Ron Cephas Jones, a highly esteemed stage actor renowned for his exceptional portrayal of a father seeking redemption on the hit series This Is Us, has passed away at the age of 66. According to his representative, Jones’s death was a result of a longstanding pulmonary issue. His manager, Dan Spilo, expressed heartfelt sentiments, acknowledging Jones’s warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness, and compassionate nature that touched the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know him.
In 2020, Jones underwent a double lung transplant due to his battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This health struggle led to his extended stay in a Los Angeles hospital, enduring two months of intensive care. On This Is Us, Jones played William “Shakespeare” Hill, a biological father whose connection with his son’s family brings about a remarkable transformation. Sterling K Brown, who played the role of Randall Pearson, expressed his sorrow in an Instagram post, emphasizing Jones’s immeasurable impact and declaring his love and admiration for the late actor.
While Jones initially played a more prominent role in the early seasons of the show, his character continued to make appearances throughout the entire six-season run. This Is Us incorporated time-jumping narratives that allowed actors to continue contributing to the story, even after their characters’ deaths. Jones’s outstanding performances earned him two Emmy awards for Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2018 and 2020, earning two additional nominations.
Esteemed creator of This Is Us, Dan Fogelman, praised Jones as an unmatched talent, both on screen and on stage. Fogelman recounted the privilege of working with Jones, highlighting his impeccable acting skills and underlining the fact that not a single take of his required any alterations in the editing process.
Jones’s passion for the stage persisted throughout his career, both before and after his involvement in This Is Us. Even after his life-saving transplant, the actor relentlessly pursued his love for theater, relearning basic functions, such as breathing and walking. In a 2021 interview with the New York Times, Jones shared his deep connection to the stage, admitting that the thought of never performing again was more devastating to him than death itself.
His dedication to his craft earned him a Tony nomination and a 2022 Drama Desk Award for his extraordinary performance as a truck-stop cook in Lynn Nottage’s Broadway production Clyde’s. Hailing from Paterson, New Jersey, Jones graduated from Ramapo College, where he initially intended to study jazz before taking a leap into the world of theater. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he journeyed across the country, working as a bus driver in southern California for several years.
In the mid-1980s, Jones relocated to New York City, immersing himself in the vibrant creative community of the Nuyorican Poets Café, a hub for poetry, hip-hop, and performing arts. His breakthrough came in 1994 when he secured the lead role in Cheryl West’s powerful drama Holiday Heart. From then on, Jones consistently graced the stage, captivating audiences in Off-Broadway productions, including an unforgettable portrayal of Richard III at the Public Theater and memorable performances with the esteemed Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago.
Jones also made notable appearances on TV shows such as Mr. Robot, Luke Cage, and Lisey’s Story. His talent extended to the silver screen, with appearances in films like Half Nelson (2006) alongside Ryan Gosling and Dolemite Is My Name (2019) starring Eddie Murphy.
Jones leaves behind his daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones, who undoubtedly shares her father’s passion for the arts. Ron Cephas Jones’s impact on the entertainment industry and his enduring legacy as an exceptional actor will always be cherished and remembered with deep reverence.
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