Doug Jones, who graduated from Ball State in 1982, used to be best known for starring as the piano-playing moon in a series of Mac Tonight commercials and Abe Sapien in Hellboy.

Now, he can say he's starred in an Academy Award-winning film.

Jones played the roles of Pan and the Pale Man in Pan's Labyrinth, which was nominated for six 2007 Academy Awards and was a Cannes Film Festival selection this past season. By the end of the Oscars ceremony, the film walked away with three statuettes for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Makeup.

While at Ball State, Jones majored in telecommunications, minored in theatre, and pumped up sports crowds as Charlie Cardinal. Seeing Jones "masked up" for his current role in Pan's Labyrinth indicates his career is really flying but that he hasn't flown too far from his nest, says Rodger Smith, director of the Institute for Digital Entertainment and Education.

"The role leads you to a special look at Doug and the costume created for him," he says. "I recommend everyone see the film, which is superior in concept, design, and execution—and yet another star in Doug's crown."

Further feathering Jones' theatrical cap is another leading role that followed Pan's Labyrinth. The versatile actor played the Silver Surfer in The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.