Latest news with #ParksAndRecreation
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Jonathan Joss: Three roles the King of the Hill star was known for
US actor Jonathan Joss, known for his roles in King of the Hill and Parks and Recreation, has died aged 59. Joss was shot dead, in what his husband called a homophobic hate crime, although police in Texas say there is no evidence of this. Joss's broad career spanned different genres and platforms, appearing in films, sitcoms, animations, stage productions and has been credited with increasing representation of Native Americans on screen. Here are three of the notable performances he will be remembered for. John Redcorn in King of the Hill In the animated sitcom King of the Hill, Goss voiced the character of John Redcorn, a Native American "licensed New Age healer" from season two sitcom centres around the Hill family and is set in the fictional town of Arlen, in suburban the first four seasons, Redcorn is having an affair with Hank Hill's neighbour, Nancy Gribble. Nancy's husband Dale is a flawed character, Redcorn is known for his kindness and calm persona, and for championing his Native American season four, during perhaps his most notable storyline, Redcorn reveals an ongoing battle between his tribe and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, saying he hoped to regain Native American land from the Redcorn a "true friend", Dale decides to help him with the lawsuit filed against the government, by introducing him to the Freedom of Information then permanently ends his14-year affair with Nancy, out of respect for Dale. The affair is not revealed to Dale and he happily heads home with Nancy. Full story: King of the Hill and Parks and Rec actor shot dead Author Dustin Tahmahkera once described Redcorn as "arguably the most developed and complex indigenous character in US sitcom history, thanks in critical part... to the on-and-offscreen work of Joss".In his 2014 book Tribal Television, which considered the representation of Native Americans in sitcoms, Tahmahkera added that the portrayal "attempted to break through a largely unkind and unflattering history of representations of the indigenous".But the fact that Redcorn was the "most human and multidimensional" Native American on screen was "a disheartening and stark reminder of the history of indigenous representations in network television", Tahmahkera pointed out. King of the Hill originally aired from 1997 to 2010. The sitcom is set to return in August with the characters aged and living a new part of their lives. Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation Joss's onscreen role as Native American tribe leader Chief Ken Hotate was a fan favourite in this live-action Chief's sharp dress sense matched his comedic wit, and he was often seen teasing the core characters as they struggled to tell if his straight-faced comments were deadly serious or a complete joke. Chief Hotate often met Leslie Knope, deputy director of the Parks and Recreation department for the fictional city of Pawnee, to discuss use of the land. He would often use stereotypes associated with Native Americans to his advantage, for example when opposing a festival organised on an ancient burial site by saying he hoped his ancestors "don't put a curse" on the event. White people are "terrified of curses", he explained to the camera in a tongue-in-cheek with King of the Hill, Joss's character was dedicated to defending tribal ancestry, and would often highlight injustices faced by his and Recs creators used Joss's character with a "really witty kind of self awareness", said Samantha Sheppard, associate professor of cinema and media studies at Cornell University."Parks and Rec loved to kind of reckon with the fact that despite the very good intentioned and warm-hearted, generous public servant that was Leslie Knope, and the folks who worked for the city, that the city still existed on indigenous land, and therefore had to account for those violences and that history," Prof Sheppard told the BBC. His role made light of the sensitive issues in a way that made the difficult topic of America's ugly history with indigenous groups more "accessible", Prof Sheppard said. "There was this kind of cheeky awareness of stereotypical representations of Native Americans on screen," she said, referring to the dichotomy of Chief Hotate also being a casino owner."I think it did pave the way for, like, other kinds of indigenous storytelling to happen." Denali in The Magnificent Seven Taking on a darker role, Joss portrayed the ruthless Denali in 2016's The Magnificent Seven. A retelling of a 1960s Western of the same name, a group of gunslingers come together to protect the town of Rose Creek, which is under threat from a tycoon wanting to mine the ground for exiled from the Comanche tribe, becomes a personal assassin to the tycoon, and is seen firing arrows and in hand-to-hand combat. "When people ask me what I thought of the movie, I tell them that all I know is my dad would have loved it," Joss told MySanAntonio: a news outlet local to his home town at the time of the film's release.
Globe and Mail
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Co-stars remember Jonathan Joss as husband claims actor's killing was driven by homophobia
What prompted the fatal shooting of Jonathan Joss, a Native American voice actor best known for his work on the animated television series King of the Hill remained unclear on Tuesday. While Joss's husband has claimed the person who killed the actor yelled 'violent homophobic slurs' before opening fire, San Antonio police have said they've found 'no evidence whatsoever to indicate that Mr. Joss's murder was related to his sexual orientation.' Police did not respond to multiple emails on Tuesday seeking additional information on the cause of the shooting. Since Joss's killing, friends, actors Joss worked with and fans have honored the actor's memory with tributes and fond remembrances. Joss, 59, grew up in San Antonio and graduated from the communications and theater program at Our Lady of the Lake University in 1990. He was best known as the voice of John Redcorn, a Native American character on the popular King of the Hill animated series, which ran for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2008. A reboot of the show, which Joss had already worked on, is set to start in August. Joss also had a recurring role on the television show Parks and Recreation, playing Chief Ken Hotate. He appeared in two episodes of the series 'Tulsa King' in 2022. In January, Joss's childhood home, where he still lived, burned down. He lost all his belongings and his three dogs were killed in the blaze. A GoFundMe account had been set up to help Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, get back on their feet. 'We may have lost our home, but not our hope. We're moving forward with love, humor, and a little elbow grease…and we're incredibly grateful for every ounce of support,' Joss said in a May 14 Facebook post in which he indicated he was in Los Angeles looking for a new home. By the end of May, Joss was back in Texas, and on Saturday, he took part in a live music performance in Austin, located about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of San Antonio. Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 56, is accused by police of confronting Joss and his husband as they were checking their mail at the burned-down home Sunday night. In a statement, de Gonzales alleged that when Ceja Alvarez opened fire, Joss pushed his husband out of the way and saved his life. Ceja Alvarez was charged with murder. Court records indicate he was freed Monday on a $200,000 bond. Ceja Alvarez's attorney, Alfonso Otero, did not immediately return a call or an email seeking comment. Robert Rios, a friend of Joss', told TV station KSAT that Joss and Ceja Alvarez were neighbors and the two had argued for years. Co-stars and friends have been paying tribute to the actor. Actor Chris Pratt, who worked with Joss on 'Parks and Recreation,' fondly remembered the actor in an Instagram story on Monday. Both actors had also appeared in the 2016 remake of 'The Magnificent Seven.' 'Damn. RIP Jonathan. Always such a kind dude,' Pratt wrote. 'Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones.' In a Facebook post, San Antonio-based Our Lady of the Lake University, Joss' alma mater, called him 'a trailblazer in his field. His work and advocacy have left a lasting impact, and his legacy will continue to inspire.' 'You were more than a character – you were a storyteller, a dreamer, and a force that will never be forgotten,' comedian Roy Alex Gomez, who was a friend of Joss, wrote in a Facebook post.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Terrifying new details in feud between gay King of the Hill star and neighbor accused of shooting him dead
The King of the Hill voice actor shot and killed in San Antonio on Sunday night had a vicious and longstanding feud with the man charged with his murder, the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal. Jonathan Joss, 59, who also starred in Parks and Recreation, was gunned down outside the charred remains of his childhood home that burned to the ground in January.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
What to know about fatal shooting of ‘King of the Hill' actor Jonathan Joss as co-stars pay tribute
In this image taken from video, Jonathan Joss, an actor best known for his voice work on the animated television series 'King of the Hill,' talks to reporters following a fire at his San Antonio, Texas, home on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (KSAT via AP) HOUSTON — What prompted the fatal shooting of Jonathan Joss, a Native American voice actor best known for his work on the animated television series 'King of the Hill,' remained unclear on Tuesday. While Joss' husband has claimed the person who killed the actor yelled 'violent homophobic slurs' before opening fire, San Antonio police have said they've found 'no evidence whatsoever to indicate that Mr. Joss' murder was related to his sexual orientation.' Police did not respond to multiple emails on Tuesday seeking additional information on the cause of the shooting. Since Joss' killing, friends, actors Joss worked with and fans have honored the actor's memory with tributes and fond remembrances. Here's what to know about Joss, his career and his shooting: Who was Joss? Joss, 59, grew up in San Antonio and graduated from the communications and theater program at Our Lady of the Lake University in 1990. Joss was best known as the voice of John Redcorn, a Native American character on the popular 'King of the Hill' animated series, which ran for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2008. A reboot of the show, which Joss had already worked on, is set to start in August. Joss also had a recurring role on the television show 'Parks and Recreation,' playing Chief Ken Hotate. He appeared in two episodes of the series 'Tulsa King' in 2022. What was happening with Joss in the months before his death? Joss' childhood home, where he still lived, burned down in January. He lost all his belongings and his three dogs were killed in the blaze. A GoFundMe account had been set up to help Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, get back on their feet. 'We may have lost our home, but not our hope. We're moving forward with love, humor, and a little elbow grease…and we're incredibly grateful for every ounce of support,' Joss said in a May 14 Facebook post in which he indicated he was in Los Angeles looking for a new home. By the end of May, Joss was back in Texas, and on Saturday, he took part in a live music performance in Austin, located about 80 miles (130 kilometres) northeast of San Antonio. Who is accused of fatally shooting Joss? Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 56, is accused by police of confronting Joss and his husband as they were checking their mail at the burned-down home Sunday night. In a statement, de Gonzales alleged that when Ceja Alvarez opened fire, Joss pushed his husband out of the way and saved his life. Ceja Alvarez was charged with murder. Court records indicate he was freed Monday on a US$200,000 bond. Ceja Alvarez's attorney, Alfonso Otero, did not immediately return a call or an email seeking comment. Robert Rios, a friend of Joss', told TV station KSAT that Joss and Ceja Alvarez were neighbors and the two had argued for years. How is Joss being remembered by friends, actors? Actor Chris Pratt, who worked with Joss on 'Parks and Recreation,' fondly remembered the actor in an Instagram story on Monday. Both actors had also appeared in the 2016 remake of 'The Magnificent Seven.' 'Damn. RIP Jonathan. Always such a kind dude,' Pratt wrote. 'Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones.' In a Facebook post, San Antonio-based Our Lady of the Lake University, Joss' alma mater, called him 'a trailblazer in his field. His work and advocacy have left a lasting impact, and his legacy will continue to inspire.' 'You were more than a character — you were a storyteller, a dreamer, and a force that will never be forgotten,' comedian Roy Alex Gomez, who was a friend of Joss, wrote in a Facebook post. Juan A. Lozano, The Associated Press
The Independent
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
What to know about fatal shooting of 'King of the Hill' actor Jonathan Joss as co-stars pay tribute
What prompted the fatal shooting of Jonathan Joss, a Native American voice actor best known for his work on the animated television series 'King of the Hill,' remained unclear on Tuesday. While Joss' husband has claimed the person who killed the actor yelled 'violent homophobic slurs' before opening fire, San Antonio police have said they've found 'no evidence whatsoever to indicate that Mr. Joss' murder was related to his sexual orientation.' Police did not respond to multiple emails on Tuesday seeking additional information on the cause of the shooting. Since Joss' killing, friends, actors Joss worked with and fans have honored the actor's memory with tributes and fond remembrances. Here's what to know about Joss, his career and his shooting: Who was Joss? Joss, 59, grew up in San Antonio and graduated from the communications and theater program at Our Lady of the Lake University in 1990. Joss was best known as the voice of John Redcorn, a Native American character on the popular 'King of the Hill' animated series, which ran for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2008. A reboot of the show, which Joss had already worked on, is set to start in August. Joss also had a recurring role on the television show 'Parks and Recreation,' playing Chief Ken Hotate. He appeared in two episodes of the series 'Tulsa King' in 2022. What was happening with Joss in the months before his death? Joss' childhood home, where he still lived, burned down in January. He lost all his belongings and his three dogs were killed in the blaze. A GoFundMe account had been set up to help Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, get back on their feet. 'We may have lost our home, but not our hope. We're moving forward with love, humor, and a little elbow grease…and we're incredibly grateful for every ounce of support,' Joss said in a May 14 Facebook post in which he indicated he was in Los Angeles looking for a new home. By the end of May, Joss was back in Texas, and on Saturday, he took part in a live music performance in Austin, located about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of San Antonio. Who is accused of fatally shooting Joss? Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 56, is accused by police of confronting Joss and his husband as they were checking their mail at the burned-down home Sunday night. In a statement, de Gonzales alleged that when Ceja Alvarez opened fire, Joss pushed his husband out of the way and saved his life. Ceja Alvarez was charged with murder. Court records indicate he was freed Monday on a $200,000 bond. Ceja Alvarez's attorney, Alfonso Otero, did not immediately return a call or an email seeking comment. Robert Rios, a friend of Joss', told TV station KSAT that Joss and Ceja Alvarez were neighbors and the two had argued for years. How is Joss being remembered by friends, actors? Actor Chris Pratt, who worked with Joss on 'Parks and Recreation,' fondly remembered the actor in an Instagram story on Monday. Both actors had also appeared in the 2016 remake of 'The Magnificent Seven.' 'Damn. RIP Jonathan. Always such a kind dude,' Pratt wrote. 'Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones.' In a Facebook post, San Antonio-based Our Lady of the Lake University, Joss' alma mater, called him 'a trailblazer in his field. His work and advocacy have left a lasting impact, and his legacy will continue to inspire.' 'You were more than a character — you were a storyteller, a dreamer, and a force that will never be forgotten,' comedian Roy Alex Gomez, who was a friend of Joss, wrote in a Facebook post. ___
