Hollywood Obsessed

In PART TWO of my fascinating conversation with the extraordinary DOUG JONES, we dive deeper into his remarkable collaborations with visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and the unforgettable characters they’ve brought to life together! Doug reveals how a chance encounter on the set of “Mimic” led to their longtime creative partnership and how del Toro specifically chose him to play Abe Sapien in “Hellboy.” He takes us behind the scenes of “Pan’s Labyrinth,” sharing the incredible challenges of portraying both the Fawn and the terrifying Pale Man, including five-hour makeup applications, towering stilts, and a mechanically operated head. Doug also reflects on the magic of “The Shape of Water,” predicting its Oscar success two years before filming began and describing the unforgettable, emotional moment he stood onstage as the film won Best Picture!

Next, we journey into the final frontier as Doug discusses his beloved role as Saru in “Star Trek: Discovery.” From inventing Saru’s distinctive walk in hoof-like boots to enduring hours in heavy silicone makeup, Doug explains the physical and emotional demands of bringing the compassionate Kelpien officer to life. He also shares the extraordinary bond he developed with his castmates, especially Sonequa Martin-Green, and the heartwarming moment Star Trek fans welcomed him into their legendary family. Plus, Doug reveals how playing Saru’s journey through fear and anxiety became a deeply personal and rewarding experience.

Things get deliciously dark and delightfully funny when we discuss Doug’s role as the Baron in “What We Do in the Shadows,” a performance that allowed him to embrace outrageous comedy and poke fun at vampire mythology. We also explore his very different vampire roles in “The Strain” and “Nosferatu,” his enduring friendship with del Toro, and the dream role that almost brought him into the director’s long-awaited “Frankenstein.” Doug opens up about his evolving relationship with fame, the career milestones that made him a recognizable face, and why he jokingly dreams of playing a dad in a Hallmark Christmas move!

Finally, Doug offers invaluable advice to aspiring creature performers, emphasizing that strong acting skills must come before the makeup and prosthetics.
 
DOUG JONES – BIO
 
Doug Jones is one of Hollywood’s most accomplished and recognizable character actors and creature performers. His career spans more than three decades across film and television.

His unforgettable film roles include the Silver Surfer in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” Abe Sapien in “Hellboy” and “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” and the dual roles of Pan & the Pale Man in Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning “Pan’s Labyrinth.” A longtime collaborator of del Toro, he also portrayed the Amphibian Man in “The Shape of Water,” which won the Oscar for Best Picture. Other fan favorites include Billy Butcherson in “Hocus Pocus” & “Hocus Pocus 2,” a circus clown in “Batman Returns,” and Count Orlok in the 2024 film “Nosferatu.”

On television, Doug earned a devoted following as Captain Saru in “Star Trek: Discovery,” appearing throughout its five-season run. His other credits include “What We Do in the Shadows,” “Falling Skies,” and  as the chilling lead Gentleman in the Emmy-nominated “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” episode “Hush,” a role that showcased his extraordinary ability to convey emotion and menace without dialogue.

His unique talent has made him one of the most beloved performers in science fiction, fantasy, and horror.

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In PART ONE of my conversation with the extraordinary DOUG JONES — the acclaimed actor, contortionist, and mime artist behind some of Hollywood’s most unforgettable characters — we go behind the makeup for a fascinating look at his remarkable career, from the Oscar-winning “The Shape of Water“ and “Star Trek: Discovery” to the beloved Halloween classic “Hocus Pocus!” Doug reveals why he’s flattered by comparisons to legendary horror icon Lon Chaney, and how childhood idols Don Knotts, Bob Denver, and Dick Van Dyke inspired his dreams. He even shares the magical story of finally meeting Dick Van Dyke and telling him he wouldn’t have a career without him!

Before becoming one of Hollywood’s most celebrated creature performers, Doug was Charlie Cardinal, Ball State University’s beloved mascot, and a mime discovering the power of physical comedy. Then came Mac Tonight, the unforgettable moon-faced character from McDonald’s commercials that became a sensation! Doug shares how his contortionist abilities led to unexpected comedy roles, and how he landed one of his most iconic parts: the hilariously decomposing Billy Butcherson in “Hocus Pocus!”

Speaking of “Hocus Pocus,” we dive into the film’s audition process, its transformation into a beloved Halloween phenomenon, and its multigenerational fanbase. Doug discusses returning for “Hocus Pocus 2,” whether he’d consider a third installment, and how Bette Midler personally recruited him for the star-studded virtual “Hulaween” reunion during the pandemic. He also reveals the physical challenges of playing elaborate creatures, including enduring hours in heavy prosthetics and spending an astonishing SEVEN HOURS transforming into Abe Sapien for “Hellboy!”

DOUG JONES – BIO
 
Doug Jones is one of Hollywood’s most accomplished and recognizable character actors and creature performers. His career spans more than three decades across film and television. He began his entertainment career in the 1980s, gaining widespread recognition as the memorable Mac Tonight in a series of popular McDonald’s commercials.

His unforgettable film roles include the Silver Surfer in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” Abe Sapien in “Hellboy” and “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” and the dual roles of Pan & the Pale Man in Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning “Pan’s Labyrinth.” A longtime collaborator of del Toro, he also portrayed the Amphibian Man in “The Shape of Water,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Other fan favorites include Billy Butcherson in “Hocus Pocus” and “Hocus Pocus 2,” a circus clown in “Batman Returns,” and Count Orlok in the 2024 film “Nosferatu.”

On television, Doug earned a devoted following as Captain Saru, the compassionate Kelpien officer in “Star Trek: Discovery,” appearing throughout its five-season run. His other credits include “What We Do in the Shadows,” “Falling Skies,” “Teen Wolf,” and “The Neighbours.” One of his most memorable performances was as the chilling lead Gentleman in the Emmy-nominated “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” episode “Hush,” a role that showcased his extraordinary ability to convey emotion and menace without dialogue.

Throughout his career, Doug Jones has redefined the art of character acting, bringing humanity, humor, and vulnerability to some of entertainment’s most unusual and unforgettable creations. His unique talent has made him one of the most beloved performers in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. A feature-length documentary about his life and career, “Get Me Doug Jones,” is in development.
 
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The conversation with Marc Singer continues on Hollywood Obsessed! In Part 2, Tony Miros goes deeper behind the scenes of the films and television shows that made Singer a beloved action, fantasy, and sci-fi star. And if you thought making “The Beastmaster” was an adventure, wait until you hear what happened when Marc had to share the screen with a very unpredictable—and very large—co-star!

Marc takes us back to the making of “The Beastmaster,” revealing what it was really like working with the film's animals, including the magnificent tiger who became one of his most memorable scene partners. He also reflects on the extreme conditions of filming, his friendships with Tanya Roberts, Rip Torn, John Amos, and stunt legend Chuck Bail, and why he believes the movie connected so strongly with audiences and has remained a cult favorite decades later.

Then it's on to “V” and the iconic role of Mike Donovan. Marc explains how his experience on “The Beastmaster” helped prepare him for the role, shares the surprising story of how he actually landed the part, and reflects on the deeper themes that gave the original “V” such extraordinary impact. He also looks back at working with Faye Grant, Jane Badler, Robert Englund and the rest of the unforgettable cast—and the lasting connection he developed with “V” fans around the world.

And there’s much more! Marc discusses his memorable season of “Dallas,” including working with Larry Hagman, his experience on “The Young and the Restless,” the demands of performing action on screen, and what it was like watching “The Beastmaster” and “V” return in new forms years later. He also reveals what it meant to return to those worlds—and why meeting fans at conventions has become such a meaningful experience. It’s another candid, fascinating journey through Marc Singer’s extraordinary Hollywood career—and one you won't want to miss!

MARC SINGER 

Marc Singer began his television career in 1974 on the short-lived “Planet of the Apes” series. He went on to make guest appearances on shows including “Barnaby Jones,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “The Rookies,” before landing prominent roles in television movies such as “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Something for Joey,” and “Roots: The Next Generations.” His first feature film was 1978’s “Go Tell the Spartans,” followed by “If You Could See What I Hear” in 1982.

Singer’s breakthrough came that same year when he starred as Dar in the action-adventure fantasy “The Beastmaster.” He became even more widely known as journalist Mike Donovan in the groundbreaking 1983 miniseries “V,” its sequel “V: The Final Battle,” and the subsequent television series. Throughout the 1980s and beyond, he continued working steadily in film and television, with appearances on “Dallas,” “The Twilight Zone,” “The Hitchhiker,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “Simon & Simon.” He also voiced Man-Bat in “Batman: The Animated Series” and returned to the Beastmaster role in “Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time.”

Beyond his screen work, Singer has maintained a connection to classical theater, performing with the American Conservatory Theater in productions including “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Cyrano de Bergerac.” He later appeared as Lars Tremont in the 2011 “V” reboot and had a recurring role as General Matthew Shrieve on “Arrow.” More recent credits include the Netflix series “AJ and the Queen,” demonstrating that after decades in the business, Marc Singer continues to bring his talent and versatility to audiences across film and television.

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On the latest episode of Hollywood Obsessed, Tony Miros sits down with the talented Marc Singer, best known for his iconic roles as heroic Dar in “The Beastmaster” and Mike Donovan in the groundbreaking 1980s sci-fi series “V”. But there’s much more to Singer’s Hollywood story than these unforgettable roles. In this fascinating first part of our conversation, Marc takes us back to the creative family and early experiences that inspired him to pursue acting—and ultimately led him to a remarkable career on stage, television, and film.

Singer opens up about discovering his love of acting through Shakespeare and theater, his early years performing alongside some of Hollywood’s legendary stars, and the invaluable lessons he learned from working with actors including Burt Lancaster, Geraldine Page, Henry Fonda, Olivia de Havilland, and Maureen O’Sullivan. He also shares some wonderful behind-the-scenes stories from those early days, including an unforgettable first encounter with Lancaster.

We also explore some of the fascinating stops along his journey, from “The Twilight Zone” and “Planet of the Apes” to the cult favorite “For Ladies Only” and the television movie “Paper Dolls,” where he worked with Joan Collins and Daryl Hannah. Marc reflects on what he learned from each experience, why theater remains his first love, and the advice he gives aspiring actors about truly mastering their craft.

And, of course, we get into “The Beastmaster”—the film that transformed Marc Singer into an action and fantasy icon. He reveals what it was like stepping into that legendary role, the challenging conditions of filming, and how the very first day of shooting began with one particularly unforgettable scene in quicksand! It’s a candid, entertaining, and deeply personal conversation with an actor who has spent decades embracing the magic of performing. And this is only Part 1!

MARC SINGER 

Singer began his television career in 1974 as Dalton on the short-lived “Planet of the Apes” series. He went on to make guest appearances on shows including “Barnaby Jones,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “The Rookies,” before landing prominent roles in television movies such as “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Something for Joey,” and “Roots: The Next Generations.” His first feature film was 1978’s “Go Tell the Spartans,” followed by “If You Could See What I Hear” in 1982.

Singer’s breakthrough came that same year when he starred as Dar in the action-adventure fantasy “The Beastmaster.” He became even more widely known as journalist Mike Donovan in the groundbreaking 1983 miniseries “V,” its sequel “V: The Final Battle,” and the subsequent television series. Throughout the 1980s and beyond, he continued working steadily in film and television, with appearances on “Dallas,” “The Twilight Zone,” “The Hitchhiker,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “Simon & Simon.” He also voiced Man-Bat in “Batman: The Animated Series” and returned to the Beastmaster role in “Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time.”

Beyond his screen work, Singer has maintained a connection to classical theater, performing with the American Conservatory Theater in productions including “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Cyrano de Bergerac.” He later appeared as Lars Tremont in the 2011 “V” reboot and had a recurring role as General Matthew Shrieve on “Arrow.” More recent credits include the Netflix series “AJ and the Queen,” demonstrating that after decades in the business, he continues to bring his talent and versatility to audiences across film and television.

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My conversation continues with filmmaker David Kittredge about his extraordinary documentary “BOORMAN AND THE DEVIL” and the troubled, fascinating history behind “Exorcist II: The Heretic.”

David takes me deep behind the scenes of his five-year labor of love, from discovering an incredible treasure trove of John Boorman’s production papers at Indiana University’s Lilly Library to recreating lost moments of the film through animation and motion graphics. He also reveals how the documentary made its way to the Venice Film Festival, why getting it ready for its premiere became a race against the clock, and the extraordinary technical achievements behind “Exorcist II”—including its groundbreaking early use of the Steadicam.

We also talk about David’s unforgettable interviews with Louise Fletcher and Linda Blair, and why revisiting such a painful chapter in their careers produced some of the documentary’s most moving moments. David opens up about Linda’s experience making the film at just 17 years old, the constantly changing screenplay, the infamous “void” ending that was ultimately abandoned, and the many things that went wrong during the production—fueling decades of talk that the movie was somehow cursed.

And then there’s the future! David reveals how filmmaker Mike Flanagan became part of the documentary, shares his enthusiasm for Flanagan’s upcoming “Exorcist” film, and talks about what he hopes to make next. Most importantly, David reflects on the lesson he learned from spending five years obsessed with a movie he simply believed needed to exist: sometimes you have to make the film you desperately want to see and trust that, if you’re passionate enough, audiences will find it. It’s a wonderful, candid conversation about filmmaking, obsession, perseverance, and the enduring legacy of “Exorcist II: The Heretic.”

DAVID KITTREDGE 
David Kittredge is a director, editor, writer, producer, and all-around cinema geek living and working in Los Angeles, with occasional time spent in New York. He spends way too much time reading about HDR cinematography and post-production workflows, waxing poetic about “Lost Highway”, “Dressed to Kill”, “The Red Shoes”, “Lawrence of Arabia”, and “Exorcist II: The Heretic”—and explaining why Sensurround was actually pretty cool.

In 2025, David’s latest documentary, “Boorman and the Devil”, had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. The film is now receiving its national theatrical release, in theaters across the United States.

In 2015, David edited “54: The Director’s Cut”, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival. This new and vastly different version of the 1998 film features 44 minutes of footage not seen in the original theatrical release. The project took six months to recut, restore, and reconstruct. David also produced and edited the behind-the-scenes documentary “If You Could Read My Mind”, which appears on the Blu-ray and explores the process of creating the director’s cut.

In 2009, David wrote, directed, and co-edited the award-winning feature film “Pornography: A Thriller”. The film screened at more than 25 film festivals, winning multiple awards before its U.S. theatrical release.

David has also written and directed two award-winning short films that screened at dozens of film festivals: “Fairy Tale” and “Target Audience”, the latter of which was a Teddy Award nominee at the Berlin Film Festival.

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