Yahoo News Ron Cephas Jones, Emmy-Winning ‘This Is Us’ Actor, Dies at 66
Ron Cephas Jones, who won two Emmy Awards for his role as William Hill on This Is Us, has died. He was 66.
The actor died due to a long-standing pulmonary issue. The Gersh Agency confirmed his death on Sunday. People magazine first reported the news.
More from The Hollywood Reporter
'This Is Us' Cast and Octavia Spencer Remember Ron Cephas Jones: "A Wonderfully Kind Human Being"
Michael Parkinson, Legendary British Talk Show Host, Dies at 88
Jerry Moss, A&M Records Co-Founder and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Member, Dies at 88
“Throughout the course of his career, his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness and heart were felt by anyone who had the good fortune of knowing him,” a statement to People read. “He began his career at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and his love for the stage was present throughout his entire career, including his recent Tony nominated and Drama Desk Award winning performance for his role in Clyde’s on Broadway. Ron’s inner beauty and soul was evident to the huge audience from his multi-Emmy award winning performance on This is Us.”
Born on Jan. 8, 1957, in Paterson, New Jersey, Jones went on to pursue a career in acting. He previously opened up to THR about the lack of diversity on TV when he was a kid, saying, “There weren’t many African American families on TV when I was growing up.”
In 2016, he landed his most notable role on This Is Us, in which he played William, the biological father of Sterling K. Brown’s Randall Pearson. He starred alongside Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore in the hit series that ran for six seasons. The role scored him Emmys in 2018 and 2020 for outstanding guest actor in a drama series.
Brown shared a tribute for his co-star, writing on Instagram: “Life imitated art today, and one of the most wonderful people the world has ever seen is no longer with us. @cephasjaz has passed away, and the world is a little less bright. Brother, you are loved. And you will be missed. Keep them laughing in the next phase of existence, and I’ll see you when I get there.”
This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman also took to social media to remember Jones: “A massive loss. Ron was the best of the best — on screen, on stage, and in real life. The coolest. The easiest hang and laugh. And my God: what an actor. I don’t think I ever changed a single take of his in a cut… because everything he did was perfect.”
In a 2021 interview with The New York Times, Jones revealed that he received a double-lung transplant following a secret battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He said he spent nearly two months at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
The following year, as This Is Us came to a close, Jones credited his co-stars and producers for helping him get through the final days of filming amid his health struggles. “You cats held me when I was struggling and you didn’t let me go,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “You’ve been there for a very difficult part of my life. I’m a walking miracle.”
Jones starred in several other projects throughout his decades-long career in the industry. Most recently, he took on the role of Leander “Shreve” Scoville in Truth Be Told, opposite Octavia Spencer. The drama series, which ran for three seasons, followed a true-crime podcaster as they try to solve a mystery surrounding a family patriarch’s death.
Spencer remembered the actor on Instagram, writing, “I’m heartbroken to lose my dear friend and colleague Ron Cephas Jones. Ron was an incredibly talented actor and, most importantly, a wonderfully kind human being. Every day on set with Ron was a good day.”
Jones’ other credits include Looking for Alaska, Lisey’s Story, Better Things, Luke Cage, Mr. Robot and The Get Down. He also made appearances on Law & Order: Organized Crime, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order, NYPD Blue and The Blacklist. As for films, he starred in Half Nelson, The Holiday Calendar, Dolemite Is My Name and Across the Universe, to name a few.
In 2004, he shifted to the stage, making his Broadway debut in the production of Gem of the Ocean as a standby for several roles. Throughout the years, he landed several roles in Broadway and off-Broadway productions, but it was his performance as Montrellous in the production of Clyde’s that scored him a 2022 Tony nomination. The play took place at a truck stop sandwich shop that offered its formerly incarcerated kitchen staff a shot at redemption.
Last year, it was reported that Jones was cast in Genius: MLK/X, the upcoming fourth installment of the historical anthology series, which is set to focus on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. He will portray Elijah Muhammad in his last credited role. A release date has not been set.
Jones is survived by his daughter, actress Jasmine Cephas Jones. She also received an Emmy in 2020, making the duo the first father-daughter Emmy winners in the same year.
Best of The Hollywood Reporter
