifted American actor and voice artist of Comanche and White Mountain Apache heritage, born in San Antonio, Texas.

He was best known for voicing John Redcorn in King of the Hill (Seasons 2–13) and for his memorable role as Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation. His film credits include appearances in True Grit (2010) and The Magnificent Seven (2016).

Joss earned a degree in theatre and speech from Our Lady of the Lake University and was also active as a musician with The Red Corn Band.

Beyond entertainment, he explored entrepreneurship by launching his own line of spice rubs. In 2025, he married Tristan Kern de Gonzales. Tragically, his life was cut short at the age of 59 when he was fatally shot in his hometown of San Antonio.

American actor and musician
Jonathan Joss
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Jonathan Joss Gonzales
Stage Name:	Jonathan Joss
Born:	22 December 1965 (age 59 years old)
Place of Birth:	San Antonio, Texas, United States
Died:	1 June 2025 (age 59 years), San Antonio, Texas, United States
Nationality:	Nigerian
Education:	Our Lady of the Lake University
Height:	1.83 m
Parents:	William Joss, Mary Tsosie Joss
Siblings:	N/A
Spouse:	Tristan Kern de Gonzales (m. 2025-2025)
Boyfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	N/A
Occupation:	Actor • Musician
Net Worth:	$1 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Jonathan Joss was born on December 22, 1965, in San Antonio, Texas, to parents William Joss and Mary Tsosie Joss.

Of Comanche and White Mountain Apache descent, he was raised in a household that practiced traditional Native American spirituality, blending it with elements of Christianity. Details about his siblings are not widely known, as Joss maintained a private personal life.

Growing up in San Antonio, he was immersed in his cultural heritage, which shaped his early interest in performance. He attended Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, where he earned a degree in theatre and speech, setting the stage for his acting and voice-over career.

Career

Jonathan Joss enjoyed a multifaceted career as an actor and voice actor, drawing on his Comanche and White Mountain Apache roots to bring depth and authenticity to his performances.

He rose to prominence as the voice of John Redcorn in the animated series King of the Hill (Seasons 2–13, 1997–2010), portraying a stoic yet compelling Native American character who became a fan favourite. In live-action television, he was best known for his role as Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation (2010–2015), where his dry wit and deadpan delivery left a lasting impression.

Joss also appeared in several films, including True Grit (2010) and The Magnificent Seven (2016), in which he played Denali. His television résumé includes guest appearances on series such as ER, The League, and Ray Donovan.

Outside of acting, he expressed his creativity through music as a member of The Red Corn Band, which featured Native American-inspired sounds. As an entrepreneur, Joss also launched his own line of spice rubs, showcasing his versatility and passion beyond the screen.

Social Media

• Facebook: Jonathan Joss
• Wikipedia: Jonathan Joss
• IMDb: Jonathan Joss

Personal Life

Jonathan Joss was born on December 22, 1965, in San Antonio, Texas, and was 59 years old at the time of his death on June 1, 2025.

He married Tristan Kern de Gonzales on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025, his only known marriage. There is no public information indicating that he had any children. His height is 1.83 m.

Cause of Death

Jonathan Joss was fatally shot on June 1, 2025, at his property in San Antonio, Texas, during a dispute with a neighbour, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, who was charged with murder.

His husband alleged the shooting was a homophobic hate crime, citing years of harassment and threats due to their sexuality, including finding the skull of one of their dogs at the site of their former home, which burned down in January 2025.

However, the San Antonio Police Department stated that their investigation found no evidence to suggest the murder was related to Joss’ sexual orientation, though the investigation remains ongoing.

Net Worth

Jonathan Joss, known for voicing John Redcorn in King of the Hill and playing Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation, had an estimated net worth of approximately $1 million at the time of his death on June 1, 2025.

His wealth was accumulated through his extensive career in voice acting and on-screen roles across television and film, including The Magnificent Seven and True Grit.

Additionally, Joss earned income from his entrepreneurial venture, a line of spice rubs launched in 2011, inspired by his King of the Hill character, and sold through his website along with merchandise.

Filmography

Television Roles

• King of the Hill (1997–2009, 2025 revival): Voiced John Redcorn (Seasons 2–13, 34 episodes), a Native American masseur and New Age healer. Joss took over the role after the original actor, Victor Aaron, died in 1996. He had begun recording for the Hulu revival, set to premiere in August 2025, completing lines for four episodes before his death.
• Parks and Recreation (2011–2015): Played Chief Ken Hotate, the witty tribal leader of the fictional Wamapoke tribe, in five episodes. His role was praised for its comedic timing and addressing Native American issues with self-awareness.
• Walker, Texas Ranger (1994): Appeared as young Raymond Firewalker in an early role.
• ER (1990s): Had a minor role in the medical drama.
• Charmed (1990s): Featured in a small role in the fantasy dramedy.
• Friday Night Lights (unknown episode): Appeared in a minor role.
• Ray Donovan (unknown episode): Played a small role in the crime drama.
• The League (unknown episode): Featured in the comedy series about a fantasy football league.
• Tulsa King (unknown episode): Appeared in the Paramount+ drama about a Mafia capo.

Film Roles

• The Magnificent Seven (2016): Portrayed Denali, an exiled Comanche assassin, in the Western remake, showcasing his ability to play intense, dramatic roles.
• True Grit (2010): Appeared in a minor role in the Coen Brothers’ Western.
• Comanche Moon (2008): Played Kicking Wolf in the TV miniseries, a prequel to Lonesome Dove, noted for adding humor to the character.
• Dead Man’s Walk (1996): Portrayed Kicking Wolf in the Emmy-nominated Western miniseries based on Larry McMurtry’s novel.
• 8 Seconds (1994): Had a small role in the rodeo drama, marking one of his earliest screen appearances.
• Almost Heroes (1998): Appeared in the pioneer comedy.
• Lone Star (mid-1990s): Played a role in the film, one of his early breakthroughs.
• Abduction of the Fourth Kind (2022): Acted and served as a producer in this lesser-known project.

Video Games

• Days Gone (unknown year): Provided voice work for characters, contributing to his diverse portfolio in media.

Other Work

• Music: Joss was a musician with The Red Corn Band, named after his King of the Hill character. The band’s music was inspired by Native American themes, and his performances influenced the creation of the fictional band Big Mountain Fudgecake in later seasons of King of the Hill. He also collaborated with the Graywolf Blues Band on the songs “Boogey Man” and “Still No Good” for their album Dancing in the Rain.
• Stage Work: Collaborated with filmmaker Mark A. Watson on several plays during his time at McCollum High School, where he studied drama and sang in the chorus.
• Cultural Advocacy: Joss consulted on scripts to ensure accurate representation of Native American characters and advocated for Indigenous rights, enhancing portrayals in projects like King of the Hill and Parks and Recreation.