Vale: Ron Cephas Jones

US actor Ron Cephas Jones, best known for This Is Us and Truth Be Told, has died, aged 66.

He died “due to a long-standing pulmonary issue,” his representative confirmed in a statement.

“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.”

In a 2021 interview he revealed that he received a double-lung transplant following a private battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  Born in New Jersey he pursued a career in acting, winning several roles in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions.“

There weren’t many African American families on TV when I was growing up,” he once said.

He played William Hill, the biological father of Randall (Sterling K. Brown) on This is Us largely across 2016 – 2018, and winning two Emmy Awards as Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.

He also featured as Leander ‘Shreve’ Scoville in Truth Be Told, as father to Octavia Spencer’s Poppy from 2019 – 2023. His other credits include Better Things, Luke Cage, Mr. Robot and The Get Down. He also appeared on Law & Order, Organized Crime, Criminal Intent, NYPD Blue and The Blacklist plus Half Nelson, The Holiday Calendar, Dolemite Is My Name and Across the Universe.

Sterling K. Brown on Instagram reflected, “Life imitated art today, and one of the most wonderful people the world has ever seen is no longer with us. @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.”

This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman said: “A massive loss. Ron was the best of the best – on screen, on stage, and in real life. The coolest. The easiest hang and laugh. And my God: what an actor. I don’t think I ever changed a single take of his in a cut… because everything he did was perfect.”

Octavie Spencer on Instagram, wrote, “I’m heartbroken to lose my dear friend and colleague Ron Cephas Jones. Ron was an incredibly talented actor and, most importantly, a wonderfully kind human being. Every day on set with Ron was a good day. I’m sending all my love to his daughter Jasmine, family, friends and fans.”

His last role was as Elijah Muhammad in Genius: MLK/X, set to focus on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, yet to be released.

Source: Hollywood Reporter