Ron Cephas Jones, the two-time Emmy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated actor, has died at 66 years old.
Jones had a “long-standing pulmonary issue,” a representative for the late actor told People on Saturday.
Jones was best known for his role as William Hill on the NBC drama “This Is Us,” where he won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2018 and 2020.
“Throughout the course of his profession, his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness, and heart were felt by anyone who had the nice fortune of knowing him,” an announcement to the outlet read. “He began his profession on the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and his love for the stage was present throughout his entire profession, 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 massive audience from his multi-Emmy award-winning performance on ‘That is Us.’
Jones is survived by his daughter, “Hamilton” actress Jasmine Cephas Jones, who he made history alongside as the primary father and daughter to each win an Emmy award in the identical yr — the younger Jones won Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series win for her role within the “#FreeRayshawn.”
In 2021, Jasmine Cephas Jones revealed her father had a double lung transplant from fighting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
On the hit NBC drama series, Jones played a cancer-stricken musician who reunited together with his adult son, who was played by Sterling K. Brown.
Brown mourned Jones’ death, saying the “world is a little bit less vivid.”
“Life imitated art today, and one of the vital wonderful people the world has ever seen isn’t any longer with us,” Brown said on Instagram. “@cephasjaz has passed away, and the world is a little bit less vivid. Brother, you might be loved. And also you will probably be missed. Keep them laughing in the following phase of existence, and I’ll see you after I get there.”
Sterling’s “That is Us” co-star Chrissy Metz remembered Jones as a kind-hearted spirit.
“Ron, thanks for brightening every room you walked into. I’ll always remember and have been modified by your kind heart, amazing spirit, immeasurable talent and exquisite smile,” Metz said. “May your transition be filled with light and peace. Sending all of my like to Jasmine & his family members during this time. You might be truly the best cat.”
Mandy Moore, who played Rebecca Pearson on the show, called Jones “pure magic as a human and artist.”
“Attending to know and work with Ron on the wild ride of “This Is Us” was the best gift- he was pure magic as a human and an artist…I’ll treasure the entire moments without end,” Moore said on Instagram. “Although he wasn’t around set as much as all of us wished, he was such an intrinsic a part of the material of the show, it’s like he was all the time there. I’m just so sad. My thoughts and love are with Jasmine and his family and friends.”
Jones’ resume included roles on “Mr. Robot,” “Luke Cage,” and Apple TV’s “Truth Be Told” where he played the daddy figure to Octavia Spencer.
“I’m heartbroken to lose my dear friend and colleague Ron Cephas Jones. Ron was an incredibly talented actor and, most significantly, a splendidly kind human being,” Spencer said in an Instagram post. Day by day on set with Ron was a very good day. I’m sending all my like to his daughter Jasmine, family, friends, and fans.”
