Ron Cephas Jones, the two-time Emmy Award-winning actor from the family drama This Is Us, has died from a long-standing pulmonary issue. He was 66.
“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,” said his manager Dan Spilo in a statement. “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 Cephas Jones had a double lung transplant in 2020 as a result of of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Born January 8, 1957 in Paterson, New Jersey, Jones spent most of his career in the theater before and after This Is Us. His TV credits included guest spots on series like Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, NYPD Blue and Better Things. He had the recurring role of Romero in the USA drama Mr. Robot and Congressman Leon Kilbride in Law & Order: Organized Crime. And he appeared regularly in dramas Luke Cage from 2016-18, and Truth Be Told from 2019-23, and co-starred in the the miniseries Looking For Alaska in 2019 and Lisey’s Story in 2021. But it was his 45-episode stint on This Is Us as William Hill, the biological father of Sterling K. Brown’s character Randall, that escalated his career, resulting in two aforementioned Emmys in the category of Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.
His film credits included Half Nelson in 2006 and Dolemite Is My Name with Eddie Murphy in 2019.
“The world is a little less bright. Brother, you are loved. And you will be missed,” wrote Sterling K. Brown on Instagram.
Jones is survived by his daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones.
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