Ron Cephas Jones: The Life and Legacy of the Emmy-Winning This Is Us Actor

Publish date: 2024-05-07

Introduction

Ron Cephas Jones was an American actor who won two Emmy Awards for his role as William Hill, the biological father of Randall Pearson, on the NBC drama series This Is Us. He was also a veteran stage actor who appeared in several Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, including the recent Tony-nominated play Clyde’s. He died on August 19, 2023, at the age of 66, due to a long-standing pulmonary issue, according to his manager. He is survived by his daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones, who is also an actress and singer. In this article, we will look back at the life and career of Ron Cephas Jones, and how he touched the hearts of millions of viewers and fans with his talent and kindness.

Early Life and Career

Ron Cephas Jones was born on January 8, 1957, in Paterson, New Jersey. He grew up in a musical family, and developed a love for jazz and blues. He also had a passion for literature and poetry, and was influenced by writers such as Oscar Wilde, James Baldwin, and Langston Hughes. He attended Ramapo College, where he studied music, but dropped out after two years to pursue a career in acting. He moved to California, where he worked as a bus driver for a while, before returning to New York in the mid-1980s. He started his acting career at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, a cultural hub for poets, musicians, and artists in the Lower East Side. He performed in several plays and poetry readings, and became part of the Nuyorican movement, which celebrated the Puerto Rican heritage and identity. He also joined the LAByrinth Theater Company, a collective of actors, writers, and directors, where he met and collaborated with many prominent artists, such as Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Ortiz, and Stephen Adly Guirgis.

Stage and Screen Roles

Ron Cephas Jones made his Broadway debut in 2007, in the revival of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. He played the role of Wining Boy, a charismatic and troubled musician. He received rave reviews for his performance, and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. He later appeared in other Broadway shows, such as The Motherf**ker with the Hat, Of Mice and Men, and Head of Passes. He also starred in several Off-Broadway productions, such as Between Riverside and Crazy, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, and Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train. He worked with acclaimed directors, such as Sam Mendes, Ethan Hawke, and Anna D. Shapiro. He also performed in regional theaters, such as the Goodman Theatre, the Signature Theatre, and the Public Theater. He was nominated for a Tony Award in 2022, for his role as Turnbo, a gossiping and meddling taxi driver, in Clyde’s, a play by Lynn Nottage, directed by Kate Whoriskey. He won a Drama Desk Award for the same role. He also received a special citation from the Obie Awards for his sustained excellence in theater. Ron Cephas Jones also had a successful career in film and television. He appeared in several movies, such as Half Nelson, Across the Universe, He Got Game, and Venom. He also had guest roles in various TV shows, such as Law & Order, The Blacklist, Mr. Robot, and Luke Cage. However, his most famous and acclaimed role was as William Hill, the estranged and dying father of Randall Pearson, on This Is Us. He joined the cast of the show in 2016, and became a fan favorite. He won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, in 2018 and 2020, for his role. He also received nominations from the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Critics’ Choice Television Awards, and the NAACP Image Awards. He was praised for his portrayal of a complex and nuanced character, who struggled with addiction, abandonment, and illness, but also found redemption, love, and family. He also had a great chemistry with his co-stars, especially Sterling K. Brown, who played his son. He appeared in 25 episodes of the show, from 2016 to 2022, and left a lasting impression on the viewers and the critics.

Personal Life and Death

Ron Cephas Jones was married to Kim Lesley, a British jazz singer, from 1991 to 2004. They had a daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones, who was born in 1989. Jasmine followed her father’s footsteps, and became an actress and singer. She is best known for her roles in Hamilton, Blindspotting, and Mrs. Fletcher. She also won an Emmy Award in 2020, for her role in #FreeRayshawn, making her and her father the first father-daughter duo to win Emmys on the same night. Ron Cephas Jones was very proud of his daughter, and often expressed his love and support for her on social media. He also had a close relationship with his co-stars and colleagues, who described him as a generous, humble, and kind person. He was also a mentor and a friend to many young and aspiring actors, who looked up to him for his wisdom and experience. Ron Cephas Jones suffered from a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which affected his breathing and lung function. He underwent a double lung transplant in 2020, which improved his condition and allowed him to continue his work. However, he still faced some complications and challenges, and had to take medication and precautions. He died on August 19, 2023, at the age of 66, due to a long-standing pulmonary issue, according to his manager. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends. His death was announced by his manager, and confirmed by his daughter, who posted a tribute to him on Instagram. She wrote: “My heart is broken. I lost my best friend, my hero, my everything. You were the greatest father a daughter could ever ask for. You taught me how to live, how to love, how to dream. You were my inspiration, my mentor, my partner in crime. You were my rock, my soul, my light. You gave me the world, and I will always be grateful. You will always be with me, in my heart, in my mind, in my spirit. You will always be my angel, watching over me, guiding me, protecting me. You will always be my daddy, and I will always be your baby girl. I love you more than words can say. Rest in peace, my sweet prince. You are free now.” His death was also mourned by his co-stars and colleagues, who shared their memories and condolences on social media. They praised his talent, his generosity, his humor, and his spirit. They also expressed their gratitude for having known and worked with him, and for having witnessed his brilliance and his grace. They also sent their love and support to his family, especially his daughter, who they considered as their own.

Conclusion

Ron Cephas Jones was an extraordinary actor and a wonderful human being. He had a remarkable and versatile career, spanning from theater to film to television. He won several awards and accolades, and earned the respect and admiration of his peers and his fans. He also touched the lives of many people, with his kindness, his wisdom, and his heart. He left behind a legacy of excellence, beauty, and joy. He will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. He will always be remembered as the Emmy-winning ‘This Is Us’ actor, and as so much more. He will always be Ron Cephas Jones.

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