The new season fans of the “King of the Hill”” were emotionally surprised by the on-screen message that appeared during the season finale.
It was the show’s tribute to the voice actor Jonathan Joss, who died earlier this year under tragic circumstances.
But it turns out there’s a much bigger story behind that short message.
Do You Know
Joss was the man behind the voice of John Redcorn for over 20 years.
His sudden death in June 2025 shocked fans, and the less that is known about it, the bigger the mystery has become.
A Tribute That Caught Everyone Off Guard
The return season of King of the Hill was aired on Hulu from August 4, 2025.
Viewers were waiting for the usual laughs and nostalgia.
However, what they didn’t expect was the message that emerged at the very end of the last episode:
“In Loving Memory: Jonathan Joss.”
The homage showed a picture of Joss and his animated character standing next to each other. It was brief but felt very strong.
Many who did not know the whole story of his passing said on social media that they were moved by the tribute.
The Final Episodes Still Featured His Voice
Though Jonathan Joss passed away two months before the season aired, his voice was still there with the show.
According to producers, Joss was so far ahead with his recording that he had already done the work for at least four episodes before he died.
Therefore, the viewers were actually watching his face for the first few episodes of the season where he was seen as John Redcorn.
This was also confirmed by Hulu and series showrunner Saladin K. Patterson, who said that the decision was made to pay homage to Joss in a dignified and heartfelt manner.
A Shocking Death That Still Raises Questions
On June 1, 2025, Jonathan Joss was shot dead near his home in San Antonio, Texas. At the time of his death, he was 59 years old.
The shooting reportedly escalated from a verbal argument with a neighbor, Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, who was later taken into custody.
The incident and subsequent shooting raised major questions right away.
According to Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, the crime was due to hatred.
Apart from that, he added that their neighbor had been oppressing them for years as a result of their union.
Also, he stated that the police were not prompt in their investigation of the case.
Initially, the San Antonio Police Department staff announced that there were no biases involved.
After a few days, Police Chief William McManus regretted making his point that quickly. He assured that they will get to the bottom of it.
The Shooter Claims Self-Defense
The suspect’s attorney is telling a different story. He avers that Alvarez was in self-defense during heated exchange with Joss and thus acted accordingly.
The defense counsel further remarked that in the last 12 months, the police had been called to Joss’s residence multiple times.
Alvarez was granted bail of $200,000 and is scheduled to appear before the court on August 19, 2025.
The case is still open, and the district attorney has neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of adding hate crime charges.
This Wasn’t the First Tragedy for Joss This Year
Before the shooting, Jonathan Joss had already suffered the wrath of 2025.
A fire incident in January burned down his house and took away his three pet dogs’ lives with smoke inhalation.
He shared his experience with the internet community, stating he felt vulnerable and labeled as the target.
More so, he opened up about his struggle with mental health issues that included depression and anxiety.
Joss was still full of hope somehow and kept a positive outlook in the weeks leading up to his death.
On February 14, he had just been married, and only a few days before he died, he shared his experience at the ATX TV Festival.
He even summed up his mood as “new beginnings…” in one of the videos.
A Legacy That Goes Beyond Redcorn
Besides long voice work in King of the Hill, he was also spotted in the live-action series Parks and Recreation as Chief Ken Hotate and in films like True Grit and The Magnificent Seven.
He loved being a Native American and playing Native characters was like second nature to him.
His work was highly appreciated among fans as it added depth and dignity to characters that would otherwise be merely comic relief.
Moreover, his kindness and professionalism have been recognized by the people he worked with.
Multiple Tributes in the New Season
King of the Hill did not only pay tribute to Jonathan Joss but to other actors as well. Apart from him, the new season also recognized:
- Johnny Hardwick, the voice of Dale Gribble, who died in 2023
- Chuck Mangione, the real-life musician who made frequent guest appearances, who passed away in July 2025
The tributes were integrated into the very last moments of particular episodes. Only at the season finale was the one referring to Joss’s work shown.
Why This Story Still Matters
King of the Hill coming back is like a blast from the past for the ardent fans of the show.
But it also serves as a reminder that the people behind the characters are human with their own share of problems.
It was not just a headline that went around quickly that Jonathan Joss passed away; still, as if it was an unfortunate end to a very talented career.
Season 14 is his last chance to fans to listen to his voice again.
Moreover, his artistic heritage is being honored by a huge number of people, notwithstanding the fact that the investigation into his demise is still ongoing.
