Photo: Jay Dixit / CC BY-SA 4.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
J. K. Simmons is, for me, proof that the slow build can end in a thunderclap. Over 200 screen and stage credits since 1986 made him one of the great character actors of his era, the reliable presence you trust in any frame. Then came Whiplash, where his terrifying conductor earned a richly deserved 2015 Oscar and BAFTA and showed audiences what insiders had long known. I love that he can pivot from menace to the comic bluster of his Spider-Man newspaper boss to voice work without missing a beat. Watching a lifelong supporting craftsman finally detonate at center stage is my favorite kind of triumph.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- J. K. Simmons
- Name (Japanese)
- J・K・シモンズ
- Reading
- J・K・しもんず
- Born
- January 9, 1955 (age 71)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Capricorn / Goat
- Origin
- Detroit, Michigan, United States
- Occupation
- film actor / voice actor / character actor / stage actor / television actor
2. Background
- High school
- Thomas Worthington High School
- University
- University of Montana
Awards & achievements
- 2015 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
- 2015 BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Whiplash | — | |
| Notable work | Spider-Man | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was J. K. Simmons born?
Born January 9, 1955 (age 71).
Where is J. K. Simmons from?
J. K. Simmons is from Detroit, Michigan, United States.
What does J. K. Simmons do?
J. K. Simmons works as film actor, voice actor, character actor, stage actor, television actor.
What is J. K. Simmons known for?
Notable works include Whiplash, Spider-Man.
Film actor — see all → · Voice actor — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.