A representative for Ron Cephas Jones confirmed to Variety on a melancholy Saturday that the renowned actor, who was honored with an Emmy for his captivating portrayal of William Hill on NBC’s famous series “This Is Us,” passed unexpectedly at the age of 66 due to a chronic lung condition.
According to the representative’s statement, the actor had a significant impact on the entertainment industry and that anybody who had the good fortune to meet him sensed his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness, and heart throughout his career.
Career: Ron Cephas Jones:
The Nuyorican Poets Café is where Ron Cephas Jones’ acting career began, and his unwavering passion for the stage has remained a defining characteristic of his illustrious career, culminating in his recent Tony-nominated performance and Drama Desk Award win for his role in the Broadway production of “Clyde’s.”
For his outstanding work, Ron Cephas Jones received four Emmy nominations for his depiction of William Hill in “This Is Us,” for which he received a great deal of praise and attention. Notably, in 2018 and 2020, he won two Emmys for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.
They became the first father-daughter team to ever win Emmys in the same year when Jasmine Cephas Jones, his daughter, won her first Emmy for Outstanding Performance in a Short Structure Satire or Show Series in 2020.
In May 2022, Jones spoke with Variety on his experience reprising his role as William in the penultimate episode of “This Is Us,” saying, “At the end, the caboose, which marks the end, it’s when William is right there. And during this lovely brief monologue, you can see William’s face light up as he contemplates the notion that the end is in some ways the beginning.
His powerful message that endings can be just as lovely as beginnings struck a strong chord with his audience. His final scenes paid moving homage to the persona he created while exemplifying the craftsmanship that made his career.
The television work of Ron Cephas Jones went beyond “This Is Us.” He appeared on screen as Poppy’s father Lukather “Shreve” Scoville in the Apple+ series “Truth Be Told,” and he also made major cameos in the television shows “Law & Order: Organized Crime” and “Looking for Alaska.” Marvel fans will recognize him as Bobby Fish, Pop’s dependable confidant in “Luke Cage,” and he also had an impact on other programs like “The Get Down” and “Mr. Robot.”
Notwithstanding his work on TV, Jones has had an enduring impact on the film business because of his parts in motion pictures including “Dolemite Is My Name,” “Hottest times of the year,” “Across the Universe,” “He Got Game,” “Sweet and Lowdown,” “The Occasion Schedule,” and “Half Nelson.”
The loss of Ron Cephas Jones to the entertainment world is great, and those who were affected by his talent and kindness will carry on his memory as a talented actor and a nice man. Jasmine Cephas Jones, his daughter, is his sole heir, and together they have created a spectacular father-daughter legacy in the entertainment industry.
Ron Cephas Jones, an Emmy Award-winning actor, is remembered in “In Memoriam: Celebrating His Life and Legacy.”
