Sterling K. Brown and Mandy Moore led the moving tributes to their former castmate Ron Cephas Jones.
The actor passed away at the age of 66 after complications from a long-standing pulmonary issue, according to People.
Tributes for the late actor poured in on social media from Ron’s colleagues in Hollywood, with many that knew him remembering him for his authentic spirit.
Sharing a photograph of himself and Ron, who played his biological father on This Is Us, Sterling wrote: ‘Life imitated art today and one of the most wonderful people the world has ever seen is no longer with us.
He added: ‘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.’
Tribute: Like father, like son: Ron Cephas Jones’s on-screen son in This Is Us, Sterling K. Brown, wrote a heartwarming tribute to the Paid In Full actor following his death aged 66
Treasured moments: Mandy Moore, best known for playing the Pearson family matriarch in This Is Us, recounted how Ron was, ‘pure magic as a human and an artist’
Mandy Moore, best known for playing the Pearson family matriarch in This Is Us, recounted how Ron was, ‘pure magic as a human and an artist.’
She penned: ‘Getting to know and work with Ron on the wild ride of “This Is Us” was the greatest gift- he was pure magic as a human and an artist…I will treasure all of the moments forever.
‘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.
‘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. Love you, @cephasjaz.’
Oscar-award winning actress Viola Davis recalled Ron’s, ‘little girl Jasmine running around the Public Theater,’ revealing how long she had been friends with the Shazam! star.
She wrote: ‘Oh no!!! Man…this hurts me deep. I’ve known you close to thirty years. I remember your little girl Jasmine running around The Public Theatre in NYC.
‘I remember how much you loved her. How much you loved the work…how much you just LOVED! The passion and zeal you had for life and how you infused it in ALL you did! You were ALIVE!!! You lived your life out loud my friend….
‘You’ve earned your rest. Wish we had you longer. Prayers and blessings to Jasmine….to your loved ones. You are now amongst the ancestors you so fervently lit candles to. Love you Ron…always.’
Remembering Ron: Viola Davis posted a sweet tribute in honor of her late friend
Kind hearted: This Is Us star Chrissy Metz, who played Kate Pearson, posted a photograph of herself with Ron and the This Is Us leading actors
Memories: Sharing a photograph of them together to Instagram, Octavia Spencer, who starred with Ron in Apple TV’s Truth Be Told, admitted she was heartbroken
Sharing a photograph of them together to Instagram, Octavia Spencer, who starred with Ron in Apple TV’s Truth Be Told, penned: ‘I’m heartbroken to lose my dear friend and colleague Ron Cephas Jones @cephasjaz.
‘Ron was an incredibly talented actor and, most importantly, a wonderfully kind human being. Every day on set with Ron was a good day. I’m sending all my love to his daughter Jasmine, family, friends and fans.
‘Update: this one is hitting very hard. I learned so much from Ron in every single scene we had together. Whenever I saw his name on the call sheet I would get excited because I knew I’d be getting a year’s worth of technique in that 8 hour day.
‘For those pursuing acting as a living, let Emmy Award Winner, Ron Cephas Jones, be the type of perfection you strive to achieve. That man could break down a scene. Jasmine gets it honestly.’
This Is Us star Chrissy Metz, who played Kate Pearson, posted a photograph of herself with Ron and the This Is Us leading actors.
She thanked him for ‘brightening every room’ he walked into.
Chrissy wrote: ‘Ron, thank you for brightening every room you walked into. I’ll never forget and have been changed by your kind heart, amazing spirit, immeasurable talent and beautiful smile.
‘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.’
In memoriam: Ron Cephas Jones passed away at the age of 66 due to a long-standing pulmonary issue, according to a representative for the actor; seen in This Is Us
Ron passed away at the age of 66 after complications from a long-standing pulmonary issue, according to People.
A representative for the actor told the outlet via an official statement – ‘Throughout the course of his career, his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness and heart were felt by anyone who had the good fortune of knowing him.’
The statement concluded with, ‘He began his career at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and his love for the stage was present throughout his entire career, including his recent Tony nominated and Drama Desk Award winning performance for his role in Clyde’s on Broadway.’
Known best for his Emmy-award winning guest role on the hit NBC drama This Is Us, Ron had been acting since his first film appearance in the 1994 movie Murder Magic.
The accomplished late actor is survived by his daughter, 34-year-old Hamilton star Jasmine Cephas Jones.
Truly starting off as a bonafide thespian, Ron got his start on the stage after performing at the Nuyorican Poets Café with the lead role in the 1994 production of the stage play Holiday Heart.
The versatile actor would go on to 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 gathering acting credits in various films and television shows, the Luke Cage star captured the world’s attention with his portrayal of Randall Pearson’s biological father in This Is Us.
Accomplished actor: The late This Is Us star was nominated for an Emmy four consecutive times for his performance on the NBC series
Dating dad: The late This Is Us star was close to his only daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones; seen in June 2021
As his acting career was picking up, the stage and screen star started to date British singer Kim Lesley.
Although the couple never tied the knot during the span of their relationship, Kim did give birth to Ron’s only daughter Jasmine in 1989.
The doting dad proudly pointed out that Jasmine was his, ‘superstar daughter’ when they jointly announced the 2021 Emmy nominees.
The pair made Emmy history with their wins, being the first father and daughter duo to take home collective Emmys the same year in the history of the noted awards program.
#actor #Ron #Cephas #Jones #onscreen #son #Sterling #Brown #costar #Mandy #Moore #lead #moving #tributes #death #aged
