Here’s a puzzle: which actor is the link between Batman Returns, Hocus Pocus, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Hellboy, and Pan’s Labyrinth?
The answer isn’t immediately clear because this actor’s face is seldom seen – he might not be a widely recognized name, but his impact in Hollywood is significant.
With more than 150 credits over thirty years, it’s improbable you haven’t seen him on your screen.
What makes him unique is not just his acting skill but his talent for blending into characters hidden by elaborate makeup, prosthetics, and costumes.
If someone asked you to guess the most prolific actor in the world, you might instinctively think of famous stars like Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, or Meryl Streep.
However, it’s quite surprising to find out that one of the hardest working actors globally isn’t as well-known.
Standing tall and slim, he is a favorite among creature effects teams who value his unique body shape as a canvas for their creative work.
The actor’s career began with roles as background characters, like the zombie Billy Butcherson in Hocus Pocus.
But it was his partnership with the visionary director Guillermo del Toro that took his career to new heights.
Del Toro noticed the actor’s talent and gave him key roles, like the amphibious Abe Sapien in Hellboy and both the Faun and the eerie Pale Man in Pan’s Labyrinth.
His physical performances were crucial to the success of these films, with Pan’s Labyrinth winning three Oscars, including Best Makeup, in part due to his transformative work.
The actor’s dedication to his craft goes beyond the screen – he thoroughly prepares for each role, studying movement and gestures to portray characters who often don’t speak. His skill in expressing emotions through layers of latex and prosthetics showcases his talent and commitment.
While many actors seek recognition and fame, Doug Jones flourishes in the anonymity his roles provide.
His face may not be familiar to most people, but his performances have made a lasting impact on the films he appears in.
In an interview with BuzzFeed, Jones humbly stated, “I’m hired because I’m a tall, skinny guy – with other talents, I hope.”
“But the creature effects guys love to start with a skinny, long palette because they can build on it and not make it too bulky.”
Del Toro has also praised Jones’ talents, saying, “A creature performer needs to be a very odd combination of [a] marathon runner and a mime, who can express himself through layers and layers of latex and acrylic and silicon.” The director added, “It’s a very, very rare discipline… [and] there are very, very few that are actual actors, in my opinion, that goes beyond being able to work in a suit or under makeup. Doug is a proper actor.”
Jones recognizes that working behind masks and prosthetics can lead to isolation, but his dedication has yielded results.
Most recently, he played Commander Saru in the TV show Star Trek: Discovery.
Moreover, Jones gave a remarkable performance as the Amphibian Man in del Toro’s celebrated movie The Shape of Water (2017), which received considerable praise and awards, including several Academy Awards.
Therefore, when you encounter a tall, otherworldly character in a film, take a look at the credits – it could very well be Doug Jones beneath all that makeup.
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