King of the Hill star Jonathan Joss dies aged 59 after fatally being shot by neighbor during argument
Jonathan Joss, the unforgettable voice behind John Redcorn in the long-running animated series King of the Hill, was shot and killed Sunday evening in what police are describing as a neighborhood dispute gone horrifically wrong. He was just 59.
According to a report from TMZ, the altercation began outside Joss’s San Antonio home when a disagreement with a neighbor over a property issue escalated into a deadly confrontation. Witnesses said the two men had a history of verbal conflicts, but no one expected it to end with gunfire. Joss was shot once in the chest and died at the scene.
KSAT confirmed the shooter is a 62-year-old man now in custody, facing possible second-degree murder charges as authorities investigate what led to the fatal moment.
Fans and friends across Hollywood and Indigenous communities are in shock. Joss, a proud member of the Comanche and Laguna Pueblo Nations, was more than an actor — he was a powerful cultural voice who often advocated for Native rights and representation in the media. His death leaves a void far beyond the world of television.
Actor Mike Judge, the creator of King of the Hill, shared a devastating message on Instagram following the news:
Jonathan had the rare gift of making you feel seen, heard, and respected. This is heartbreaking. — Mike Judge— Mike Judge (@MikeJudge) June 3, 2025
The emotional flood of tributes online was immediate. Kathy Najimy, who played Peggy Hill, called Joss “a soulful human with the voice of a warrior and the heart of a healer.”
Joss had a powerful film and TV résumé beyond voice acting. He appeared in the Coen brothers’ remake of True Grit, had recurring roles in Walker, Texas Ranger and Comanche Moon, and lent his talents to several award-winning Native-centered documentaries and shorts.
In 2022, he was honored by the National Indian Gaming Association for his tireless advocacy in media, using his fame to push networks for accurate Native representation.
We lost a giant today. Jonathan Joss wasn’t just a voice on TV — he was a real-life warrior for Native truth and dignity.
Rest in power, brother. — Indigenous Rights Watch— IndigRightsWatch (@IndigRightsWatch) June 3, 2025
Local outlets like San Antonio Express-News reported that a candlelight vigil is scheduled for Friday night near his home. Fans have already transformed the street corner into a growing shrine of candles, sage bundles, and printed photos of Joss as John Redcorn.
Joss’s death is also reigniting debate around Texas’s stand-your-ground laws, which critics say have emboldened citizens to resort to deadly force over non-lethal disputes.
A petition to dedicate a future episode of the upcoming King of the Hill reboot to Joss’s legacy has reached over 80,000 signatures.
Make it right, @FOXTV. Dedicate the first new episode to Jonathan Joss. His voice was a legacy. #HonorJoss— VoiceActorLife (@VoiceActorLife) June 3, 2025
The actor’s family released a short statement through their legal representative: “Jonathan walked in beauty. His heart was for his people, and his voice will echo long after this violent silence.” They’ve asked for donations to be directed to the Indigenous Film Academy in lieu of flowers.
A GoFundMe launched in his memory has already topped $90,000 in less than 48 hours.
Joss’s final social media post, made just two days before his death, read:
Every day is a chance to speak truth, heal someone, or protect what’s sacred. Don’t waste it. ✊🏽— Jonathan Joss (@JonathanJoss) June 1, 2025
In a year already marred by loss in entertainment, Joss’s murder stands out for its raw senselessness. The man who gave voice to a generation of Indigenous storytelling was silenced by a senseless act — one that may now spark overdue conversations about justice, violence, and what we value in our neighbors.
