J.K. Simmons: A real character
J.K. Simmons: A Real Character
J K Simmons - J.K. Simmons, whose career has spanned decades, grew up outside of New York but considers the city his true home. His path to stardom wasn’t straightforward—he once worked as a server at an iconic Joe Allen restaurant, a role he’s not particularly proud of. “Not very good,” he recalled with a chuckle. “I was pleasant, you know. I tried to be charming. But I wasn’t organized. Setting up that table would’ve taken me five trips, and by the time I got there, the butter was already melting.”
The Boss of "The Westies"
Now, Simmons brings his signature intensity to the new series *The Westies*, premiering next week on MGM+. The show revolves around Irish-American gangsters who dominated the West Side of New York in the 1980s. In the series, he portrays the gang’s leader—a man defined by his toughness, sharp mind, and unapologetic ruthlessness.
“I just love going back and forth and doing something different from whatever I just got done doing,” Simmons said. “And if there’s something I can latch onto other than just pure evil, like finding the humanity in the guy somewhere, then yeah, I love playing those kind of guys.”
A Career of "Those Kind of Guys"
Simmons has long been associated with characters who are larger-than-life. From the domineering boss in the *Spider-Man* films to the charismatic spokesperson in Farmers Insurance ads, he’s mastered the art of playing men with distinct personalities. At 71, he admits he’s often been cast as older figures than his actual age, a habit that even carried over into his personal life.
“We didn’t get married until I was 41, and Joe was born when I was 43,” he shared. “I’d have him in the Baby Bjorn at the grocery store when he was, like, six months old, and the checkout lady would say, ‘Oh, you’ve got the grandson today.’ And I’d go … ‘Sure.’”
The Oscar That Changed Everything
His role in *Whiplash* (2014) marked a turning point. As the relentless band instructor opposite Miles Teller, Simmons delivered a performance that earned him an Academy Award. The award ceremony, however, became legendary for his heartfelt speech: “Call your mom, call your dad. If you’re lucky enough to have a parent or two alive on this planet, call ‘em. Don’t text, don’t email. Call them on the phone, tell them you love them, and thank them, and listen to them for as long as they want to talk to you. Thank you. Thank you, Mom and Dad.”
“I heard so many stories of people who were estranged and because some random bald White guy on a stage said ‘Call your mom,’ they called their mom or their dad,” he said. “Like, really dramatic stories of reconciliations because I’d said that.”
From Skid Rows to Stardom
Simmons’ early years in New York were tough. Living on a budget, he endured cramped apartments plagued by roaches and rodents. “Not unsafe,” he joked. “But, you know, yeah, it was New York City on a budget.” Despite the struggles, he never lost his passion for acting. A key moment came when his friend Gregg Edelman, another actor, left him $100 after a night of hanging out. “I was going broke. And the next morning when I got up … I saw he left me 100 bucks, which I needed!”
Today, Simmons is celebrated for his versatility, though he still jokes about the term “character actor.” “Yeah,” he said. “To me, that’s just been like an actor who’s not super-handsome. That’s basically what that means.” With projects like *Heart of the Beast* (out in September) and a co-star in Brad Pitt, he continues to prove that his career is far from over. “It’s crazy to think back on the nervous guy at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, being such a terrible actor, and starting to learn how to be good.”