Three Iconic Roles of Actor Jonathan Joss

Over the course of his career, Joss appeared on a variety of formats, animated series, live-action sitcoms and feature films. His work was also said to have contributed to better Native American representation in media. Three memorable ones are here.

King of the Hill's John Redcorn
Joss voiced the character John Redcorn, a Native American "licensed New Age healer," from the second season of King of the Hill. Based in the fictitious town of Arlen, Tex., the show centered on the Hill family and their neighbors.

In every episode, Redcorn's fans saw him as being tranquil, a man grounded in spirituality, and extremely connected to his Native roots. During one of his biggest storylines in Season 4, Redcorn gets into a legal battle with the the Bureau of Indian Affairs in a quest to win back tribe land. In an ironic turn of events, Dale Gribble — who is unaware of Redcorn's decade-long sexual relationship with his wife Nancy — actually assists Redcorn by introducing him to the Freedom of Information Act. Redcorn eventually calls off the affair after 14 years to spare Dale after earlier sleeping with both of the series' other female protagonists, Minh and Peggy, neither of whom the affair interests (with Minh being horrified and Peggy being too drunk to care).

Cultural critics have remarked on Joss's role as Redcorn. Some have even called Redcorn "arguably the most developed and complex indigenous character in US sitcom history," though, again, this is perhaps a further indictment of how underdeveloped Native representation has been historically.

Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation
Joss portrayed the intelligent and quick-witted leader of the Native American tribe in the live-action sitcom Parks and Recreation Chief Ken Hotate. His character frequently sparred with Leslie Knope and the city government of Pawnee on land matters.

Chief Hotate dabbled in stereotypes about his own people, too, once facing the camera and saying that he hoped his ancestors didn't "curse" a local festival being held on some sacred ground — because, he said, "white people are terrified of curses." His character, with humor and depth, pointed to the substance of indigenous history and injustice in a satirical fashion.

Critics lauded this role for its intelligent application of self-awareness. In portraying Hotate as both a tribal leader and a casino owner, the show lampooned stereotypes, but also alluded to actual serious problems, rendering the complex more palatable for viewers.

Denali in The Magnificent Seven (2016)
Joss also portrayed the villainous Denali, a dangerous exiled member of the Comanche tribe, in The Magnificent Seven. In this Western remake film, Denali serves as personal assassin to a rich tycoon, featured in activity sequences wielding arrows along with melee combat.

Though dark by character, it also showed again the range of Joss as an actor. He once said that his father would have loved the movie, a measure of the personal satisfaction he took in the role.