Ron Cephas Jones, a seasoned stage actor, who had earned two Emmy Awards for his poignant portrayal of a long-lost father in the series ‘This Is Us’, has passed away at the age of 66. He was known for his role in the NBC show where he found his liberation.
Jones’ manager, Dan Spilo, remarked that the actor’s demise was due to a prolonged battle with a respiratory ailment.
Spilo said, ‘Throughout his career, his passion, elegance, generosity, compassion, and kindness were felt by everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Jones underwent a double lung transplant in 2020 and spent nearly two months at the Los Angeles hospital.
In ‘This Is Us’, Jones portrayed William ‘Shakespeare’ Hill, a biological father whose life becomes intertwined with the Pearson family through his relationship with his son Randall Pearson. The role of the rejuvenated William was portrayed by Sterling K. Brown.
Brown shared in an Instagram post, ‘One of the world’s most wonderful people isn’t with us anymore. The world is a little less bright. Brother, you were loved. And you will be missed.’
Jones took on a more central role in the early seasons of the series, but he appeared in some form across all six seasons, featuring time-jumping narratives that provided recurring opportunities for the actors even after their characters’ deaths. Jones secured an Emmy in 2018 and 2020 as he was recognized as an exceptional guest actor in a drama series, and he earned nominations for an additional pair of awards.
Dan Fogelman, the creator of ‘This Is Us’, said, ‘Ron was the best of us — onscreen, on stage, and in real life. God: what an actor. I feel like I’m still pinching myself at the fact that I got to be in the orbit of his talent for a little while.’
Prior to and following his time on ‘This Is Us’, Jones spent a significant portion of his career in the theater. After his adoption, he had to relearn breathing and walking when he returned to Broadway.
In 2021, Jones revealed in an interview with The New York Times, ‘The stage has been my entire life,’ where he candidly disclosed that since he began ‘This Is Us’, he had been grappling with breathing issues.
Jones stated, ‘The thought of not performing again felt worse than death.’
Having received a Tony nomination, he emerged victorious in the realm of awards by clinching the 2022 Drama Desk Award. This recognition was bestowed upon him for his portrayal of the Truck Stop Cook character in the Broadway rendition of Lynn Nottage’s play titled ‘Clyde’s’.
Originally from New Jersey, Jones earned a degree from Ramapo College, where he intended to study jazz, but his path shifted towards theater. He spent several years in Southern California working as a bus driver, journeying across the country in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
In the mid-1980s, he relocated to New York City, where he immersed himself in poetry, hip-hop, and performance art, becoming an important creative center at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and contributing. In 1994, he achieved a breakthrough role when he secured a leading part in playwright Cheryl West’s drama ‘Holiday Heart’.
He continued his engagement in theater throughout the following decades, often in off-Broadway productions, featuring pivotal roles such as a headline-turn in Shakespeare’s ‘Richard III’ at The Public Theater and Engagements alongside the ensemble at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
Jones also took on TV guest roles in shows like ‘Mr. Robot’, ‘Luke Cage’, and ‘Lisa’s Story’. His presence on the big screen encompasses roles such as his collaboration with Ryan Gosling in the 2006 film ‘Half Nelson’ and his contribution to ‘Dolemite Is My Name’ in 2019, starring alongside Eddie Murphy.
Within his family, he leaves behind his daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones.”
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