Interview with Doug Jones Hell Boy Silver Surfer by Eric Zuley aka EZ

Doug Jones Hell Boy Silver Surfer interviewed by Eric Zuley aka EZ

The youngest of four brothers, Doug Jones was born on the 24th May, 1960, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and grew up in the city’s Northeastside. After attending Bishop Chatard High School, he headed off to Ball State University, where he graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications, with a minor in Theatre.

He learned mime at school, joining a troupe and doing the whole white-face thing, and has also worked as a contortionist.

After a hitch in theater in Indiana, he moved to Los Angeles in 1985, and has not been out of work since – he’s acted in over 25 films, many television series (Including the award-winning “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997), his episode ‘Hush’ garnered two Emmy nominations) and over 90 commercials and music videos with the likes of Madonna and Marilyn Manson.

Although known mostly for his work under prosthetics, he has also performed as ‘himself’ in such highly-rated films as Adaptation. (2002) with Nicolas Cage and indie projects such as Phil Donlon’s A Series of Small Things (2005).

But it is his sensitive and elegant performance as ‘Abe Sapien’ in Hellboy (2004), which stormed to the top of the U.S. box office in the spring of 2004, that has brought him an even higher profile and much praise from audiences and critics alike.

Doug is married and lives in California.
IMDb Mini Biography By: Helen R. Chavez, Webmaster, The Doug Jones Experience

Trivia

Although his voice as ‘Abe Sapien’ in Hellboy (2004) was dubbed by David Hyde Pierce, David refused a credit because he felt that Abe was entirely Doug’s creation and did not wish to detract from his performance.

His performance as ‘Billy Butcherson’ in Hocus Pocus (1993) earned him a pre-nomination for a comedy award.

His makeup in Hellboy (2004) usually took six hours.

Has double-jointed legs.

Learned mime at his University.

Was inspired to create Abe Sapien’s graceful and liquid movements in Hellboy (2004) after watching the pet fish in his office.

The choker he often wears for promo appearances is one of Abe Sapien’s eyes from Hellboy (2004).

Frequently has a role in the films of Guillermo del Toro.

Not only did Doug portray all four Imps in the film Doom (2005), but he was also asked by director Andrzej Bartkowiak during filming to choreograph the movements of the Czech dancers who were hired to play Zombies.

Doug’s role in Guillermo del Toro’s El laberinto del fauno (2006) required him to learn huge amounts of dialog in archaic Spanish, which he did perfectly.

He was the mascot for his college alma mater – Ball State University, where he performed as “Charlie the Cardinal” at many of the sporting and public events.

Was the original actor to play the nefarious Tooth Fairy in Darkness Falls (2003) before Stan Winston came in and retooled the whole design.

Personal Quotes

Do not be afraid, ever, of approaching the talent you want in your film. Because actors at any level want to be in front of the camera, that’s what we’re built to do. Actors want to act. So, if we’re free, we have the time, and you have a project that is a role that we haven’t played before, or it’s written in a witty way, or tells a story that we want to be a part of, we’ll do it! And the best thing is to have your pitch. If you have no money but you’ve got a lot of heart, pitch the hell out of it! And, if you have a good story in your head, don’t let it get over-processed by too many decision makers. Now, of course, that’s what the studio system is all about [laughs], but do your darndest to stay true to your vision. (Advice for budding Indie film makers)

“For the last 20 years of my life, I’ve been wearing something unrecognizable. I’ve been acting for 20 years now and I’ve been under the radar. I was completely under the radar until Hellboy came along. And I did notable roles before, Billy Butcherson in Hocus Pocus which became like a Halloween classic over here on the Disney Channel, and I had smaller parts in lots of films like Batman Returns, Mystery Men, Adaptation, Three Kings, and they were even things with my own face in them. But I was basically actor of the day and I didn’t get much recognition, and guest-starring on TV shows that come and go and commercials that come and go. But Hellboy was the one that had real staying power, in terms of its notoriety and the size of the role I had. I guess I became a speck on the radar then, but now it’s Pan’s Labyrinth and Silver Surfer. Finishing Fantastic Four and Pan’s Labyrinth coming out with these Golden Globes and Oscar nominations has been a press frenzy for me. I’ve never been thrust in the public eye this much with me, Doug Jones, as name recognition which is happening now, which is new for me. It’s very exciting but still it’s nice to go to 7-11 and still be me. Nobody has to know, right?”