Doug Jones is an American actor, contortionist, and mime artist, best known for portraying non-human creatures through heavy makeup and visual effects. Born on May 24, 1960, in Indianapolis, Indiana, he grew up as the youngest of four brothers and attended Bishop Chatard High School before graduating from Ball State University with a degree in telecommunications and a minor in theater.

     Jones began his career in the entertainment industry as a commercial actor and contortionist, notably playing the advertising character "Mac Tonight" in the 1980s. His ability to move fluidly and work under prosthetics made him a sought-after performer for creature roles in Hollywood. Over the years, he has collaborated extensively with Guillermo del Toro, appearing in films such as Mimic (1997), Hellboy (2004), Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008), Crimson Peak (2015), and The Shape of Water (2017), where he played the iconic Amphibian Man.

     Beyond del Toro’s films, Jones has starred in numerous other projects, including Hocus Pocus (1993) and its sequel (2022), Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), The Bye Bye Man (2017), and Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016). His television work includes roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Falling Skies, The Strain, and Star Trek: Discovery, where he portrayed Captain Saru from 2017 to 2024.

     Jones has received critical acclaim for his performances, earning a Saturn Award for his role in Star Trek: Discovery and being inducted into the Fangoria Horror Hall of Fame in 2009. He and his wife, Laurie Jones, whom he married in 1984, contribute to the Doug Jones Scholarship Fund, supporting talented theater students in financial need.