Local Actor Basks in the Limelight

Some actors shun the limelight, but Mickey Jones says he likes being recognized in the town where his children grew up. When he walks down the street and hears passersby say, “Hey, you’re that guy from ‘Home Improvement,’ ” or, “Hey, you’re that Breath Saver guy,” he feels right at home.

“I’ve played more bikers and bad guys than probably anybody in the industry. I like it,” Jones said. “People say, ‘Aren’t you typecast?’ I say, ‘Yeah, and I get a paycheck for being typecast, and I like it a lot.’ Typecast means I’m working.”

Jones has had a recurring role on the 8-year-old TV series “Home Improvement.” He plays construction worker Pete Bilker, one role in an acting career that Jones figures includes about 100 commercials, a couple hundred television shows and more than 60 films.

Before he became known for his “biker” roles, the 57-year-old Jones spent 23 years as a top drummer, recording and touring Europe and, with the USO, Vietnam, backing up the likes of Kenny Rogers, Bob Dylan, Johnny Rivers and Trini Lopez.

Originally from Texas, Jones moved to Simi Valley more than 20 years ago because the aspiring actor and his wife, Phyllis, wanted to live in a place they could afford that was within commuting distance of Hollywood.

“I like it because we’re outside of L.A. County. I like the fact that we’re the No. 1 safest city in the country,” Jones said. “We consider this our home.”