Chris Pratt pays tribute to the late Jonathan Joss, recalling him as a 'genuine fellow'
"Jonathan Joss, Beloved 'Parks and Rec' Star, Senselessly Killed
Thirty years of shining in the entertainment world came to an abrupt and tragic end for Chris Pratt's former co-star, Jonathan Joss. The 59-year-old actor met a devastating fate on June 1, following a vicious shooting at his San Antonio property.
Joss rose to fame portraying Chief Ken Hotate on the iconic NBC sitcom, 'Parks and Recreation.' His dynamic performances left a lasting impact, earning him widespread admiration.
Pratt, ever the friend, honored Joss' memory on his Instagram Stories, posting a photo of the obituary and conveying his anguish with a poignant message: "Damn, RIP Jonathan. Forever a kind soul. This truly sucks. Sending out prayers and hugging my loved ones a little tighter tonight." The duo previously shared the screen in the 2016 film, 'The Magnificent Seven.'
fellow 'Parks and Recreation' star, Nick Offerman, echoed the sentiment, expressing his sorrow to 'People Magazine', "Our text threads have been abuzz all day with grief. It's heartbreaking. Jonathan was a top-notch guy, and we were ecstatic to have him as our Chief Ken. A dreadful tragedy indeed."
Sadly, Joss' life was cut short by his neighbor, Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, 56, who stands accused of this heinous crime. Authorities have booked Cejam for murder. Joss' husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, broke the news on Facebook, accusing the incident of being a hate crime sparked by homophobia.
Gonzales shared a heart-wrenching statement, revealing that they had suffered ongoing harassment, much of it laced with homophobic slurs. The most recent incident resulted in Joss being fatally wounded while shielding Gonzales from the hail of bullets. "Jonathan pushed me aside. He saved my life," Gonzales wrote.
The investigation is ongoing, and the details surrounding the motive are yet to be confirmed. However, Joss' final words at a panel event resound with poignancy, denouncing discrimination and speaking about his personal struggles with intolerance.
Before his untimely demise, Joss was set to reprise his role in the upcoming 'King of the Hill' revival on Hulu. His passing has sparked conversations on violence and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, emphasizing the necessity for greater understanding and support."
Jonathan Joss was more than just an actor – he was a musician, a voice artist, and a bright star in the TV and film industries. He lent his talents to shows and films like 'King of the Hill,' 'Parks and Recreation,' 'The Magnificent Seven,' 'True Grit,' '8 Seconds,' and video games such as 'Red Dead Redemption' [1][2]. Tragically, his life came to an end on June 2, 2025, following a shooting at his home in San Antonio, Texas [3]. The suspect, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, was apprehended and charged with murder [3]. neighbour's hostility had stretched back for some time, with confrontations and threats being commonplace [3]. His husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, suspects the shooting was fueled by homophobia [4].
- Who among the celebrities tragically lost their life was not only an acclaimed actor, but also a musician, a voice artist, and a star in the TV and film industries, with roles in shows like 'Parks and Recreation' and 'The Magnificent Seven'?
- Us, as fans, should be sending prayers and hugging our loved ones a little tighter tonight, following the senseless killing of the 'Parks and Recreation' star, Jonathan Joss, by his neighbor, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja.
- Worldwide entertainment industry mourns the loss of someone who used his world-class talent in various mediums, from 'King of the Hill' to 'Red Dead Redemption' video games, and stood against discrimination, such as Jonathan Joss, whose life was cut short in a hate crime.
