Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

J.K. Simmons Biography

Birth Name:Jonathan Kimble Simmons

Birth Place:Detroit, Michigan, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Graduated from University of Montana in 1978 with a degree in music
Got married to actress Michelle Schumacher in 1996
Brother to singer and songwriter David Simmons
Made his Broadway debut in 1990 as Edwin in "A Change in the Heir․"
Quote: "(On his recurring role as a professor in insurance commercials) "It was a character and I thought the spots were kind of fun and funny․ It's been a campaign that's been a fun thing to be a part of․""
Quote: "(On his off-screen role in the Coen brothers' "True Grit") "It was a little voiceover, and I said, 'For Joel and Ethan? Absolutely․ I don't care what it is․ For them I'll do it․'""
Quote: "(On leaving TNT's "The Closer") "I did it for seven years and had a really good time," he says․ "And then I had the option of continuing or looking for something new, and I really felt like it was time for something new․""
Known for partnering with director Jason Reitman, including films "Juno," "Up in the Air," and "Young Adult․"
Portrayed the character President Howard T․ Ackerman in the video game "Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3․"
Supplied the voice of the yellow M&M in TV commercials

Awards

2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2008Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2008Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2008Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2009Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2009ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
2009WAFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
2010Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2010COFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
2010DFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2011Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2013BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Male Lead Vocal Performance in a Television Series - Action/Drama: nominated
2013BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a New Television Series: winner
2013BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a New Television Series: winner
2013OFTA Television Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
2014AAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014AFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014ACCA-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
2014BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Action/Drama: winner
2014BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Action/Drama: nominated
2014BFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014BSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014FFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actor of the Year: winner
2014IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014ICP Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014Sierra Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014NFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014NYFCO Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014OFTA Television Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
2014OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014PCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014PFCS Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
2014SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014SFFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014SEFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014TFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014UFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014VVFP Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015AACTA International Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
2015Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2015Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
2015EDA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Action/Drama: nominated
2015BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Action/Drama: winner
2015Palmarés blogos de oro-Best Supporting Actor (Mejor Actor de reparto): winner
2015COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015DFCC-Best Actor: nominated
2015Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: winner
2015GAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actor: winner
2015Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: winner
2015HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015ICS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2015INOCA-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2015IOFCP Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015IFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015IOMA-Best Supporting Actor (Miglior attore non protagonista): winner
2015ALFS Award-Supporting Actor of the Year: winner
2015MTV Movie Award-Best Villain: nominated
2015NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015NCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2015NTFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015Spotlight Award-: winner
2015Virtuoso Award-: winner
2015Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
2015Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015VFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2016BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Supporting Role: winner
2016BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Supporting Role: winner
2016BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series: nominated
2016IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2016Odyssey Award-Best Support Actor: winner
2017Movies for Grownups Award-Best Grownup Love Story: nominated
2017BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role: nominated
2017BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
2017Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2018IGN Award-Best Dramatic TV Performance: nominated
2018INOCA TV-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2019Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Drama/Genre: nominated
2020Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actor of the Decade: winner
2020Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: nominated
2020IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2020OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2021CCA Super Award-Best Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie: nominated
2021CCA Super Award-Best Villain in a Movie: nominated
2021FFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2021Sierra Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2021NTFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2021OFTA Television Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
2022Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2022Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2022Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2022DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2022HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2022IFJA Award-Best Vocal/Motion Capture Performance: nominated
2022SFBAFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2022Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2023MMCG Award-Award for Film Excellence: nominated
2023Best Supporting Actor-Feature Film: winner
2023Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Drama or Genre: nominated
2024MMCG Award-Award for Film Excellence: nominated
2025MMCG Award-Award for Film Excellence: nominated
2025Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series: nominated