HOUSTON — Whereas it stays unclear what prompted the deadly capturing of Jonathan Joss, a Native American voice actor finest identified for his work on the animated tv collection “King of the Hill,” police say they’re trying into whether or not his sexual orientation performed a job in his loss of life.
Joss’ husband has claimed the one who killed the actor yelled “violent homophobic slurs” earlier than opening hearth.
Initially, San Antonio police mentioned they discovered “no proof in any respect to point that Mr. Joss’ homicide was associated to his sexual orientation.”
However on Thursday, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus walked again that assertion, saying it had been made prematurely and whether or not Joss’ sexual orientation performed a job within the capturing “is a part of the investigation.”
Since Joss’ killing, pals, actors Joss labored with and followers have honored the actor’s reminiscence with tributes and fond remembrances.
Right here’s what to learn about Joss, his profession and his capturing:
Joss, 59, grew up in San Antonio and graduated from the communications and theater program at Our Girl of the Lake College in 1990.
Joss was finest referred to as the voice of John Redcorn, a Native American character on the favored “King of the Hill” animated collection, which ran for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2008. A reboot of the present, which Joss had already labored on, is about to begin in August.
Joss additionally had a recurring function on the tv present “Parks and Recreation,” enjoying Chief Ken Hotate. He appeared in two episodes of the collection “Tulsa King” in 2022.
Joss’ childhood dwelling, the place he nonetheless lived, burned down in January. He misplaced all his belongings, and his three canines have been killed within the blaze. A GoFundMe account had been set as much as assist Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, get again on their ft.
“We might have misplaced our dwelling, however not our hope. We’re transferring ahead with love, humor, and a bit elbow grease … and we’re extremely grateful for each ounce of assist,” Joss mentioned in a Could 14 Fb submit wherein he indicated he was in Los Angeles on the lookout for a brand new dwelling.
By the tip of Could, Joss was again in Texas, and on Saturday, he took half in a stay music efficiency in Austin, situated about 80 miles northeast of San Antonio.
Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 56, is accused by police of confronting Joss and his husband as they have been checking their mail on the burned-down dwelling Sunday night time.
In an announcement, de Gonzales alleged that when Ceja Alvarez opened hearth, Joss pushed his husband out of the best way and saved his life.
Ceja Alvarez was charged with homicide. He’s free on a $200,000 bond.
Ceja Alvarez’s lawyer, Alfonso Otero, has not returned a number of calls or emails in search of remark.
Robert Rios, a pal of Joss’, informed TV station KSAT that Joss and Ceja Alvarez have been neighbors and the 2 had argued for years.
McManus mentioned police had been referred to as to Joss’ dwelling and his neighborhood about 70 occasions over the previous two years associated to “neighborhood kind disturbances” and that generally Joss made these calls and different occasions neighbors had referred to as to report Joss.
Actor Chris Pratt, who labored with Joss on “Parks and Recreation,” fondly remembered the actor in an Instagram story on Monday. Each actors had additionally appeared within the 2016 remake of “The Magnificent Seven.”
“Rattling. RIP Jonathan. At all times such a sort dude,” Pratt wrote. “Unhappy to see. Prayers up. Hug your family members.”
In a Fb submit, San Antonio-based Our Girl of the Lake College, Joss’ alma mater, referred to as him “a trailblazer in his discipline. His work and advocacy have left a long-lasting impression, and his legacy will proceed to encourage.”
“His voice will likely be missed at King of the Hill, and we lengthen our deepest condolences to Jonathan’s family and friends,” the present’s creators and producers — Mike Choose, Greg Daniels and Saladin Patterson — mentioned in an announcement on the animated collection’ Instagram web page.
Observe Juan A. Lozano: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70
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