Who was Ron Cephas Jones
Ron Cephas Jones (January 8, 1957 – August 19, 2023) was a notable American actor, most renowned for his portrayal of William Hill in the dramatic series This Is Us (2016–2022). His exceptional performance garnered him consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations, achieving victory twice for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2018 and 2020.
Jones graced television screens with his presence in various series, including Mr. Robot (2015–2016), The Get Down (2016–2017), Luke Cage (2016–2018), and Truth Be Told (2019–2023). He also made significant appearances in a range of films, encompassing Half Nelson (2006), Across the Universe (2007), Glass Chin (2014), The Holiday Calendar (2018), Dog Days (2018) and Dolemite Is My Name (2019)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Ron Cephas Jones |
| Birth Name/Full Name | – |
| Nickname(s) | – |
| Other Name(s) | Ron C. Jones, Ron Cephaf Jones |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of Birth | January 08, 1957 |
| Death |
19 August 2023 |
| Death Cause |
long-standing pulmonary issue. |
| Wife |
Kim Lesley |
| Daughter |
Jasmine Cephas Jones |
| Birthplace | Paterson, New Jersey, USA |
| Citizenship | American |
| Height | 1.85 m |
| Weight | 72- kg |
| Profession(s) | Actor, Soundtrack |
Early Life and Education
Born on January 8, 1957, in Paterson, New Jersey, Jones’s formative years were shaped by his surroundings. He pursued his education at John F. Kennedy High School and successfully obtained his degree from Ramapo College. During his time at Ramapo, Jones initially had aspirations to study jazz under the guidance of director Arnold Jones (no familial relation). However, a pivotal moment occurred when he secured the lead role in a production of Cinderella Ever After during his sophomore year, prompting him to shift his academic focus to theater.
In 1978, Jones proudly graduated from Ramapo College, marking the beginning of his journey. He made his way to Los Angeles, California, where he embarked on a unique path – for the next four years, he navigated the streets as a bus driver for the Southern California Rapid Transit District.
These years were marked by personal events as well; he experienced love, became a parent, and underwent a separation. Subsequently, he embarked on a period of exploration, residing in various locales including San Francisco, Arizona, and New Orleans, before eventually finding his way back to his hometown of New York City in 1985.
Career Overview
Upon his return to New York in 1985, Jones’s journey led him to the vibrant atmosphere of the Nuyorican Poets Café in Manhattan’s East Village. During this period, he took part in a play inspired by Billie Holiday’s song “Don’t Explain”. His compelling performance did not go unnoticed, catching the eye of a casting director who offered him the lead role in the Cheryl West play “Holiday Heart”, directed by Tazewell Thompson, in 1994.
Jones has left his mark on numerous theater productions, collaborating with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois, and gracing the stage as the title character in Shakespeare’s “Richard III” with The Public Theater in New York City, among other Off-Broadway endeavors.
He has also assumed understudy and standby roles in various Broadway theater productions. In 2014, Jones captivated audiences as Prometheus in “Prometheus Bound”, directed by Travis Preston through the CalArts Center for New Performance. In 2022, his role in Lynn Nottage’s play “Clyde’s” earned him a Tony Award nomination.
His cinematic journey boasts an array of films, including appearances in “He Got Game” (1998), “Sweet and Lowdown” (1999), “Half Nelson” (2006), and “Across The Universe” (2007). In the realm of television, he embodied the character Reverend Lowdown in the episode “The Goat Rodeo” of the 2013 series “Low Winter Sun”, and assumed the role of Romero, a “fsociety” member, in the 2015 series “Mr. Robot”. His presence was also felt in the third season of the show “Banshee”, portraying Philadelphia kingpin Mr.
Frasier, and as Harlem chess master Bobby Fish in the first season of Marvel’s “Luke Cage”. Notably, Jones became a fixture on the NBC drama series “This Is Us”, embodying the character William Hill, the biological father of Randall Pearson (Sterling K. Brown). His portrayal in “This Is Us” garnered immense acclaim, earning him the prestigious Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in both 2018 and 2020.
Expanding his television repertoire, Jones made appearances in the Hulu teen drama series “Looking for Alaska”, as well as the Apple TV+ crime drama series “Truth Be Told”, sharing the screen with talents like Octavia Spencer, Lizzy Caplan, and Aaron Paul.
Personal Life
Jones shared a significant chapter of his life with British-born jazz singer Kim Lesley, and their union brought forth a daughter, the accomplished American stage and screen actress Jasmine Cephas Jones.
Death
Tragically, Jones passed away in August 2023, at the age of 66, succumbing to a “long-standing pulmonary issue.”
Ron Cephas Jones’s Earnings and Income Overview-Net Worth
Ron Cephas Jones, born on January 8, 1957, is a distinguished American actor known for his impactful performances. He achieved prominence through his role in the captivating drama series “This Is Us” (2016-2018), which led to two consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Beyond television, Jones has graced both the film and television worlds, leaving his mark in productions like “Half Nelson” (2006), and “Glass Chin” (2014), and his appearances in the first two seasons of “Mr. Robot”.
Financial Snapshot:
Net Worth: Ron Cephas Jones’s estimated net worth stands at $700,000.
Income and Salary Breakdown:
Per Year: $40,000
Per Month: $3,333.33
Per Week: $769.23
Per Day: $109.59
Per Hour: $4.57
Per Minute: $0.08
Per Second: $0
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Ron Cephas Jones
Q: When was Ron Cephas Jones born?
Ans: Ron Cephas Jones was born on January 8, 1957, in Paterson, New Jersey.
Q: What were Ron’s childhood aspirations?
Ans: From a young age, Ron aspired to become a renowned stage actor, drawing inspiration from the remarkable stage performers of the ’70s era.
Q: Which theater performances stand out for Ron Cephas Jones?
Ans: Ron took part in a range of stage productions, garnering awards for his remarkable performances. Noteworthy works include ‘Gem of the Ocean,’ ‘The Motherfucker with the Hat,’ and ‘Prometheus Bound.’
Q: What were Ron’s pivotal TV roles?
Ans: Ron’s presence on hit TV series like ‘Mr. Robot,’ ‘Luke Cage,’ and his portrayal of ‘William Hill’ in ‘This Is Us’ propelled him to recognition and prominence.
Q: Has Ron Cephas Jones been honored with awards for his acting?
Ans: Absolutely, Ron has been celebrated with prestigious awards such as ‘Primetime Emmy Awards’ and ‘Obie Awards’ in recognition of his exceptional contributions to both theater and television.