J. K. Simmons Biography

Jonathan Kimble "J. K." Simmons (born January 9, 1955) is an American actor.

He is known for his roles as Dr. Emil Skoda on the NBC series Law & Order (and other Law & Order franchise series), neo-Nazi Vernon Schillinger on the HBO prison drama series Oz, Assistant Police Chief Will Pope on the TNT series The Closer, J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, and the voices of Cave Johnson in the 2011 puzzle game Portal 2 and Tenzin in The Legend of Korra. Simmons is also known for appearing in a series of television commercials for Farmers Insurance.

His 2014 performance as music instructor Terence Fletcher in Whiplash earned him a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and earned him the Best Supporting Actor trophy at the 68th British Academy Film Awards.

Early life

Simmons was born in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Patricia (née Kimble), an administrator, and Donald William Simmons, a college professor. He was raised in Columbus, Ohio and Missoula, Montana, and attended the University of Montana. He was a member of the Seattle Repertory Theatre.