King of the Hill Revival Honors Jonathan Joss with Heartfelt Sendoff for John Redcorn
I’m Zoe Bennett, a journalistic expert delivering a well-researched, analytical take with key insights and data. The facts matter: here is what we know so far.
In the season finale of King of the Hill Revival, the producers crafted a poignant farewell to John Redcorn, voiced by the late Jonathan Joss. The episode premiered two months after Joss was fatally shot on June 1, 2023, in his San Antonio neighborhood, and it features a dedication card pairing the actor’s image with his animated alter ego.
The narrative begins with John offering his artisanal red corn to Hank Hill and his friends Dale, Bill and Jeff. He explains that his startup, John Redcorn’s Texas-Grown Red Corn, is under threat from a pack of wild hogs ravaging his fields. From the opening scene, the plot combines humor and heartache as Hank pledges to help his friend defend the crop that defines John’s livelihood.
True to character, Hank organizes a strategic operation that culminates in the successful trapping of the wild swine. In the closing minutes, John informs Peggy and Hank that his projected operating profit margin will climb to 38 percent once the hogs are out of the picture. In a gesture of solidarity, the Hill couple decides to invest in John’s business, signaling both financial support and emotional closure for the character.
Before the credits rolled, the show included a title card reading In loving memory of Jonathan Joss alongside a side-by-side portrait of the actor and John Redcorn. This tribute arrives after the Dan Antonio Police Department confirmed Joss’s death, and TMZ reported that a neighbor allegedly fired shots from a vehicle before fleeing the scene. The dedication underscores the production’s respect for Jonathan’s contribution to the series since season two of the original run.
Law enforcement records show that Sigfredo Alvarez-Cega was arrested on June 2 and charged with murder, facing a bail set at $200,000. Witness statements filed with local authorities helped piece together the events leading up to the shooting. These details provide context to the abrupt loss felt by fans and colleagues alike.
Beyond King of the Hill, Jonathan Joss was renowned for his recurring role as Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation. In a 2014 interview with My San Antonio, he compared Hotate to a modern day oracle and described scenes with Amy Poehler as “standing next to Lucille Ball.” Colleagues paid tribute as well. Chris Pratt posted on his Instagram Story that Jonathan was “always such a kind dude” and asked fans to keep his memory in their prayers.
This revival episode demonstrates how animated series can honor real life losses within their fictional worlds. By weaving John Redcorn’s tribute into the storyline, the creative team balanced respect for Jonathan Joss’s legacy with ongoing character development. Fans have responded positively on social media, praising the episode for its sensitivity and narrative cohesion.
And that’s how the hills say goodbye: keep your antennas tuned for the next episode’s harvest of insights.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, Dan Antonio Police Department, TMZ, My San Antonio
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
