Ron Cephas Jones Dead At Age 66

'This Is Us' star Ron Cephas Jones, has passed away at the age of 66.

“Beloved and award-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones has passed away at the age of 66 due to a long-standing pulmonary issue.”

“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. 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 daughter Jasmine Cephas Jones."

He was best known for 'This Is Us' portraying William Hill, the biological father of Randall Pearson (Sterling K. Brown). This won him an Emmy in 2018, and another in 2020.

That year, his daughter Jasmine also earned he first Emmy, making them the first ever father-daughter winners in the same year.

Also having appeared in 'Law & Order: Organized Crime,' he previously revealed he privately battled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and received a double lung transplant in 2020.

He said his performance in 'Clyde's' on Broadway motivated him to recover quickly.

“I don’t want to say a miracle, but I was very fortunate. I had great doctors. It still was a very difficult and arduous recovery. I’m recovering for the rest of my life. You don’t get new lungs and start running track. It’s a procedure that you have to constantly work on your body. Medication is involved and therapy.” 

He had also recalled how his costars and producers helped him through a health scare on his final day on set.

"You cats held me when I was struggling and you didn't let me go. You've been there for a very difficult part of my life. I'm a walking miracle."

"My whole life has been the stage. The idea of not performing again seemed worse to me than death."

He has also appeared in 'Mr. Robot' (2015 - 2016), 'The Get Down' (2016 - 2017), 'Luke Cage' (2016 - 2018), 'Looking For Alaska' (2019), and 'Truth Be Told' (2019 - 2023).

His film credits include 'He Got Game' (1998), 'Sweet and Lowdown' (1999), 'Half Nelson' (2006), 'Across the Universe' (2007), 'Glass Chin' (2014), 'The Holiday Calendar' (2018), 'Dog Days' (2018), and 'Dolemite Is My Name' (2019).

He was also a member of New York's Off-Broadway LAByrinth Theater Company, with one of his performances being Crooks in 'Of Mice and Men' (2014).

It was reported he was cast in the fourth installment of 'Genius: MLK/X.' He will be portraying Elijah Muhammad, the "powerful, confident and complicated" leader of the Nation of Islam and teacher and mentor of Malcolm X. This will be his last credited role.