Jones built his career on family-friendly entertainment, and became one of Disney's biggest stars throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Born in Alabama he began his performing career as a singer on the New Orleans club circuit. After finishing university and four years in the navy, he tried his luck as a movie star with MGM.
One of his first roles was alongside Elvis Presley in his 1957 film "Jailhouse Rock". But he soon turned to Broadway, acting alongside Jane Fonda in "There Was A Little Girl", and received critical acclaim for "Under The Yum Yum Tree". A movie version followed soon after, which he also starred in.
He would go on to appear in 46 films, including "That Darn Cat!", "Other People's Money", "Clear And Present Danger" and "Beethoven". But arguably his most successful role was in "The Love Bug", where he played a struggling racing car driver who comes across a Volkswagen named Herbie that shows human traits.
He also made a cameo appearance in a 1997 television remake of the film.
"We're always looking for social significance, but maybe people just like to be entertained," he once told the Los Angeles Times.
Jones eventually returned to the stage playing the lead role in Stephen Sondheim's classic Broadway musical "Company". But a fortnight later he withdrew citing family problems. He remained on its album, which went on to receive a Grammy.
He worked regularly into his 70s, making his final on-screen appearance in the 2009 film "Mandie and the Secret Tunnel".
Jones died of complications from Parkinson's Disease in Los Angeles. He's survived by his wife of 42 years, Lory, and three children.
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