As Jones recounted to the New York Occasions, his early profession within the arts was derailed by a heroin habit that led to an arrest and a number of makes an attempt at rehabilitation. He received clear for the final time in 1986, and went on to star in his first play, Samuel B. Harps’ “Do not Clarify” on the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, in 1990.
Reflecting on his late-blooming success in a 2020 interview with Gold Derby, Jones mentioned that he had “waited a very long time” for individuals to note his work, and his award wins had been essential primarily as an indication that individuals had been listening to his performances. “I simply love doing the work and persistently being nominated and successful simply says to me that individuals are acknowledging the work, saying ‘regardless of the case could also be, Ron’s work deserves to be seen,'” the actor defined. “It did not change into in regards to the wins after that, it simply grew to become the truth that I used to be saying to myself, ‘my work is resonating, individuals are truly noticing my work.'”
Jones is survived by his daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones, who was a part of the unique forged of “Hamilton” on Broadway and received her first Emmy in 2020. That was the identical yr that Ron received his second Emmy award for “This Is Us,” making them the primary ever father-daughter pair to win in the identical yr.
“He strikes by means of the world like a cool jazz man, however can be beneficiant and a nurturer,” was how “Clyde’s” playwright Lynn Nottage characterised Jones within the New York Occasions’ profile piece. “The identical qualities that he brings to his appearing are the qualities that he embodies in actual life.”