April Supa-Star Doug Jones is behind many of pop culture’s most beloved, out-of-this-world characters. A critically acclaimed actor, contortionist, and mime artist with an unearthly presence and an affinity for the macabre and strange.
Jones’ other-worldly talent brought legendary director Guillermo del Toro’s vision of frightening underworld creatures and amphibian men to life.
But did you know that he is the off-and-on-again boyfriend of Winifred Sanderson, the first officer on the USS Discovery and a Baron of… Vampires? To commemorate his hotly anticipated upcoming appearance at Supanova on the Gold Coast (12-13 April), let’s examine five of Jones’ most iconic roles.
WILLIAM “BILLY” BUTCHERSON
Hocus Pocus 1 & 2
Jones was a significant part of many of our childhoods, portraying William “Billy” Butcherson in the 1993 cult classic Disney film Hocus Pocus.
Caught in the spiderwebs of Salem’s most infamous witchy trio, The Sanderson Sisters, a kiss shared with Winifred “Winnie” Sanderson when they were young at the local cemetery would be Billy’s downfall years later. Years after he was poisoned and had his mouth sewed shut, he was resurrected by none other than Winifred (played by Bette Midler).
Jones gave a sympathetic and comedic performance as an amicable zombie you could actually cheer for. And you can’t keep a good zombie down, with Jones reprising his role in Hocus Pocus 2!
Let’s hope there isn’t another Black Flame Candle to summon the Sandersons again so he can finally rest in peace – Oh wait! With Hocus Pocus 3 in development, we may yet see Jones back as Billy (or at least we hope!). As the old superstition goes, good things come in threes! Or was it the other way around?
ABE SAPIEN
Hellboy Franchise
For many fans, 2004’s Hellboy and 2008’s Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, directed by Guillermo del Toro, cemented Doug Jones as a household name. Based on the best-selling Dark Horse Comics series, Jones portrayed Abe Sapien, an astute, bipedal amphibious humanoid (“Ichthyo Sapien“) with a fondness for books and classical music. He also happens to be Hellboy’s (played by Ron Perlman) work bestie at BPRD.
Though Abe was originally voiced by an uncredited David Hyde Pierce, Jones lent his vocal chops to Abe in the sequel. It is hard to imagine anyone else singing Barry Manilow’s Can’t Smile Without You with Perlman’s Hellboy – Jones nailed it with ease! Jones played such a believable amphibious man in love that serendipity would reward him later in his career…
Jones reprised Abe in the animated Hellboy films, Sword of Storms and Blood and Iron, as well as the Hellboy: The Science of Evil video game.
THE AMPHIBIAN MAN
The Shape Of Water
Guillermo del Toro’s lifelong adoration for Universal Studio’s Creature from the Black Lagoon was the inspiration behind 2017’s The Shape of Water. Del Toro felt that the ocean-crossed romance between the Amphibian Man and Elisa Esposito (played by Sally Hawkins) had to be believable.
When asked about the casting of Jones by Entertainment Tonight, del Toro stated, “He’s the only performer that can also be a deep actor.” After all, it does take an exceptional actor to convey that type of emotional intensity underneath layers of makeup, prosthetics and, of course, water.
Jones described his performance to Entertainment Tonight: “He had to be romantic and beautiful enough [that] you can buy and conceive a woman could actually fall in love with this fish man, and the audience had to fall in love with him, too, so they can root for her and the relationship on camera.”
Shape of Water was met with critical acclaim and accolades, including Best Picture at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018.
SARU
Star Trek: Discovery
Jones lived long and prospered as part of the main cast of Star Trek: Discovery, as Saru, the first Kelpien to join Star Fleet.
Saru is intelligent, kind and a capable leader. After five triumphant seasons, Discovery ended on one last hurrah last year, where Saru had a much-deserved happy ending.
In an interview with Screen Rant during the 2025 Saturn Awards, Jones had this to say about the ending of Discovery: “It’s very bittersweet. I didn’t want the show to end, but at the same time, Saru came to a good conclusion.” He added, “If there’s ever a Discovery movie, that would be fun too.”
BARON AFANAS
What We Do In The Shadows
Jones has been part of Fangtastic FX’s What We Do in the Shadows TV series since day one. He played the enigmatic and intimidating Baron Afanas in this undead mockumentary set in modern times.
The Baron starts the series off by commanding his fellow vampire cohorts to take over Staten Island. Shenanigans ensue as Nandor the Relentless, Laszlo, Nadja and Colin Robinson (played by Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou and Mark Proksch, respectively) attempt to fulfil this bloodsucking request.
The Baron’s appearance transformed each season, which gave Jones fresh material to deliver nonstop comedy and ludicrous fun till the very end. The series concluded in 2024.
Doug Jones is a real-life chameleon with an exceptional flair for the theatrical. Whether buried in his work or under layers of prosthetics and makeup, he always brings an irreplaceable ethereal touch to his performances!
Doug Jones will appear at Supanova on the Gold Coast (12-13 April).
