Emmy-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones for his role as William Hill in ‘This Is Us’ has died. He was 66 years old.
It was a representative for the actor who confirmed the news of his death.
“Beloved and award-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones has died aged 66 due to a long-standing lung problem”, can we read in a statement given to Deadline. “Throughout his career, his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness and heart were felt by all who were fortunate enough to know him.”
The statement continues: “He began his career at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and his love for the stage has been present throughout his career, including his recent Tony Award nomination and Drama Desk Award winning performance for his role in ‘Clyde’s’ on Broadway . Ron’s inner beauty and soul were evident to the general public during his Emmy Award-winning performance in This is Us. He is survived by his daughter Jasmine Cephas Jones.”
Ron Cephas Jones played Randall Pearson’s (Sterling K. Brown) biological father, William Hill, on the hit series This Is Us, a role for which he earned four Emmy Award nominations including two wins for Emmy for Outstanding Guest Star Actor in a Drama Series in 2018 and 2020. His daughter, Jasmine, also picked up her first Emmy win of 2020, making them the first father-daughter duo to win Emmys in the same year.
CAREER ON BOARDS AND ON SCREEN
Born on January 8, 1957 in Paterson, New Jersey, Ron Cephas Jones graduated from Ramapo College where he originally planned to study jazz before switching majors to acting after landing a lead role in a production of Cinderella Ever After.
After graduating in 1978, the young man moved to Los Angeles where he was a bus driver for the next four years. During this time, he said he fell in love, had a child, and broke up. Then he traveled, living in San Francisco, Arizona and New Orleans before returning to New York in 1985.
It was there that he began to spend time at the Nuyorican Poets Café in Manhattan and chained theatrical productions, even after his career took off, receiving in 2022, this famous Tony Award nomination for his role in the play by Lynn Nottage Clyde’s.
He started on the small screen at the end of the 90s in series such as New York Undercover, Law & Order or NYPD Blue. His recent TV credits include The Blacklist, Banshee, Mr. Robot, The Get Down, Luke Cage, Looking for Alaska, Lisey’s Story, Better Things, Law & Order: Organized Crime, Truth Be Told and of course This Is Us.
On the cinema side, we have seen him in films such as Murder Magic (1994), his very first credit, but also He Got Game (1998), Accords et disagreements (1999), Paid in Full (2002), Half Nelson (2006), Across the Universe (2007), Dog Days (2018) , Venom (2018), The Holiday Calendar (2018) and Dolemite Is My Name (2019).
TRIBUTES FROM HIS FAMILY THIS IS US
After the announcement of his death, Ron Fogelman, the creator of This Is Ustook to social media to mourn the loss of his friend and remember the “magic moment” of their collaboration.
“A huge loss. Ron was the best of the best – on screen, on stage and in real life. The coolest. Easiest to hang out with and laugh at. And my God: what an actor. I don’t think I ever changed one of his takes in a cut…because everything he did was perfect…”
In a second post, Dan Fogelman has followed: “I first met Ron at the start of This Is Us, a magical moment when we all felt like we were being shot down by a cannon. He was always steady, always grateful – even when madness swirled around us. He liked actors. He loved his daughter. And we loved it. All of us.”
Mandy Moore, who played Rebecca Pearson in the drama series, also posted a tribute to the late actor on Instagram.
“Getting to know and work with Ron in the mad rush of This Is Us was the greatest gift – he was pure magic as a human and an artist… I will cherish every moment forever. Even though he wasn’t on set as much as we all wanted, he was such an integral part of the fabric of the show, it’s like he’s always been there.”
The actress continues:I will never forget how special it was to film this particular episode and to welcome it back to say goodbye to our This Is Us family and the whole experience. I’m so sad. My thoughts and love go out to Jasmine, her family and friends. I love you.”
Sterling K. Brownwho played his biological son on the show, also took to social media to share his thoughts after hearing the news.
“Life imitated art today, and one of the most wonderful people the world has ever seen is no longer with us.”, he shared on Instagram.
“[Ron Cephas Jones] passed away and the world is a little less bright”, he added. “Brother, you are loved. And we will miss you. Make them laugh in the next phase of existence and I’ll see you when I get there.”
The studio behind This Is Us20th Television, also released a statement honoring the award-winning actor.
“Ron has touched millions with his brilliant Emmy-winning work on This Is Us and his magnificent portrayal of William Hill. He loved everyone he worked with in a really deep way, and he made sure they knew that.”, reads the press release. “His incredible talent was matched only by his kindness. He will be missed by all who are fortunate enough to call him a colleague and a friend, and we send our sincere condolences to his family and friends.”