Skip to content
MovieCove
Jeffrey Jones

Jeffrey Jones

Actor · Born September 28, 1946 (80) · Buffalo, New York, USA

Jeffrey Duncan Jones (born September 28, 1946) 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.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 28, 1946 (80)
From
Buffalo, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
50 on MovieCove · 64 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 20% in 30 days

What are Jeffrey Jones' films like?

Across their 31 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy16 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 31st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 74th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 50th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 8th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 98th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
28%
Morality
22%
Self
21%
Survival
11%
Power
8%
Society
7%
Ideas
2%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 31 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 21 · Serious 5 · Dark 5

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 10 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 14

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 12 · Charged 11 · Intense 8

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 13 · Shifting 17 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 17

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 23 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 21 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 26 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

15 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 6 of 15 analyzed roles.

Shadow
6 of 15
Threshold guardian
3 of 15
Herald
2 of 15
Ally
1 of 15
Hero
1 of 15
Shapeshifter
1 of 15
Mentor
1 of 15
Show the 15 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
18
Tense
14
Joyful
12
Dread
5
Warm
5
Other
29

How their films linger

Fun20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good19 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy17
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Jeffrey Jones' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 36 of their 50 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Jeffrey Jones' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

64 credits, 50 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Deadwood: The Movie(2019)

    as A. W. Merrick

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Big City Greens(2018)

    Show 1 episode · Story

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • 10.0 Earthquake(2014)

    as Gladstone

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Hemingway & Gellhorn(2012)

    as Charles Colebaugh (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Who's Your Caddy?(2007)

    as Richard Cummings

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Night of Henna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Producer

  • Deadwood(2004)

    Show 11 episodes · as A. W. Merrick · as A.W. Merrick

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Stuart Little(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Uncle Crenshaw Little (voice)

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all shows

  • Par 6 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Lloyd Bator Jenkins

  • How High(2001)

    as Vice President

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Justice League(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sir Swami (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Dr. Dolittle 2(2001)

    as Joe Potter

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Till Dad Do Us Part(2001)

    as Brady

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Trailer Park Boys(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Jason Maloney

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Invader ZIM(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Presidentman / Crowd Man / Guy in Crowd #2 (voice)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Heartbreakers(2001)

    as Mr. Appel

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Zeta Project(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Company Man(2000)

    as Senator Biggs

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Stuart Little(1999)

    as Uncle Crenshaw

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Sleepy Hollow(1999)

    as Reverend Steenwyck

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Flypaper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Roger

  • Ravenous(1999)

    as Hart

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Life in the Fast Lane(1998)

    as Minister Pete

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • The Devil's Advocate(1997)

    as Eddie Barzoon

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Santa Fe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Dr. Raskin (uncredited)

  • The Pest(1997)

    as Gustav

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Crucible(1996)

    as Thomas Putnam

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Outer Limits(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Scott Perkins

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Avenging Angel(1995)

    as Brother Milton Long

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Houseguest(1995)

    as Ron Timmerman

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Ed Wood(1994)

    as Criswell

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Heaven & Earth(1993)

    as Minister (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Batman: The Animated Series(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Nivens (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Out on a Limb(1992)

    as Matt Skearns / Peter Van Der Haven

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Stay Tuned(1992)

    as Spike

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Mom and Dad Save the World(1992)

    as Dick Nelson

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Enid Is Sleeping(1990)

    as Floyd

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Hunt for Red October(1990)

    as Skip Tyler

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Valmont(1989)

    as Gercourt

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The People Next Door (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 5 episodes · as Walter Kellogg

  • Tales from the Crypt(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Professor Finley

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Who's Harry Crumb?(1989)

    as Eliot Draisen

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Without a Clue(1988)

    as Inspector Lestrade

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Beetlejuice(1988)

    as Charles

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues(1987)

    as Buffalo Bill

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • DTV: Monster Hits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Man in the Magic Mirror

  • The Hanoi Hilton(1987)

    as Fischer

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Fresno (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 5 episodes · as Mr. Acme

  • George Washington II: The Forging of a Nation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Thomas Jefferson

  • George Washington II: The Forging of a Nation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as Thomas Jefferson

  • Howard the Duck(1986)

    as Dr. Walter Jenning

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Ferris Bueller's Day Off(1986)

    as Ed Rooney

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • If Tomorrow Comes(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Budge Hollander

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Transylvania 6-5000(1985)

    as Lepescu

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Amazing Stories(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as John Baldwin

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • The Twilight Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Carl Wilkerson (segment "Opening Day")

  • Amadeus(1984)

    as Emperor Joseph II

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Atalanta Strategy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Interviewer

  • Easy Money(1983)

    as Clive Barlow

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Soldier(1982)

    as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Secret Service (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Sgt. Wilson

  • Kojak(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Attendant

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Great Performances (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Sgt. Wilson

  • The Revolutionary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Red-Haired Radical Committee Member

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 64 titles from 1970 to 2019; peak year 2000.

Biggest box office

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

$206M worldwide

Highest rated

Amadeus (1984)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Film career

19702019

Peak 2000 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 9 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting62 of 64: 62 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score52ndWriting1 of 64: 1 only writing, 0 with another roleProducing1 of 64: 1 only producing, 0 with another role

By decade

1970s4 · acting1980s22 · acting1990s20 · acting2000s14 · 13 acting · 1 crew2010s4 · 3 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 0% of 30 roles
83889398

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Jeffrey Jones' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 43rd percentile, the median of all 37; across their 31 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 41st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Approval · how many liked their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Reach · how many have seen their films

84thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Midcredits score across 50 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up19
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 50 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser18
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed14

Most divisive · actor

Who's Your Caddy? (2007)

92nd percentile spread · 77% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Amadeus (1984)

Midcredits 99th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 30 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 41. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Jeffrey Jones' work okay for kids?

Across up to 19 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore13 titles23–87 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity19 titles25–59 · median 44 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity14 titles18–79 · median 49 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs13 titles27–65 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense14 titles15–74 · median 47 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Jeffrey Jones work with?

People who share at least 2 of Jeffrey Jones' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Tim Burton shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles