Ron Cephas Jones (1957–2023), Emmy-winning This Is Us actor
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2 min readRon Cephas Jones was an actor who won two Emmy Awards for his portrayal of William Hill on the hit NBC drama “This Is Us.”
- Died: August 19, 2023 (Who else died on August 19?)
- Details of death: Died of a long-standing pulmonary issue at the age of 66.
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Ron Cephas Jones’s legacy
Jones was best known for his role on “This Is Us” as Randall’s biological father, appearing prominently in the show’s first two seasons and then as a recurring guest for the remainder of the show. He was honored with Emmy Awards for his sensitive performance of a man atoning for his difficult past while dying of stomach cancer. However, it was far from his only notable role on TV, in movies, and onstage.
On TV, Jones played religion teachers Dr. Hyde on “Looking for Alaska” and Shreve Scoville on “Truth Be Told.” He had recurring roles on “Mr. Robot,” “Luke Cage,” “The Get Down,” “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” and “Better Things.” Jones’ other TV appearances included “Law & Order,” “NYPD Blue,” and “The Blacklist,” as well as the TV movies “Lisey’s Story” and “A Raisin in the Sun.” He had roles in such movies as “He Got Game,” “Sweet and Lowdown,” “Across the Universe,” “Venom,” and “Dolemite Is My Name.” In 2022, Jones won a Drama Desk Award and was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in “Clyde’s.”
In 2020, Jones had a double lung transplant after battling COPD for years.
Jones on “This Is Us”
“It gave me a chance to show people my level of work. So, I’m getting work because of my work as opposed to trying to toil. I’ve done that all those years in New York. It’s the idea that my work after all is perseverance. It took a little while, but it paid off in the end.” —from a 2022 interview for Today
Tributes to Ron Cephas Jones
Full obituary: The New York Times
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