Ron Cephas Jones, who gained two Primetime Emmy Awards for his position on This Is Us, has died. He was 66.
A consultant for Jones confirmed the actor’s dying in an announcement to Fox News Digital on Saturday.
“Beloved and award-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones has passed away at the age of 66 due to a longstanding pulmonary issue,” the assertion learn.
It continued, “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.”
“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. He is survived by his daughter Jasmine Cephas Jones,” the assertion concluded.
Jones performed William Hill, the organic father of Randall Pearson (Sterling Ok. Brown) on This Is Us all through the present’s six-season run from 2016 to 2022. Jones was a essential character throughout the collection’ first two seasons earlier than showing as a visitor star within the ultimate 4 seasons.
His character was a recovering drug addict with terminal abdomen most cancers who reconnects with Randall 36 years after his son was adopted by Jack and Rebecca Pearson (Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore).
The actor’s efficiency as Hill earned him 4 consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations with two wins in 2018 and 2020 for excellent visitor actor in a drama collection. In 2020, Jones and his daughter Jasmine made Emmy historical past as the primary father and daughter to win in the identical yr.
“As a parent, that’s the most fulfilled I could ever feel,” Jones instructed reporters of Jasmine throughout the post-awards present press convention.
“Winning another Emmy is icing on the cake, but to see my daughter move into this place where she’s earned an Emmy … it’s beyond words. I tear up every time I think about it. The highlight of this whole journey is to see my daughter become happy, successful, and healthy. That’s a parent’s dream. As a parent, nothing could be finer. Nothing.”
He added: “Out of all [my] Emmys, [my daughter] winning is everything. My heart explodes when I think about the success she is having.” Jones shared Jasmine with British jazz singer Kim Lesley.
Jones most just lately starred within the Apple+ crime drama collection Truth Be Told from 2016 to 2023. He performed Lukather “Shreve” Scoville, the daddy of essential character Poppy Parnell (Octavia Spencer). From 2016 to 2018, he portrayed Bobby Fish, a pal of Pop (Frankie Faison), within the Netflix superhero present Marvel’s Luke Cage. Jones additionally appeared in various different tv present together with Mr. Robot, The Get Down, Law & Order: Organized Crime, Better Things, Lisey’s Story, Banshee and Looking for Alaska.
His movie credit embody roles in Dolemite Is My Name, Half Nelson, Across the Universe, He Got Game, Sweet and Lowdown, Glass Chin, The Holiday Calendar, and Dog Days.
Following the announcement of his dying, Jones’ This Is Us co-stars shared heartfelt tributes to the late actor on social media.
Brown referenced the emotional This Is Us episode wherein Hill succumbs to most cancers with Randall by his facet. “Life imitated art today, and one of the most wonderful people the world has ever seen is no longer with us,” the actor wrote on Instagram.
He continued, “@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.”
In her Instagram tribute, Moore mentioned that Jones was “pure magic” and shared a photograph of the 2 collectively in a scene from the present.
“Getting to know and work with Ron on the wild ride of ‘This Is Us’ was the greatest gift- he was pure magic as a human and an artist … I will treasure all of the moments forever,” she wrote within the caption. “Even though he wasn’t around set as much as we all wished, he was such an intrinsic part of the fabric of the show, it’s like he was always there. I’ll never forget how special it was to film this particular episode and welcome him back to say a proper goodbye to our TIU family and the whole experience. I am just so sad. My thoughts and love are with Jasmine and his family and friends. Love you, @cephasjaz.”
Chrissy Metz, who performed Kate Pearson, one of many Pearson triplets together with Randall and Kevin Pearson (Justin Hartley), additionally took to Instagram to honour Jones.
“Ron, thank you for brightening every room you walked into. I’ll never forget and have been changed by your kind heart, amazing spirit, immeasurable talent and beautiful smile,” she captioned a picture of Jones from the present.
She continued, “May your transition be full of light and peace. Sending all of my love to Jasmine & his loved ones during this time .
You are truly the coolest cat.”
In a 2022 interview with Fox 2 in St. Louis, Jones opened up about returning to the stage with the Broadway play Clyde’s after present process a double-lung transplant in May 2020.
“When the breathing problem started, you know, that’s when I started to panic a little bit,” he mentioned. “I kept under wraps. I didn’t go public with it because I was afraid I may not be able to do a play again. So to be here with you talking about it, it’s a great feeling.”
Jones additionally mirrored on drawing upon his personal life experiences when portraying characters in his movie and tv roles.
“A lot of these characters that I play now after being around — I mean, I’ll be 65 in January. So I’ve seen a lot of life, you know, and a lot of men and women that come and go, family and friends and just people in different neighbourhoods that I grew up. So there’s a lot of source material that I can draw off of with William in particular.”
The actor expressed his pleasure over the success of Jasmine, who originated the roles of Maria Reynolds and Peggy Schuyler within the Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton.
“Every time I talk about her, I start crying,” he mentioned.
Overall, Jones instructed the outlet that he felt very grateful for his roles each on-screen and in life.
“Man, you know, I’ve been so lucky.”
This article initially appeared in Fox News and was reproduced with permission.
Originally revealed as This Is Us star Ron Cephas Jones useless at 66
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
