How JK Simmons’ “Most Secret” Role Changed His Life

JK Simmons He started recording films in 1994 and since then, he has participated in several famous works. In the eyes of the public, he will always be remembered for his roles as J. Jonah Jameson in the films of Spider-Man — whether in the trilogy directed by Sam Raimi or within the Marvel Cinematic Universe — and the abusive jazz maestro Terence Fletcher in Whiplash: In Search of Perfection (2014), a role that earned him an Oscar.

Naturally, many would assume that the two characters are the most special to the actor in his entire career. However, there is another unusual role defined as “secret” that is credited with being responsible for changing his life, according to him.

Simmons also does a lot of voice acting work, even outside of films and series. And since 1996, he has been the one lending his voice to the yellow M&M in commercials, in English, of the famous homonymous chocolate.

Accepting to voice the character changed the artist’s life forever. In an interview with GQ (via MovieWeb), the American declared that the financial compensation from work allowed him to better choose his jobs and, thus, spend more time with his family.

Billy West was cast as the red M&M. And I’ve been doing it (the yellow one) for about… 30 years? It’s been a long time. As the campaign grew, Billy and I were stuck with red and yellow and our salary increased. It was the first time I felt like I was in a position where, financially, I didn’t have to take all the acting work and be away from my family for three weeks and things like that. I can do whatever I want, I can try to stay at home and have a life and a career at the same time.”

Simmons I had already revealed this special side of the work in a conversation on the podcast 10 Questions with Kyle Brandt. For him, the financial compensation from work also brought more peace to his life.

The M&M role came, quickly became stable and allowed me to have freedom and take some of the weight off my shoulders as I got married, bought my house and contemplated becoming a father. It gave me freedom, inner peace and the ability, once the kids came along, to say ‘no’ to a job that would take me away from my family for eight weeks.”

JK Simmons wanted to be the red M&M

In the interview with GQ, JK Simmons He also revealed that if it were up to him, he would have voiced the red M&M. When reading the character’s description, the artist identified with his way of talking.

I had just finished recording (the series) New York Undercoverwhere I played a fast-talking, ethically questionable New York cop. I went to the audition and had little descriptions of the characters. ‘Red M&M talks fast, is wise and blah blah blah’. And yellow is slower, more pleasant, a little silly, you know? I identify more with red.”

However, he ended up convinced to stay in yellow. Janet Eisenbergcasting director, was responsible for persuading him to remain with the character originally assigned to him.

Collaborated: Augusto Ikeda.