CINEFILER

Jeffrey Jones

Born
September 28, 1946
Jeffrey Duncan Jones (born September 28, 1946, 6 feet 4 inches [1.94 m]) is an American character actor, best known for his roles as Emperor Joseph II in Amadeus (1984), Edward R. Rooney in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), Charles Deetz in Beetlejuice (1988), Dr. Skip Tyler in The Hunt for Red October (1990), Eddie Barzoon in The Devil's Advocate (1997), and A. W. Merrick in both Deadwood (2004–2006) and Deadwood: The Movie (2019). Jones was born in Buffalo, New York, and studied acting at the Putney School, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and Lawrence University. He began his acting career in small parts in film and television in the 1970s. In his best-known roles as Emperor Joseph II in Amadeus, Charles Deetz in Beetlejuice, and Edward R. Rooney in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, his dead-pan expression and distinctive face bring a comic flavor to his characters through their reactions to the situations in which they find themselves, more so than the wit in their scripted lines. Jones has also had a successful career on stage, appearing in productions of The Crucible, The Importance of Being Earnest, and The Glass Menagerie. He has been nominated for two Tony Awards, for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in The Crucible (1988) and Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in The Secret Garden (1991). In 2002, Jones was arrested on charges of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography and was sentenced to two years of probation. He has not appeared in any major film or television roles since his arrest. Despite his personal troubles, Jones is still considered to be one of the most talented character actors of his generation
Known For
Beetlejuice
(1988)
Charles Deetz
Sleepy Hollow
(1999)
Reverend Steenwyck
The Devil's Advocate
(1997)
Eddie Barzoon
Heartbreakers
(2001)
Mr. Appel
Dr. Dolittle 2
(2001)
Joe Potter
The Hunt for Red October
(1990)
Skip Tyler
Amadeus
(1984)
Emperor Joseph II
Ed Wood
(1994)
Criswell
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
(1986)
Ed Rooney
Stuart Little
(1999)
Uncle Crenshaw
How High
(2001)
Vice President
The Crucible
(1996)
Thomas Putnam
10.0 Earthquake
(2014)
Gladstone
Howard the Duck
(1986)
Dr. Walter Jenning
Ravenous
(1999)
Hart
Stay Tuned
(1992)
Spike
Full Filmography
Acting
The Revolutionary
(1970)
Red-Haired Radical Committee Member
Secret Service
(1977)
Sgt. Wilson
The Soldier
(1982)
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense
Easy Money
(1983)
Clive Barlow
Amadeus
(1984)
Emperor Joseph II
Atalanta Strategy
(1984)
Interviewer
Transylvania 6-5000
(1985)
Lepescu
Howard the Duck
(1986)
Dr. Walter Jenning
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
(1986)
Ed Rooney
George Washington II: The Forging of a Nation
(1986)
Thomas Jefferson
The Hanoi Hilton
(1987)
Fischer
The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues
(1987)
Buffalo Bill
DTV Monster Hits
(1987)
Man in the Magic Mirror
Beetlejuice
(1988)
Charles Deetz
Without a Clue
(1988)
Inspector Lestrade
Who's Harry Crumb?
(1989)
Eliot Draisen
Valmont
(1989)
Gercourt
The Hunt for Red October
(1990)
Skip Tyler
Enid Is Sleeping
(1990)
Floyd
Stay Tuned
(1992)
Spike
Mom and Dad Save the World
(1992)
Dick Nelson
Out on a Limb
(1992)
Matt Skearns / Peter Van Der Haven
Heaven & Earth
(1993)
Minister (uncredited)
Ed Wood
(1994)
Criswell
Houseguest
(1995)
Ron Timmerman
The Avenging Angel
(1995)
Brother Milton Long
The Crucible
(1996)
Thomas Putnam
The Devil's Advocate
(1997)
Eddie Barzoon
The Pest
(1997)
Gustav
Santa Fe
(1997)
Dr. Raskin (uncredited)
There's No Fish Food in Heaven
(1998)
Minister Pete
Flypaper
(1998)
Roger
Ravenous
(1999)
Hart
Sleepy Hollow
(1999)
Reverend Steenwyck
Stuart Little
(1999)
Uncle Crenshaw
Company Man
(2000)
Senator Biggs
Sleepy Hollow: Behind the Legend
(2000)
Self
Heartbreakers
(2001)
Mr. Appel
How High
(2001)
Vice President
Dr. Dolittle 2
(2001)
Joe Potter
Till Dad Do Us Part
(2001)
Brady
Par 6
(2002)
Lloyd Bator Jenkins
The Making of 'Amadeus'
(2002)
Self / Emperor Joseph II
Who Is Ferris Bueller?
(2006)
Self
Who's Your Caddy?
(2007)
Richard Cummings
Inside Story: Ferris Bueller's Day Off
(2011)
Self
10.0 Earthquake
(2014)
Gladstone
Deadwood: The Movie
(2019)
A. W. Merrick
Production
Crew
Data provided by TMDB