Jones is survived by his daughter Jasmine Cephas Jones
Ron Cephas Jones, the Emmy-winning actor known for his role as William Hill on NBC’s This Is Us, has died due to a long-standing pulmonary issue. He was 66.
Jones’ This Is Us role landed him a total of four Emmy nominations, two of which he won for outstanding guest actor in a drama series in 2018 and 2020. He became one half of the first-ever father-daughter duo to win Emmys in the same year after his daughter, Jasmine, won for outstanding performance in a short form comedy or drama series in 2020.
In 2021, Jasmine revealed that her father had a double lung transplant from fighting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Dan Fogelman, the creator of This Is Us, shared his sentiments about the late actor.
“A massive loss. Ron was the best of the best – on-screen, on stage, and in real life,” Fogelman wrote in a statement on Twitter. “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…”
“This Is Us” co-star Mandy Moore, who plays Rebecca Pearson, posted a tribute to Instagram writing, “Getting to know and work with Ron on the wild ride of ‘This Is Us’ was the greatest gift – he was pure magic as a human and an artist…I will treasure all of the moments forever.”
Sterling K. Brown, who played William’s biological son Randall also shared a touching tribute, “Life imitated art today, and one of the most wonderful people the world has ever seen is no longer with us. [Jones] 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.”
Jones’ also had roles on “Mr. Robot,” “Luke Cage,” and Apple TV’s “Truth Be Told” where he played the father 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 importantly, a wonderfully kind human being,” Spencer said in an Instagram post. Every day on set with Ron was a good day. I’m sending all my love to his daughter Jasmine, family, friends, and fans.”
Jones is survived by his daughter Jasmine.