Have you ever come across a Hollywood actor with an incredible resume but couldn’t recognize them? Well, you’re not alone. There is one such actor who has worked with renowned directors and celebrated stars like Angelina Jolie, Sarah Jessica Parker, George Clooney, and Meryl Streep. Yet, they go unnoticed because they dedicate hours in the make-up chair transforming themselves into strange-looking monsters on screen.
Meet Doug Jones, a 64-year-old contortionist and mime artist with over 150 credits to his name. Jones kickstarted his film career as the zombie, Billy Butcherson in Hocus Pocus. However, it was his collaboration with visionary director Guillermo del Toro that propelled him into the limelight. He portrayed memorable characters like Abe Sapien in Hellboy and the Faun and the Pale Man in Pan’s Labyrinth.
In addition to these roles, Jones has also appeared in a variety of films such as Tank Girl (1995), The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (2005), Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), Absentia (2011), Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016), The Bye Bye Man (2017), and The Shape of Water (2017). He even graced the small screen as Saru in the science fiction series Star Trek: Discovery from 2017 to 2024.
Jones’ transformative work and physical performances, notably in Pan’s Labyrinth, have made a lasting impact on the industry. In fact, the movie won three Oscars, including Best Makeup.
With his astounding resume, it’s no wonder that most film lovers fail to recognize him outside of his elaborate costumes. Jones acknowledges the anonymity his roles afford him and shared his perspective during an interview with BuzzFeed: “I’m hired because I’m a tall, skinny guy – with other talents, I hope.” He continued, “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.”
Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, who has worked closely with Jones, commended his exceptional skills, stating, “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.” He further 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.” Del Toro praised Jones as a proper actor.
Doug Jones may not be instantly recognizable, but his contributions to the film industry are undeniable. Next time you watch a monster movie, keep an eye out for this talented and versatile actor who lives behind the prosthetics and brings these awe-inspiring characters to life.
