Stage and screen actor Ron Cephas Jones, best known for his role as William Hill on This Is Us, has died. He was 66 years old.
Sterling K. Brown, who played his son on the series, mourned the lost of his TV father on his Instagram account. “Life imitated art today, and one of the most wonderful people the world has ever seen is no longer with us,” Brown wrote.
“@cephasjaz has passed away, and the world is a little less bright. Brother, you are loved. And you will be missed. Keep them laughing in the next phase of existence, and I’ll see you when I get there.”
Jones spent the first part of his career on stage, performing acclaimed roles in theater productions of Don’t Explain and Holiday Heart, and inRichard III with The Public Theater in New York. Cephas also appeared in over 30 films and series during his career.
Here are six iconic projects to watch to celebrate Jones’ life.
This is Us
Jones made us laugh, cry and feel as William Hill, Randall Pearson’s biological father, on the acclaimed six-season series. The distinguished actor won two Emmys for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, first in 2018 and again in 2020, for his moving performances.
Dolemite Is My Name
Capturing the real-life story of filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore, the comedy and rap pioneer who created his kung-fu fighting alter ego Dolemite, which would go on to become became a 1970s Blaxploitation phenomenon, Jones appears as Ricco in the 2019 film.
Dogs Days
Starring as a widower in this 2018 film about the intertwining lives of four canines, Cephas’ daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones, also appears in the film. The Hamilton star plays a singer.
Venom
Cephas joined a star-studded cast in Venom, which is about a go-getter journalist who becomes possessed by an alien entity and ultimately decides to protect his new homeland. Cephas plays Jack in the 2018 antihero action film.
Marvel’s Luke Cage
Cephas starred as Bobby Fish, a friend of Pops, in this dramatic telling of the super-strenghed hero. When Pops dies, Bobby becomes friends with Luke Cage, helping him to deal with his grief and confront those responsible for Pop’s death.
Across the Universe
Cephas appears as a Black Panter in this musical drama that brings together Beatles music, the Vietnam War and true love in this 2007 film.
