Ron Cephas Jones’ cause of death
Ron Cephas Jones’ cause of death was revealed in a statement by his representative announcing his death on August 19, 2023. “Beloved and award-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones has passed away at the age of 66 due to a long-standing pulmonary issue,” his rep shared.
“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 continued. “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.”
The statement concluded, “Ron’s inner-beauty and soul was evident to the huge audience from his multi-Emmy award winning performance on This is Us. He is survived by his daughter Jasmine Cephas Jones.”
Prior to his death, Jones was open about his health struggles and revealed his diagnosis in an interview with the The New York Times in 2021. In May 2020, he received a double-lung transplant at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center after years of privately battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He went on to spend nearly two months on and off a ventilator while learning how breathe, eat, and walk again. He told the Times that his love of acting is what fueled his recovery: “My whole life has been the stage,” Jones said. “The idea of not performing again seemed worse to me than death.”
The Law & Order: Organized Crime star also discussed his recovery in an interview with Today in June 2022, noting that it wasn’t an easy journey. “I don’t want to say a miracle, but I was very fortunate. I had great doctors. It still was a very difficult and arduous recovery. I’m recovering for the rest of my life,” Jones told the publication at the time. “You don’t get new lungs and start running track. It’s a procedure that you have to constantly work on your body. Medication is involved and therapy.”
Jones was grateful to the support of his This is Us co-stars and producers, who were there for him throughout his health battles. “You cats held me when I was struggling and you didn’t let me go,” he said on his final day on set, per Entertainment Weekly. “You’ve been there for a very difficult part of my life. I’m a walking miracle.”




















