• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Celebrity

'This Is Us' Star Ron Cephas Jones Spills On His Stellar TV Performance And Working With His Daughter In 'Dog Days'

You’ll Never Guess Who Inspired ‘This Is Us’ Star Ron Cephas Jones’ Onscreen Performance
By Candice Benbow · Updated December 6, 2020
This is Us star Ron Cephas Jones is so superb at portraying William Hill, the onscreen biological father of Sterling K. Brown’s Randall Pearson that he’s already been nominated for his second consecutive Emmy for outstanding guest actor in a drama series. Jones told ESSENCE that he drew on the men in his life to inspire his performance. “William is a historical figure for me,” the actor explained. “He’s the culmination of the men in my family and in my neighborhood. He’s August Wilson and Amiri Baraka. He’s the men of the 60s, 70s and 80s.”
Part of bringing himself to his character included Jones witnessing a close friend battle the same cancer as his character, William. That experience, among others, prepared the 61-year-old actor for one of the most iconic contemporary portrayals of Black masculinity onscreen. “There were so many layers to this man with a dubious past, confronting it and trying to make the best of his present,” he said of his character. “So many people tell me how touched they were by it and it is beautifully overwhelming. I am incredibly grateful.”  While Jones said he didn’t expect the overwhelming reception to William, he’s not surprised thanks to the “many people working to make the show wonderful.”

w/Sterling and Susan.❤️TIU/NBC...😸

A post shared by Ron Cephas Jones (@cephasjaz) on Jul 14, 2018 at 10:39pm PDT

While fans have gotten used to Jones portraying the cool grandfather in the Pearson household on This Is Us, which returns to NBC on September 25, Jones recently stepped away from the tear-jerking scenes in the hit drama and into a lighter ensemble comedy, Dog Days, in theaters now. In Dog Days, which centers on dog owners in Los Angeles, Jones plays a recent widower named Walter, adjusting to life without his spouse and a renewed focus on the couple’s family pet. Drawing on memories of his pet Sparky, Jones told ESSENCE he was “excited” for the role because of his love for dogs and the opportunity to work with such a young cast, including Nina Dobrev and Vanessa Hudgens.  Yet, it is Jones’ real life role as father that gives him the most joy. In the film, Jones co-stars alongside his daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones, who has several musical performances throughout the film. Currently starring in Blindspotting and a member of the original Hamilton cast, Jasmine continues to become one of theater’s breakout stars.
Jones remembers the little girl who accompanied him to auditions “and going to the Nuyorican Poets Café together,” he reminisced. “To see her today makes me extremely proud.” While Jones and Jasmine’s mother, jazz singer Rev. Kim Lesley, were not together during her childhood, Jones said healthy co-parenting is the key. “It took sacrifices on both sides and … therapy,” he admitted. “We were separate parents but we were committed to being parents. We’re proud of her success but, more than anything, she’s happy and she’s healthy. And that’s really all a parent can ask for.”  When asked about the role of the artist in such a politically-charged moment in U.S. history, Jones reminded us that not much has changed.

A post shared by Ron Cephas Jones (@cephasjaz) on Jul 13, 2018 at 3:50pm PDT

“We have always been a people who made things. Everything about our art is political. William is political. ESSENCE is political. I grew up on the magazine, looking at the covers. Seeing ourselves on the cover is political. There is a history and support for each other there,” he boasted. As he looks at the work of artists and activists, Jones is inspired and encouraged. “When you know your history, you have a better vision of where you’re going,” he said, wisely. “And, when you have that, there’s no stopping you.” 
TOPICS:  dog days emmy Ron Cephas Jones This Is Us
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now