What Billy Butcherson From Hocus Pocus Really Looks Like Out Of Costume
In 1993, Disney's "Hocus Pocus" introduced many memorable characters that entertained audiences for nearly three decades. This is one reason why it was exciting news to learn that most of the cast will return for Disney+'s upcoming "Hocus Pocus 2." Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy will all reprise their roles as the Sanderson sisters — Winifred, Sarah, and Mary, respectively. In the sequel, 29 years have passed, and the sisters will have to overcome new obstacles as a new set of younger characters in Salem try to avoid being put under their spell. But another character from the first film will also return for the much-anticipated follow-up.
Doug Jones is returning for the sequel to reprise his role as Billy Butcherson, the cursed ex-romantic partner of Winifred's from the 1600s. His role added additional comedy relief to the original movie, in addition to an impressive amount of makeup effects for the early 1990s (per The Hollywood Reporter). But most surprising is discovering what Jones looks like out of the costume he made so famous back then.
Doug Jones looks nothing like Billy Butcherson
Doug Jones is completely normal-looking outside of the makeup associated with one of his most famous characters. In the original "Hocus Pocus," Billy Butcherson was poisoned by Winifred when they were together, only to be resurrected as a zombie in 1993 to assist the sisters in tracking down their book of spells that Allison Watts (Vinessa Shaw), Max Dennison (Omri Katz), and his sister Dani (Thora Birch) stole. Billy soon teams up with the children to stop the Sanderson sisters from possessing Salem and finally get revenge on Winifred.
Billy became a fan favorite, and when speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Jones revealed he never expected this. He commented, "I thought we were going to have a huge box office hit and that my face might be on some lunch boxes and things, and some toys, and that it would fade out with time, like most movies might." He also mentioned that transforming into Billy only took an hour and a half each day in the makeup chair.
The actor went on to have a prolific career, which included the role of the Amphibian Man in "The Shape Of Water" and many other monsters and ghouls over the years. Thanks to "Hocus Pocus 2," which premieres September 30 on Disney+, we can all see him again as one of his most popular creations.