'We celebrate and champion him': 'Brother' star Aaron Pierre remembers his late co-star Ron Cephas Jones

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Aaron Pierre learned a lot while working with Ron Cephas Jones on the ‘This is Us’ series.

Remembering his late co-star, the emotional actor said, “He engaged with me like a father or an uncle, a teacher.”

Ron Cephas Jones played Elijah Muhammad's role  

Jones passed away on August 19 while battling a long-standing pulmonary disease. The 66-year-old featured on ‘Malcolm X’ in National Geographic’s ‘Genius: MLK/X’ as Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad on the anthology series.

The episode airs on Thursday, February 22, during Black History Month. “He really took his time with me,” Pierre said of Jones.

“Any question I might have had, he took the time to answer and engage with me in any conversation,” he added.

Praising Jones for his acting skills, Pierre told People, “It's an outstanding performance.”

“I felt incredibly safe working with him, I felt protected working with him, I felt supported working with him. And his impact on my life is something I'll never forget and something I'll always treasure. I'm deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to witness his greatness,” he added.

Aaron Pierre and Jayme Lawson praise Ron Cephas Jones

The 29-year-old further said, “We celebrate and champion him,” referring to other cast members, including Harrison, Weruche Opia, Jayme Lawson, Gary Carr, and Hubert Point-Du Jour.

Lawson, who plays Malcolm X’s wife, Betty Shabazz, told the UK’s PA news agency, “He still had joy and he was still in a place to receive something from us and to teach us.”

Jones’ 'This Is Us' co-stars pay tribute to him

Jones' ‘This Is Us’ co-star Sterling K Brown wrote on Instagram, “The world is a little less bright. Brother, you are loved. And you will be missed.”

“Getting to know and work with Ron on the wild ride of ‘This Is Us’ was the greatest gift,” Mandy Moore wrote in her tribute.

“He was pure magic as a human and an artist…I will treasure all of the moments forever,” she added.

In August, Jones’ representative confirmed his death saying, “Beloved and award-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones has passed away at the age of 66 due to a long-standing pulmonary issue.”

“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,” it added.