Ron Cephas Jones of This Is Us dies at 66

This Is Us star Ron Cephas Jones has died. He was 66.

The Emmy winner, who took house the Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series award twice for his position on the NBC drama, died on account of a “long-standing pulmonary issue,” his consultant stated in a press release to Yahoo Entertainment.

“Throughout the course of his career, his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness and heart were felt by anyone who had the good fortune of knowing him,” the assertion learn. “He began his career at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and his love for the stage was present throughout his entire career, 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 huge audience from his multi-Emmy award winning performance on This is Us.” He is survived by his actress-singer daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones, finest recognized for her position as Peggy Schuyler within the authentic Broadway manufacturing of Hamilton.

Jones portrayed William on This Is Us, the organic father of Sterling Okay. Brown’s character Randall. In a heartfelt Instagram publish on Saturday, Brown paid tribute to his TV dad, writing partly, “The world is a little less bright. Brother, you are loved. And you will be missed.”

Jones’s tv credit additionally included roles on reveals like Mr. Robot, Looking for Alaska, Truth Be Told, Law & Order: Organized Crime, and Better Things.

He additionally appeared in motion pictures like Dolemite is My Name, Dog Days, The Holiday Calendar, and Half Nelson.

In May 2020, Jones, a lifelong smoker, obtained a double lung transplant on account of his persistent obstructive pulmonary illness, per his 2021 interview with The New York Times. The actor spent two months on and off a ventilator, studying tips on how to eat and breathe once more. He initially didn’t need to undergo with the surgical procedure, he stated, because of the chance that he would want an oxygen tank for the remaining of his profession.

“I was in total denial,” Jones stated at the time. “I told myself that it would pass, or that I was just getting older. I was afraid and didn’t want to change what I wasn’t ready to change.”

He referred to as the thought of not with the ability to carry out once more “worse than death.”

On X, the platform previously generally known as Twitter, followers of Jones’s work expressed their condolences.

“Such a huge lost,” wrote one X person. “Ron Cephas Jones was an exceptional actor in every single thing that he did he stole the show, I always going to remember his incredible performance as William in This Is Us, he stole my heart and he’s going to be remember as one of a kind. Rest in Peace.”

“I am such a fan of Ron Cephas Jones’ work,” one other shared. “He was one of the most compelling and moving actors that I got to witness. His role as William Hill in This Is Us was one of the best roles ever to exist on television and has impacted me in so many ways. Rest easy.”

“Everything Ron Cephas Jones touched turned to gold for real,” shared a 3rd. “What a devastating loss.”