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Jeffrey Jones

ACTOR · BORN 1946

Jeffrey Jones

Born
28 September 1946, Buffalo, New York, USA
Known for
Amadeus (1984), Howard the Duck (1986), Ravenous (1999), Stay Tuned (1992)

57 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026

Jeffrey Jones (born 28 September 1946) is an actor best known for Amadeus, Howard the Duck and Ravenous.

57 Interesting Facts About Jeffrey Jones

Interesting Facts (7)

  1. #001

    He was photographed with Justin Bieber on July 23, 2016, in an image Bieber posted to Instagram in which the two seemed to be spoofing Jones's role in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986); it drew over 1.5 million likes in a few days but was eventually taken down after a backlash over Jones's criminal record.

    INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

  2. #002

    On July 23, 2016, Jeffrey Jones was photographed with Justin Bieber in an image Bieber posted on Instagram, the pair apparently spoofing Jones's role in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986); the post got more than 1.5 million likes within days but was removed after a backlash over Jones's criminal record.

    Jeffrey Jones — portrait
    Jeffrey Jones: portraitImage: Wikimedia Commons · Greg Gorman, CC BY-SA 4.0

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  3. #003

    Jeffrey Jones shot a role in Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) that was cut from the final film.

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  4. #004

    In the Tales from the Crypt (1989) episode 'Creep Course' (1993), Jeffrey Jones used the same chilling voice he had used as the possessed 'Dr. Walter Jenning' in Howard the Duck (1986).

    Jeffrey Jones — death scene
    Jeffrey Jones: death sceneImage: Wikimedia Commons · Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Public domain

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  5. #005

    Jeffrey Jones often appeared in Tim Burton films, including Beetlejuice (1988), Ed Wood (1994) and Sleepy Hollow (1999), fitting right into the director's gothic, darkly funny world.

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  6. #006

    In 1974, Jeffrey Jones joined the renowned Actors Theatre of Louisville, one of the key centers of American theater, playing everything from Shakespeare to 'Frankenstein.'

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  7. #007

    Jeffrey Jones attended and graduated from high school in Putney, Vermont. The small town is where his youth was spent and his education took shape. His schooling there nourished his interest in art and steered his later career.

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Production Story (1)

  1. #008

    He shot a role in Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) that ended up being cut.

    PRODUCTION STORY · SOURCED

Characters & Cast (20)

  1. #009

    In the Tales from the Crypt (1989) episode Creep Course (1993) (10 November 1993), he used the same chilling voice as he had for the possessed "Dr. Walter Jenning" in Howard the Duck (1986).

    CHARACTERS & CAST · SOURCED

  2. #010

    In November 2002, he was arrested for violating California Penal Code section 311.4(c), which makes it a crime to cause a minor to engage in prohibited acts. Jones pleaded no contest to the charge of inducing a 14-year-old boy to pose for sexually explicit photographs, was sentenced to five years of probation, and was ordered to register as a sex offender and undergo counseling. A charge of possessing child pornography was dropped as part of the plea agreement. In 2009, he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of failing to update his registration.

    CHARACTERS & CAST · SOURCED

  3. #011

    On July 23, 2016, he was photographed with Justin Bieber. The image, shared on Bieber's Instagram account, made the pair appear to be mocking Jones's role in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986). The post received more than 1.5 million likes within a few days, but was eventually removed following backlash over Jones's criminal record.

    CHARACTERS & CAST · SOURCED

  4. #012

    He appeared in two films selected by the Library of Congress for the National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically" significant: Amadeus (1984) and Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986).

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  5. #013

    He shot a role in Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987), but the part was cut from the film's final edit.

    CHARACTERS & CAST · SOURCED

  6. #014

    His journey on Deadwood (2004) began with a guest appearance in the second season and continued when he was promoted to the regular cast. The promotion shows that his character's importance to the series grew and that the producers were pleased with his performance. The series is regarded as a striking example of the Western genre, and Jones's presence in it displays his versatile acting ability.

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  7. #015

    In the "Creep Course" (1993) episode of Tales from the Crypt (1989), he used the same eerie voice he had employed for the possessed "Dr. Walter Jenning" in Howard the Duck (1986). His use of the same voice in two different productions reveals the range in his acting repertoire and his mastery of such roles.

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  8. #016

    He frequently appeared in Tim Burton's films, including Beetlejuice (1988), Ed Wood (1994) and Sleepy Hollow (1999). These collaborations show Jones's ability to fit into Burton's distinctive gothic and eccentric cinematic world. Burton's films are known for their visual style and dark humor; Jones's performances in them prove that he contributed to this aesthetic and was one of the director's favorite actors.

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  9. #017

    In 1967, his performance in the play "Hobson's Choice," staged at Lawrence University, caught the attention of the famous theater director Sir Tyrone Guthrie. Guthrie invited him to join the prestigious Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This invitation was a major turning point in Jones's career and enabled him to step into the professional theater world.

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  10. #018

    He is the father of actor and producer Julian Coutts. Julian Coutts has produced successful work in his own career and carries on his father's legacy.

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  11. #019

    He initially planned to pursue a career in medicine, but later turned to acting. Jones's choice allowed him to discover his talent and leave his mark on the worlds of film and theater.

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  12. #020

    In 1969 he went to London, where he trained for four years at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. During this period he built a solid foundation in theater and acting. He then moved to Canada and performed for three years at the Stratford Theatre in Ontario; this experience developed his proficiency in the classical theater repertoire and gave him an international perspective.

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  13. #021

    In 1974, he joined the renowned Actors Theatre of Louisville to take on roles ranging from the works of William Shakespeare to "Frankenstein." This theater is regarded as one of the important centers of American theater, and Jones's work there proves that he is a versatile actor. These roles, spanning from Shakespeare to the horror genre, allowed him to push the limits of his dramatic abilities.

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  14. #022

    He is the son of an art historian. This family background may have been influential in shaping Jones's interest in art at an early age. His knowledge of art history helped him better grasp different periods and aesthetic sensibilities in his acting career and added depth to his performances.

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  15. #023

    He played "Hamlet" while in the second grade. Portraying this Shakespearean tragedy at such a young age reveals that Jones's acting talent was recognized early and laid the foundations for his future career.

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  16. #024

    He attended Lawrence University. Jones's education there gave him a solid start to his career in the performing arts and laid the foundation for his later successes.

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  17. #025

    He is a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. This fraternity is one of the oldest and most prestigious student organizations in America. Jones's membership shows that he expanded his social and academic circle during his university years and developed his leadership skills.

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  18. #026

    He went to high school in Putney, Vermont, and graduated from there. This small town is where his youth was spent and his education took shape. Jones's education there nourished his interest in art and steered his future career.

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  19. #027

    He is Corey Frakes's godfather. His role as godfather suggests that he has a responsible and caring personality.

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  20. #028

    He has English and German ancestry, partly through Canada. This ancestry shows the diversity of his cultural origins and may have brought a different perspective to his acting. His English and German heritage was influential in his work in the worlds of theater and cinema and gave depth to his characters.

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Career & Awards (13)

  1. #029

    He originally planned to become a doctor.

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  2. #030

    Two of his films have been chosen for the Library of Congress's National Film Registry as "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Amadeus (1984) and Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986).

    CAREER & AWARDS · SOURCED

  3. #031

    He often appeared in Tim Burton films such as Beetlejuice (1988), Ed Wood (1994) and Sleepy Hollow (1999).

    CAREER & AWARDS · SOURCED

  4. #032

    He went from guest performer to series regular in the second season of Deadwood (2004).

    CAREER & AWARDS · SOURCED

  5. #033

    He played "Hamlet" in second grade.

    CAREER & AWARDS · SOURCED

  6. #034

    In 1967, his performance in a Lawrence University production of "Hobson's Choice" caught the eye of Sir Tyrone Guthrie, who invited him to join the prestigious Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

    CAREER & AWARDS · SOURCED

  7. #035

    In 1969 he went to London to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art for four years, then performed with the Stratford Theater in Ontario, Canada, for three years.

    CAREER & AWARDS · SOURCED

  8. #036

    In 1974, he joined the famed Actors Theater of Louisville, playing roles from William Shakespeare to "Frankenstein."

    CAREER & AWARDS · SOURCED

  9. #037

    Two of Jeffrey Jones's films have been chosen for the Library of Congress's National Film Registry as 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically' significant: Amadeus (1984) and Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986).

    CAREER & AWARDS · SOURCED

  10. #038

    In 1967, Jeffrey Jones's performance in a Lawrence University production of 'Hobson's Choice' caught the eye of famed theater director Sir Tyrone Guthrie, who invited him to join the prestigious Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota, his entry into professional theater.

    CAREER & AWARDS · SOURCED

  11. #039

    Jeffrey Jones is the son of an art historian, a background that may have sparked his early interest in the arts.

    CAREER & AWARDS · SOURCED

  12. #040

    Jeffrey Jones played 'Hamlet' in second grade, an early start for his love of the stage.

    CAREER & AWARDS · SOURCED

  13. #041

    Jeffrey Jones went to Lawrence University, where he trained in theater and his talent was discovered.

    CAREER & AWARDS · SOURCED

Life & Family (16)

  1. #042

    He's the father of actor and producer Julian Coutts.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

  2. #043

    In November 2002 he was arrested and charged under California Penal Code Section 311.4 (c), Use of a Minor to Perform Prohibited Acts. He pleaded no contest to inducing a 14-year-old boy to pose for sexually explicit photos and was sentenced to five years' probation and ordered to register as a sex offender and undergo counseling; a misdemeanor charge of possessing child pornography was dropped as part of the deal. In 2009 he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of failing to update his sex offender registration and was sentenced to 3 years' probation and 250 hours of community service.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

  3. #044

    He went to Lawrence University.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

  4. #045

    He's a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

  5. #046

    He's Corey Frakes's godfather.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

  6. #047

    His father was an art historian.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

  7. #048

    He's of English and German descent, partly by way of Canada.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

  8. #049

    Attended and graduated from high school in Putney, Vermont.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

  9. #050

    In November 2002, Jeffrey Jones was arrested for violating California Penal Code section 311.4(c), which makes it a crime to use a minor to perform prohibited acts; he pleaded no contest to soliciting a 14-year-old boy to pose for sexually explicit photographs and was sentenced to five years' probation and ordered to register as a sex offender and undergo counseling, while a charge of possessing child pornography was dropped under the plea deal. In 2009, he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of failing to update his registration.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

  10. #051

    Jeffrey Jones joined the second season of the acclaimed western Deadwood (2004) as a guest actor and was promoted to the regular cast.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

  11. #052

    Jeffrey Jones is the father of actor and producer Julian Coutts.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

  12. #053

    Jeffrey Jones originally planned a career in medicine before turning to acting.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

  13. #054

    In 1969, Jeffrey Jones went to London to train for four years at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, then spent three years performing at the Stratford Theatre in Ontario, Canada, honing his command of the classical repertoire.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

  14. #055

    Jeffrey Jones is a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, one of America's oldest student organizations.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

  15. #056

    Jeffrey Jones is the godfather of Corey Frakes.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

  16. #057

    Jeffrey Jones is of English and German descent, partly by way of Canada.

    LIFE & FAMILY · SOURCED

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Sources & editorial notes

Reference databases

  • Wikipedia English Wikipedia article
  • IMDb IMDb name page (biography and trivia)

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