Doug Jones

Biography

Doug Jones, born on May 24, 1960, is a versatile American actor renowned for his unique talents as a contortionist and mime artist. He has gained widespread recognition for his ability to embody fantastical characters, often through intricate makeup and visual effects. A significant portion of his celebrated career involves collaborations with the renowned director Guillermo del Toro. Jones's notable appearances in del Toro's films include roles in *Mimic* (1997), *Hellboy* (2004), *Pan's Labyrinth* (2006), *Hellboy II: The Golden Army* (2008), *Crimson Peak* (2015), and the Academy Award-winning *The Shape of Water* (2017).

Beyond his work with del Toro, Jones has showcased his talents in various other films, such as *Hocus Pocus* (1993) and its sequel (2022), *Tank Girl* (1995), *The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari* (2005), *Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer* (2007), *Absentia* (2011), *Ouija: Origin of Evil* (2016), and *The Bye Bye Man* (2017). His television credits include the sci-fi series *Falling Skies* (2013-15) and del Toro's horror series *The Strain* (2014-16). From 2017 to 2024, Jones portrayed Saru in *Star Trek: Discovery*, and from 2019 to 2023, he played Baron Afanas in the comedic vampire series *What We Do in the Shadows*, showcasing his range both with and without creature makeup.