The entire entertainment industry has been saddened by the unexpected demise of Jonathan Joss, a famous voice actor on King of the Hill who played John Redcorn. On Saturday, June 1, 2025, Joss was killed when he was shot during a fight in his house in San Antonio, Texas. Donald was 59 years of age.
A Fatal Argument
San Antonio police confirmed in a statement and media outlets Variety and Hindustan Times reported that the incident took place around 7:00 p.m. on the night of Sunday. A report claims that Joss had a fiery exchange with a neighbor which turned into a deadly confrontation very quickly. Officials claim that the neighbor, who is not being publicly identified yet, got out a gun and fired several shots at Joss.
The police were at the scene immediately and found Joss lying near the road outside his home. Although they made every effort to help him, Joss died before the medics managed to move him to a hospital. While trying to escape by car, the suspect was caught less than a block from the crime scene and has now been booked for murder. No further reveals on the motive have been made, as the investigation continues after the reported argument.
Career Highlights: The Voice Behind John Redcorn
His role as John Redcorn, the Native American character on King of the Hill (1997-2009), gave Jonathan Joss fame across many viewers. In the second season, he became a member of the cast, taking over the role of Alan from Victor Aaron, who had sadly died in a car accident the year before. Joss Spano spoke as the character every time and appeared in around 100 different episodes.
People in the entertainment industry are grieving the shocking death of actor Jonathan Joss, recognized for voicing John Redcorn on the successful animated show King of the Hill. On June 1, 2025, a violent incident at his San Antonio, Texas home resulted in the shooting death of Joss. He was 59-years-old at the time.
A Dreadful Fight
As per San Antonio police and supported by Variety and Hindustan Times, the incident took place at about 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. Joss got into an argument with a neighbor and it quickly became so serious that it resulted in a fatal incident. Police indicate that the neighbor who drew a gun and shot Joss was not named publicly.
As soon as the incident happened, police went to the scene and found Joss outside his house. Joss was pronounced dead even as caregivers tried to save him. The suspect tried to get away in their car and was apprehended close by less than a block from the crime. Further investigation is going on and so far, the argument reported indicates the only suspected motive.
Most Famous For: Voice-over Work as John Redcorn
Jonathan Joss was recognized by many for playing John Redcorn, a Native American role on the show King of the Hill which ran from 1997 to 2009. Johnny Russo stepped in during the show’s second season after despairingly Victor Aaron passed away the year before in a car accident. Joss played the character in every episode of the show which ran for many seasons.
Tributes and Legacy
In the wake of his death, tributes have begun to pour in from colleagues, fans, and industry professionals. While official statements from the King of the Hill creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels are yet to be released, social media has seen an outpouring of grief and remembrance for the actor. Fans have particularly noted how Joss brought a subtle complexity to John Redcorn—a character who, despite the show’s comedic tone, often grappled with themes of identity, belonging, and injustice.
Many admirers have highlighted Joss’s advocacy for Native American rights and cultural preservation. As a member of the Comanche Nation, he frequently used his platform to raise awareness about Indigenous issues and to mentor young Native actors.
