Actor Doug Jones returns to Judson to speak at spring commencement

Judson University has announced that Hollywood actor Doug Jones will give the keynote address during the spring commencement on Saturday, May 5, at Lindner Fitness Center, 1151 N. State St. in Elgin, at both the 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. ceremonies.

Jones, an award-winning actor known for such roles as Abe Sapien (in "Hellboy" and "Hellboy II"), the Silver Surfer (in "Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer") and as the leading Amphibian Man (in the Academy Award-winning 2017 movie, "The Shape of Water"), is also a devout Christian.

For more than 20 years, he has been an active member of Media Fellowship International, a Christian ministry that works with people in the media and arts community in a confidential, nonjudgmental manner. He also sits on the MFI board of directors. Yet, his longstanding faith likely stems from his parents. His dad started a church in the family's Indiana home when Jones was younger.

Jones is no stranger at Judson either. He has twice appeared as a guest speaker during the annual Imago Film Festival. And in 2015, he introduced evangelist Nick Vujicic as the guest speaker during Judson's first World Leaders Forum Inspirational Series event. Both Jones and Vujicic appeared in the 2009 award-winning short film, "The Butterfly Circus."

When he returns to campus in May to speak for commencement, Jones will receive an honorary doctorate.

Jones's career has been a storied path of successes on the big and small screen. He has spent much of the past 30 years masked in heavy makeup and outfitted in monster costumes, portraying such characters as the goofy zombie Billy Butcherson in "Hocus Pocus," the blue fish-man sidekick, Abe Sapien in "Hellboy," his dual roles as Pan and the Pale Man in the multi-Oscar winning "Pan's Labyrinth," as the Silver Surfer in "Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer," and as the romantic leading Amphibian Man in Guillermo del Toro's Academy Award 2017 Best Picture, "The Shape of Water."

Ever looking for new avenues, Jones has gained a sizable following among TV viewers, thanks to his presence on such shows as the CBS/All Access series, "Star Trek: Discovery," NBC's "Fear Itself," and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," the ABC's comedy, "The Neighbors," and in Steven Spielberg's TNT series, "Falling Skies," just to name a few.

And he has made his inimitable mark on the web, where he has enjoyed regular, recurring and guest roles on shows like "The Guild," "Dragon Age: Redemption," "Fallout: Nuka Break" and "Research," with Barry Bostwick.

Even with some darker titles in his filmography, Jones says he selects projects based on redemptive storylines even when it means playing the bad guy. He believes in being honest about who he is, faith and all.

In an interview with beliefnet.com, Jones spoke of being honest about his faith - even in Hollywood: "I think that if you're just honest - if the subject matter comes up, speak about it freely," he said. "But if it doesn't come up then maybe it's not that time yet. Just be honest with the situation day by day."

He and his wife, Laurie, live in Los Angeles, Calif., and are active in their home church.