This article discusses a real-life shooting and alleged hate crime and homophobia.
Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for King of the Hill season 14, episode 10.The ending of theKing of the Hillrevival left things on a positive note, but Jonathan Joss' death turned the season 14 finale into a bittersweet moment. Jonathan Joss voiced John Redcorn throughout the originalKing of the Hilland its revival. Though he finished his lines for season 14, Joss was shot and killed on June 23, 2025 (viaCBS). His husband alleges it was a homophobic hate crime.
Joss is only the most recent death in theKing of the Hillfamily.Johnny Hardwick (Dale), as well as bothBrittany Murphy (Luanne) and Tom Petty (Lucky), all passed away beforeKing of the Hillseason 14 could be released. Joss' death, however, presents a unique problem for future seasons ofKing of the Hill, and it turned the season 14 finale into a bittersweet affair.
John Redcorn Was Going To Reconnect With Joseph & Start A Business With The Hills
Unlike the otherKing of the Hillcharacters whose voice actors passed away, Jonathan Joss died after all of his lines were recorded for season 14.That meansKing of the Hillalready had plans to continue John Redcorn’s story, but they’ve been tinged with tragedy following Joss' death. Joss' death obviously wasn’t anticipated, soKing of the Hillis in a tough spot now.
King of the Hillseason 14 set up two distinct storylines focusing on John Redcorn.TheKing of the Hillrevival set John Redcorn up to reconnect with his illegitimate son, Joseph, and go into business with Hank and Peggy. Redcorn agreed to take Bobby’s horse on the condition that Joseph comes to visit him, and he started a corn-selling business with the Hills as investors.
Mike Judge, Greg Daniels, and Saladin Patterson released a statement responding to Jonathan Joss' death. “His voice will be missed at King of the Hill, and we extend our deepest condolences to Jonathan’s friends and family.”
Both of John Redcorn’s stories inKing of the Hillseason 14 seemed like the start of a new narrative for the character.If Mike Judge and Saladin Patterson are planning on makingKing of the Hillseason 15, they almost certainly planned to include John Redcorn as much or more than they already have. Now, however, there’s a distinct problem with the character.
The Show Has To Decide What To Do With The Character
King Of The Hill Has To Decide To Recast Or Retire John Redcorn Now That Joss Has Passed On
King of the Hillhas already had to deal with the aforementioned deaths of Johnny Hardwick, Brittany Murphy, and Tom Petty. Murphy and Petty’s characters were “retired” from the show, while Dale was recast with Toby Huss.King of the Hillis clearly open to both options, so it now has to decide which route it will take with Jonathan Joss' John Redcorn.
IfKing of the Hillseason 15 wants to continue the stories it already set up for John Redcorn, recasting seems like the only option. It wouldn’t even be the first time John Redcorn has been recast; he was originally voiced by Victor Aaron in his first two appearances before Aaron died in 1996 and Joss replaced him. Alternatively,King of the Hillcould memorialize Joss by removing John Redcorn from future seasons.
Aside from the logistical problemsKing of the Hillis now facing, Joss' death also turned the finale into a somber moment. John Redcorn’s story was just getting restarted, and it looked like he was going to get a bigger role in season 15. John Redcorn’s future looked bright inKing of the Hill, but now there’s a tragedy forever tied to the character.
