Ron Cephas Jones passed away at age 66 after complications from a long-term lung condition, according to People.
A rep for the actor told the outlet through an official statement, “Throughout his career, his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness and heart have been felt by all who were fortunate enough to know him.”
The statement ended with, “He began his career at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and his love of the stage has been present throughout his career, including his recent Tony-nominated and Drama Desk Award-winning performance for his role in Clyde’s on Broadway.”
Best known for his Emmy award-winning guest role on the hit NBC drama This Is Us, Ron has been acting since his first screen appearance in the 1994 film Murder Magic.
The talented late actor is survived by his daughter, 34-year-old Hamilton star Jasmine Cephas Jones.
In Memoriam: Ron Cephas Jones passed away today at the age of 66 due to a long-standing lung condition, according to a rep for the actor; seen in October 2021
Experienced actor: The late This Is Us star was nominated for an Emmy four times in a row for his performance in the NBC series
Truly starting out as a bona fide thespian, Ron got his start on stage after performing at the Nuyorican Poets Café starring in the 1994 production of the play Holiday Heart.
The versatile actor would later play the titular character in Shakespeare’s Richard III in New York City at the Public Theater, in addition to appearing in several stage productions in Chicago, among others.
After years of accumulating acting credits in various films and television shows, the Luke Cage star caught the world’s attention with his portrayal of Randall Pearson’s (Sterling K. Brown) biological father in This Is Us.
While his acting career was picking up, the stage and movie star started dating British singer Kim Lesley.
Although the couple never tied the knot during their relationship, Kim gave birth to Ron’s only daughter Jasmine in 1989.
The doting dad proudly pointed out that Jasmine was his “superstar daughter” when they made the announcement together 2021 Emmy Nominees.
He was referring to the fact that they both won Emmys in 2020 – Jasmine for her performance in the Quibi series #FreeRayshawn, and Ron for This Is Us.
While announcing the nominations for the award, the Hamilton singer joked that her father embarrassed her, to which Ron replied, “I’m sorry honey… But we made a little bit of television history last year. I mean, I know I’m biased, but I think your Emmy is the best Emmy in the world.”
Dating Dad: The late This Is Us star was close to his only daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones; seen in June 2021
Stage Star: Although best known for his This Is Us role, Ron had a prolific career in theater and began acting in stage productions; seen in 2014 in a production of ‘Of Mice And Men’
Leaving a Legacy: Ron was nominated four times for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for This Is Us and would go on to win the coveted award twice; seen in This is us
Million Dollar Smile: The late Looking For Alaska star made it clear how proud he was of his daughter for winning her own Emmy; seen in August 2019
As they continued their heartwarming father and daughter banter during the announcement of the 2021 Emmy nominations, the Blindspotting actress joked that her Emmy was “very much” looking up to her dad’s Emmy.
With a dry sense of humour, the Dolemite Is My Name actor replied, “Wait a minute, which one? Because I have two.’
The pair made Emmy history with their wins, as they became the first father and daughter duo to take home a collective Emmy in the same year in the history of the well-known awards program.
Tributes for the late actor are already pouring in on social media, with many who knew him remembering Ron for his authentic spirit.
The Photograph actress has yet to publicly respond to the sad passing of her father.