Highlights
- Angus T. Jones expressed discomfort with adult storylines on "Two and a Half Men," calling the show "filth" and encouraging people to stop watching.
- After leaving the show, Jones returned for the series finale but has since had limited acting roles and is now a reclusive individual.
- Jones has a $20 million fortune from his time on the show, allowing him to live life on his own terms without needing to pursue acting or entertainment.
Angus T. Jones stole viewers' hearts as Jake Alan, the "half-man" from Two and a Half Men. He became the highest-paid child actor on television at age 17, but then voiced his desire to leave the show after forging down a religious path in real life. Jones left the show but eventually returned for the series finale in 2015.
In the show's ninth season, which ran from 2011 to 2012, Jones' character Jake was given more adult storylines. For example, he was portrayed as a heavy marijuana user, as well as being sexually active both with girls his own age and older women. The final episode of Season 9 shows Jake graduating from high school and joining the army.
During an appearance at the annual PaleyFest in Los Angeles, California in March 2012, Jones, who had just turned 18 during the ninth season, was uncomfortable with the new storylines, saying that it was "very awkward" to do the "adult thing" while not an adult.
Updated August 2023: These days, the only time Angus T. Jones makes headlines is if he is seen out running errands or walking around his block without shoes. It appears that Jones has turned into little more than a reclusive.
While he expressed an interest to get back into acting in more recent years, with the bridges he burned during his time on 'Two and a Half Men', that may not be an option at this point. After all, he has aged out of child and teen roles, and would have to reestablish himself as an adult actor. And without some serious mea culpa and reassurance that another meltdown would not happen in the future, Jones may just be too risky to take a chance on for major roles in Hollywood.
Angus T. Jones' Religious Decisions
In late 2012, Jones continued to follow his path to his religious faith and was eventually baptized. Shortly after his baptism, Jones admitted to no longer wanting to appear on Two and a Half Men. He called the show "filth" and said it conflicted with his religious views. Jones also encouraged people to stop watching the show.
"Jake from Two and a Half Men means nothing. He is a non-existent character," Jones explained. "If you watch Two and a Half Men, please stop watching Two and a Half Men. I'm on Two and a Half Men and I don't want to be on it. Please stop watching it and filling your head with filth. People say it’s just entertainment. Do some research on the effects of television and your brain, and I promise you you’ll have a decision to make when it comes to television, especially with what you watch."
Producers for the show said he wasn't expected to return to the show until 2013 as his character did not appear in the last few episodes of Season 10.
In April 2013, CBS announced Jones would be downgraded from the main cast to recurring in Season 11. However, he did not appear at all during the season. Jones was then replaced by Amber Tamblyn and in March, officially announced his departure, stating he had been a "paid hypocrite."
Did Angus T. Jones Continue Acting?
Contrary to his statements, Jones did return to the show in a cameo for the series finale in Season 12 which aired on February 19, 2015. His last credited acting role is in Louis C.K.'s Horace and Pete in 2016.
Following the show, Jones attended the University of Colorado Boulder and eventually joined an entertainment company, with Sean "Diddy" Combs' son, Justin Combs. In 2016, Jones joined the entertainment management team of Tonite, a multimedia and event production company started by Combs and Kene Orjioke.
While Tonite still puts on events, Jones' name is not mentioned in the company's profile as a key member. That goes to Combs and Orijoke instead. And with the website previously listed for Tonite no longer having a domain, it is unclear just who is in charge of spearheading events with the company.
Angus T. Jones Is Unrecognizable And Reclusive
These days, the only time that Jones is seen out and about is when he runs a quick errand or takes a walk around his neighborhood.
The most recent sightings of Jones came in May and June 2023. In both, his demeanor was described as "sullen" and his body language was defeated.
For those not in the know, Jones could walk past them and be unrecognized. This is because he sports a full beard, wears glasses, and has a larger stature than previously seen on Two and a Half Men.
Fortunately, even though he has made no real money since, Jones managed to put away a $20 million fortune from his time on the hit series and bought a nice home with it. And because of this, if Jones decides his acting and entertainment days are behind him, he can live life on his own terms. A life that may include a career or doing nothing at all.