Summary
- J.K. Simmons' portrayal of Omni-Man in Invincible is emotional and riveting, showcasing his voice-acting talent.
- Simmons' role in Whiplash as Terence Fletcher is iconic, earning him an Oscar for his vindictive performance.
- Simmons' diverse career includes playing menacing characters like Vernon Schillinger in Oz and Ray King in The Accountant.
Amazon Prime Video's very own Invincible has continued its ascension to becoming one of the most popular shows around, precisely with Mark's fight with the Viltrumites heating up. So far in season 3, Mark Grayson has had his fair share of traumatic events that have left the superhero reeling, with the pressures of his family issues, newfound relationship, and work struggles to catch up to the appealing protagonist.
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While Invincible is often headlined by Mark, his father, Omni-Man, has become a significant part of the show, much owing to the compelling portrayal by J.K. Simmons. The acclaimed actor's work goes further than his renowned voice-acting performance, as Simmons has had an illustrious career that has seen him have many memorable roles, whether in quintessential movies or television.
8 Ray King – The Accountant (2016)
Intelligent High-Ranking Official That Attempts To Track Down The Affleck-Played Protagonist
The Accountant
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 13, 2016
- Runtime
- 128 minutes
- Director
- Gavin O'Connor
- Writers
- Bill Dubuque
- Studio(s)
- Warner Bros. Pictures
Dabbling in the crime genre brought Simmons a challenging and high-profile role opposite a big name like Ben Affleck in The Accountant, with Simmons riding the wave of his Whiplash success. The Accountant follows Affleck's Christian Wolff, a neurodivergent accountant who balances the books for some of the world's most powerful criminal organizations.
While Wolff takes more risks, Simmons' Ray King, a director of FinCEN, intends to track down Wolff to keep the protagonist on a leash in order to expose criminal groups that Wolff becomes engaged with. Simmons' senior and authoritarian role leads to a cunning and wise performance that perfectly encapsulates the role of Ray and his complex relationship with Wolff as they delve into the world of money laundering and other illegal activities.
7 Roy Schlieffen – Palm Springs (2020)
From Murderous Bow And Arrow Wielder To Drugged Up Party Animal
Palm Springs
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- July 10, 2020
WHERE TO WATCH
- Runtime
- 90 minutes
- Director
- Max Barbakow
- Writers
- Andy Siara
- Studio(s)
- Hulu
Palm Springs offered Simmons plenty of freedom for creativity and fun as his character, Roy Schlieffen, indulges in a world of frolicking and chaos as Simmons' character endures being stuck in a time loop at a wedding. The time loop comedy sees two strangers slowly develop a romantic relationship as they find themselves stuck in a time loop on the day of a wedding they both attend as guests.
Surrounded by a comedic cast, Simmons' Roy goes from a drugged-up party fiend to a trapped and isolated man stuck in time, with the character even hunting the protagonist, Nyles, with a bow and arrow in order to get revenge for his unfortunate predicament. In the versatile role, Simmons conjures up a variety of emotions, leading to one of the actor's most underappreciated roles to date.
6 Howard Silk – Counterpart (2017-2019)
Protagonist With Dual Roles From Differing Dimensions
Counterpart
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2017 - 2019-00-00
- Seasons
- 2
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
Although short-lived, the spy showcase Counterpart afforded Simmons the complicated challenge of playing a dual role as protagonist, portraying identical-looking characters from alternate dimensions. The uncommon premise sees Howard Silk discover his agency's secret portal to a foreign world lacking technological infrastructure, where his alternative self is a master at espionage.
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Amidst the cold war between the two differing worlds, the two versions of Silk are vastly different, with his original self coming across as calm and stable, while his counterpart is highly skilled and determined in his approach. Much of the praise and success of Counterpart comes down to Simmons' tremendous hybrid role, with his ability to perfectly distinguish between the two through impeccable body language, tone, and speech, which is a testament to the actor's abilities.
5 Mac MacGuff – Juno (2007)
Concerned Father Looking Out For His Young Daughter
Juno
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- December 5, 2007
WHERE TO WATCH
- Runtime
- 96 minutes
- Director
- Jason Reitman
- Writers
- Diablo Cody
- Studio(s)
- Searchlight Pictures
One of the cult comedies of the 00s, Juno, brought Simmons a compelling role as a caring father, pushing the actor to further stardom and notoriety. Juno focuses on a quirky teenage girl who becomes pregnant, with Juno goes through a life-changing process, which includes giving up her unborn child for adoption to a seemingly sweet couple.
In his supporting role, Simmons' Mac MacGuff wholly supports his daughter's decision, offering comfort and fatherly love that shows another side to Simmons, with the actor having many scene-stealing moments, a testament to Simmons' approach and talent.
4 Omni-Man/Nolan Grayson – Invincible (2021-Present)
From Savior Of Earth To The Planet's Greatest Enemy In Emotional And Visceral Superhero Portrayal
Invincible
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- March 26, 2021
- Network
- Amazon Prime Video
- Showrunner
- Robert Kirkman, Simon Racioppa
- Seasons
- 2
- Where To Watch
- Prime Video
In Simmons' career, the actor has not shied away from voice-acting roles, with his decision eventually leading him to portray Omni-Man from Invincible, a role which has amassed much acclaim. The popular animated show follows an adolescent, Mark, who learns to become a superhero in the midst of his superhero father's U-turn on Earth and his own family, leading to intense battles and emotional beats that have made Invincible an Amazon Prime Video staple.
Initially starting as a dependable superhero on Earth, Nolan Grayson's despicable Viltrumite persona bubbles to the surface, enabling Simmons to deliver a riveting and compelling voice-acting performance fueled by rage, fury, and confusion.
3 Vernon Schillinger – Oz (1997-2003)
Terrifying Monster Incarnated In Maximum Security Prison
Oz
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1997 - 2003-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Network
- HBO Max
- Showrunner
- Tom Fontana
- Seasons
- 6
Known for playing bad guys, Simmons' detestable and vile portrayal of Vernon Schillinger in the HBO classic Oz put the actor on the map, with Oz propelling Simmons into the spotlight. A show that bridged the gap between the 20th and 21st centuries, Oz was a prison drama that followed the daily lives of dangerous individuals inhabiting Oswald State Penitentiary and the criminal affairs they get up to.
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In potentially Simmons' scariest role, his character Vernon acts as a major antagonist, portraying an incarcerated head honcho who rules by fear and intimidation. Among Vernon's disgusting beliefs and attitudes, Simmons brings a level of ferocity and narcissism the character requires, as the actor excelled in the now legendary drama.
2 J. Jonah Jameson – Spider-Man (2002)
Hot-Headed News Editor That Has It Out For Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- May 3, 2002
WHERE TO WATCH
- Runtime
- 121 Minutes
- Director
- Sam Raimi
- Writers
- David Koepp
- Studio(s)
- Marvel, Columbia Pictures
What started as a small role in the first-ever live-action Spider-Man movie has spawned into a worldwide known character who has appeared in several Spider-Man movies throughout different iterations, including the MCU, with J. Jonah Jameson being a career highlight for Simmons. Often known for being Spider-Man's greatest hater, The Daily Bugle editor becomes a constant thorn for Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker, constantly raving and ranting about his exploits in New York.
Simmons' bombastic and loudmouth portrayal has led to the character becoming a pop culture icon, with his comedic and over-the-top personality becoming synonymous with the Spider-Man franchise, so much so that Simmons has featured as J. Jonah Jameson across various Spider-Man cartoons and even returns as the character in the MCU.
1 Terence Fletcher – Whiplash (2014)
Vindictive And Electrifying Portrayal Of An Abusive Jazz Music Teacher
Whiplash
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 10, 2014
WHERE TO WATCH
- Runtime
- 107 Minutes
- Director
- Damien Chazelle
- Writers
- Damien Chazelle
- Studio(s)
- Sony
One of the great performances of the 2010s belongs to Simmons for his truly transcendent portrayal of Terence Fletcher in Whiplash, the jazz drumming movie that afforded Simmons an all-time role. While not the protagonist, Simmons plays an intense jazz instructor who acts hard on the school's new drummer, Andrew Neiman, a diamond in the rough. Throughout Nieman's development, Simmons' character puts the protagonist through hell, pushing him to the limit in order to help Nieman reach the pinnacle of his art form.
As Fletcher, Simmons' command of every scene is frightening as he torments his students in search of perfection. The brutal and vicious nature Simmons enacts makes his character a haunting tyrant, riveting audiences in the process, with the actor's lauded portrayal even gaining Simmons an Oscar, cementing his character in the annex of cinematic history.
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