He's perhaps best known for playing Dean of Students Ed Rooney in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Charles Deetz in Beetlejuice, and other comedic roles. He also had a prominent role as Emperor Joseph II in Miloš Forman's film adaptation of Amadeus and was part of Disney's Magic Kingdom's ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter. (He also played Snow White's Magic Mirror in a Disney Halloween music video special in 1987, and has done a number of other voice roles on various animated series.)
Jones's career ground to a halt in 2002, when he was arrested for possession of child pornography and soliciting a 14-year-old boy. Since this incident his most high-profile role has probably been as A.W. Merrick on the critically acclaimed Deadwood.
Filmography on TV Tropes:
- Easy Money (1983) as Clive Barlow
- Amadeus (1984) as Emperor Joseph II
- Transylvania 6-5000 (1985) as Mayor Lepescu
- Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1985) as Dean of Students Edward R. Rooney
- Howard the Duck (1986) as Dr. Walter Jenning / The Dark Overlord of the Universe
- Beetlejuice (1988) as Charles Deetz
- Without a Clue (1988) as Inspector George Lestrade
- Who's Harry Crumb? (1989) as Elliot Draison
- Valmont (1989) as Gercourt
- The Hunt for Red October (1990) as Dr. Skip Tyler
- Out On A Limb (1992) as Matt Skearns/Peter Van Der Haven
- Mom and Dad Save the World (1992) as Dick Nelson
- Stay Tuned (1992) as Spike
- Ed Wood (1994) as The Amazing Criswell
- The Crucible (1996) as Thomas Putnam
- The Devil's Advocate (1997) as Eddie Barzoon
- The Pest (1997) as Gustav Shank
- Stuart Little (1999) as Uncle Crenshaw Little
- Ravenous (1999) as Colonel Hart
- Sleepy Hollow (1999) as Reverend Steenwyck
- Heartbreakers (2001) as Mr. Appel
- Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001) as Joe Potter
- How High (2001) as Vice President
- Hemingway & Gellhorn (2012) as Charles Colebaugh (uncredited)
- Kojak (1977) as Attendant (1 episode)
- Remington Steele (1983) as Clifford Conant (1 episode)
- The Twilight Zone (1985) as Carl Wilkerson (1 episode)
- Fresno (1986) as Mr. Acme (2 episodes)
- Amazing Stories (1986) as John Baldwin (1 episode)
- Tales from the Crypt (1993) as Professor Finley (1 episode)
- Duckman (1994) as Warden (voice, 1 episode)
- Eek! The Cat (1994) as Sloth (voice, 1 episode)
- Batman: The Animated Series (1995) as Nivens / Vinnie (voice, 1 episode)
- Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (1995) as Nurse / Man in White (voice, 1 episode)
- The Outer Limits (1998) as Dr. Scott Perkins (1 episode)
- Invader Zim (2001–06) as various (voice, 4 episodes)
- The Zeta Project (2002) as Detective Marcus (voice, 1 episode)
- Justice League (2002) as Sir Swami (voice, 2 episodes)
- Deadwood (2004–06) as A. W. Merrick (33 episodes)
- Fallout 2 (1998) as Dick Richardson (voice)