Ron Cephas Jones, renowned for his Emmy-winning portrayal of William Hill on the popular TV series "This Is Us," has passed away at the age of 66. The actor's representative confirmed the sad news, revealing that Jones succumbed to a prolonged pulmonary ailment.
Describing Jones as a person of exceptional warmth, beauty, generosity, and kindness, the statement underscored his significant impact on those fortunate enough to have crossed paths with him. The statement traced his artistic journey from his beginnings at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, highlighting his unwavering love for the stage.
His recent performance in "Clyde's" on Broadway earned him a Tony nomination and a Drama Desk Award, further showcasing his dedication to his craft. The statement also acknowledged his multi-Emmy winning role on "This Is Us," where his inner beauty and soul shone through.
Born on January 8, 1957, in Paterson, New Jersey, Jones pursued acting in his quest for a fulfilling career. He candidly spoke about the limited diversity on television during his childhood, expressing his hope that more African American representation would emerge.
In 2016, Jones secured his most iconic role as William Hill in "This Is Us," the biological father of Sterling K. Brown's character. Acting alongside Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore, the show achieved remarkable success across six seasons. His portrayal earned him two Emmy Awards, one in 2018 and another in 2020, both for his outstanding guest actor work in a drama series.
Sterling K. Brown paid a heartfelt tribute to his late colleague on Instagram, underscoring the convergence of life and art in Jones' passing. He expressed his affection and sorrow, conveying that the world has lost an extraordinary individual.
Notably, Jones was cast in the upcoming historical anthology series "Genius: MLK/X," where he was set to embody Elijah Muhammad in his final credited role. This fourth installment of the series will center on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, although no release date has been confirmed, acoording to The Hollywood Reporter.
Jones leaves behind his daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones, an accomplished actress who, in 2020, also secured an Emmy award. Their dual victory marked them as the first father-daughter pair to win Emmy Awards in the same year.
