‘This Is Us’ Cast Honors Ron Cephas Jones Following His Death: “I Am Just So Sad”

Just when we thought we escaped the tears This Is Us brought to our eyes for six emotional seasons seasons, Ron Cephas Jones — the Emmy Award-winning actor who played William Hill on the show — passed away at the age of 66. In light of the heartbreaking news, his This Is Us family took to social media to mourn their loss.

Sterling K. Brown, who played Jones’ biological son Randall Pearson, was of the first to honor his co-star in an Instagram post.

“Life imitated art today, and one of the most wonderful people the world has ever seen is no longer with us,” he 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. ❤️✌🏿✊🏿 “

In a separate post, Chrissy Metz, who played Kate Pearson, thanked Jones for “brightening every room” he walked into.

“I’ll never forget and have been changed by your kind heart, amazing spirit, immeasurable talent and beautiful smile,” she said. “May your transition be full of light and peace. Sending all of my love to Jasmine & his loved ones during this time. You are truly the coolest cat🐈‍⬛❤️🎭”

Mandy Moore, who starred alongside Jones as Rebecca Pearson, posted a photo from when they were working one of the show’s final episodes, which aired in 2022. She referred to working with Jones as “the greatest gift” and praised him as “pure magic as a human and an artist.”

“Even though he wasn’t around set as much as we all wished, he was such an intrinsic part of the fabric of the show, it’s like he was always there,” she said. “I’ll never forget how special it was to film this particular episode and welcome him back to say a proper goodbye to our TIU family and the whole experience. I am just so sad. My thoughts and love are with Jasmine and his family and friends.”

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Susan Kelechi Watson worked closely with Jones in her role as Randall’s ride-or-die wife, Beth. In a lengthy message, the actress opened up about the “instant gravitation” she had toward her castmate.

“Was it the New York energy, both of us getting a big break at the same time, the coolness, the swag, the stories of hardships and triumphs, the honesty, the laughter, the humor, the laughter, the laughter, the humor and the honesty,” she began, “The genuiness. The freedom and generosity with which you gave your authentic self. Letting me know you. The joy of your meteoric rise at 59 years of life. Sharing deeply in that joy. The fact that I could say, “Hey…wanna go to a diner and rehearse this scene?” and you were 100% down with it because that’s where you came from.”

She later added, “I appreciate all the check-ins we shared as you continued your journey onto new adventures. The reunions we had and the love that was always there. You were my friend. And what a blessing in this life to have a friend called You. You LOVED being an actor, an artist, a forever student of life.”

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Chris Sullivan, who played Toby, wrote, “I cannot believe he is gone! It doesn’t seem possible. He was such a generous and compassionate heart. I am so grateful for the time we spent together,” while Jon Huertas, who played Miguel, added his own touching message.

“Ron, you were one of the most talented and warm men I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. So giving, both personally and artistically,” he said. “You will be missed not only by me but the world will miss your spirit. But the remarkable gift of having you grace our stages and screens will live on in our hearts forever. Love ya @cephasjaz …you’re on to the next performance.”

Dan Fogelman, the creator of This Is Us, also posted a tribute to the late actor.

“A massive loss. Ron was the best of the best — on screen, on stage, and in real life. The coolest,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.. “The easiest hang and laugh. And my God: what an actor. I don’t think I ever changed a single take of his in a cut… because everything he did was perfect…”

He continued, “I first got to know Ron at the start of This Is Us, a magical time when it felt like we were all being shot out of a cannon. He was always steady, always grateful – even as the madness swirled around us. He loved actors. He LOVED his daughter. And we loved him. All of Us.”

Jones, who won two Emmys for Outstanding Guest Actor for his role in This Is Us, suffered from a “long-standing pulmonary issue,” according to People. In a 2021 interview with The New York Times, he revealed that he had received a double lung transplant the year before. He is survived by his daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones.