J. K. Simmons has always been a busy actor, who has appeared in TV, films and commercials. Now, he’s playing Chris Evan’s father in Apple TV+’s “Defending Jacob.”
Video Content: J. K. Simmons (2020)
SIDEWALKS host Lori Rosales talks to J. K. Simmons about playing J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” trilogy, his musical background, and playing Billy Barber, Andy Barber’s (played by Chris Evans) dad, on Apple TV+’s “Defending Jacob.”
Mini-Biography:
Born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, the award-winning actor, J. K. Simmons, is a very familiar face in film, TV and advertisements, who has a long list of credits. In TV, he played Dr. Emil Skoda on NBC’s “Law & Order,” Vernon Schillinger on HBO’s “Oz,” Assistant Police Chief Will Pope on TNT’s “The Closer,” and as Howard Silk in Starz’s “Counterpart.” Some of Simmons’ notable film roles are music instructor Terence Fletcher in “Whiplash,” Dr. Mingus in “Extreme Measures,” Ray Kendall in “The Cider House Rules,” Frank Perry in “For Love of the Game,” Jacobson in “The Astronaut Farmer,” Mr. Wroblewski in “Jennifer’s Body,” Edwin Pollard in “Dark Skies,” O’Brien in “Terminator Genisys,” Zipper in “The Meddler,” Ray King in “The Accountant,” Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese in “Patriots Day,” James Gordon in “Justice League,” and J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” trilogy and “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” among many others. He used his voice in “Portal 2,” “The Legend of Korra,” “Gravity Falls,” “Kung Fu Panda 3,” and “Zootopia.” Additionally, Simmons has appeared in a series of commercials for Farmers Insurance and M&M (voice of the Yellow M&M).
Interview Credits:
Recorded: May 27, 2020
Host / Producer: Lori Rosales
Editor: Richard R. Lee
Special Thanks To: Apple TV+ / Anonymous Content / Paramount Television