Dove Foundation Advisor Biography 

Dean Jones
Actor; Producer

Dean Jones, who started out his professional life as a producer of stage shows, has parlayed his skill as a light comedian into International motion picture grosses exceeding $960 million.  Six of his ten films for Walt Disney are on Variety’s all-time hit list.

Although best known for comedy efforts such as The Love Bug, Under the Yum-Yum Tree, That Darn Cat and Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, Jones has also made vital, dramatic films like The New Interns,Never So Few, Other People’s Money and When Every Day Was the Fourth of July.

When Jones is not performing, he is a concerned activist, involved in international child-care, problems of the homeless, world hunger, and is founder/president of Christian Rescue Committee, which “provides a way of escape to Jews, Christians and others persecuted for their faith.”

After 46 films, 5 Broadway shows, and twenty-something years of television, Jones has written his autobiography, Under Running Laughter.  He was named a Disney Legend in 1998, thanks to his many starring roles at that studio. 

Dean’s recent stage work includes starring as ‘Cap’n Andy’ in Hal Prince’s epic $10 million touring production of SHOW BOAT, where he played to SRO crowds and rave reviews across the country.  In addition, his one-man play has been called a “masterpiece” by several critics.  The late Alan Jay Lerner said St. John in Exile had “changed” his life. “One is reminded of Hal Holbrook as Mark Twain and Henry Fonda as Clarence Darrow,” echoes the Arizona Republic. Director Dan Curtis calls Jones’s St. John, “The best performance I’ve ever seen.”

Dean and his wife–writer, Lory Basham Jones–love to travel, collect antiques, and hike in the desert.  They have three children, Michael, Carol and Deanna.