This Is Us Actor Ron Cephas Jones Dead At 66
Veteran actor and Emmy-winning performer Ron Cephas Jones has tragically passed away at the age of 66. PEOPLE has reported that Jones dealt with a "long-standing pulmonary issue." For those unaware, pulmonary problems involve the lungs.
Jones was widely known for his role on "This is Us," the NBC family drama that ran from 2016-2022. The series starred the likes of Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, and Sterling K. Brown. In the show, Jones portrayed William Hill, the biological father on Brown's character, Randall Pearson. Jones' time on the show was a rousing success that saw him secure two Emmy wins, one in 2018, and another in 2020.
Aside from his time on "This is Us," the actor took part in some other notable shows, having appeared in heavy-hitters like "Luke Cage" and "Mr. Robot." Jones also had a recurring role on "Law & Order: Organized Crime," portraying Congressman Leon Kilbride.
In a statement given to PEOPLE, a representative for Jones said: "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."
Jones began his career in the mid-'90s
The statement regarding Ron Cephas Jones' passing continued, stating: "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."
Jones' first role on the silver screen was in the 1994 drama flick, "Murder Magic," where he starred as Buddy Dixon. From 1996 to '97, he appeared frequently in police procedurals, taking part in iconic shows like "New York Undercover," "Law & Order," and "NYPD Blue." In 1998, Jones played a prison guard in the Spike Lee picture "He Got Game," joining a cast led by Denzel Washington.
Marvel fans likely remember Jones for portraying Bobby Fish in "Luke Cage," where he played a wise and frequent patron at Pop's Barbershop. Fish was rarely seen without his chessboard and frequently gave the titular protagonist profound advice and insight. The hit Netflix series wouldn't be the only Marvel project on Jones' resume; he also had a minor role in 2018's "Venom," playing Eddie Brock's (Tom Hardy) boss.
From police procedurals to family dramas to mentoring bulletproof superheroes, Ron Cephas Jones truly had a standout career. However, one accomplishment that's impossible to surpass is when the veteran performer won an Emmy in 2020, the same night as her daughter, actor Jasmine Cephas Jones, making them the first father-daughter duo to capture Emmy gold on the same night.