Simon Jones

For fans of the science fiction comedy spoof "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," the BBC radio series that ran from 1978 to 2005, Simon Jones is best known for playing the unlucky protagonist, Arthur Dent. Jones first met the book's author, Douglas Adams, at Cambridge University, where both were members of the Footlights theatrical club. Adams has since stated publicly that Jones was the inspiration for the Arthur Dent character.

While a member of Footlights, Jones also came in contact with John Cleese, Graham Chapman, and Eric Idle of the Monty Python comedy troupe. Because of his connection to Monty Python, Jones appeared in "Monty Python's The Meaning of Life," "Brazil," and "12 Monkeys," the latter two directed by Python member Terry Gilliam. Jones has also appeared in several Broadway plays, among them "The Fifteen-Minute Hamlet" and the Noel Coward-penned "Blithe Spirit." When he's not acting on stage or screen, Jones has lent his voice to dozens of audio books, including "Douglas Adams at the BBC."