7 Things to know about J.K. Simmons

NEW YORK -- Here are 7 things to know about J.K. Simmons, who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance as Terence Fletcher in the film Whiplash.

1) J.K. is short for Jonathan Kimble (he became J.K. when he began working in film.

2) He was born in Detroit.

3) Simmons made his NYC stage debut in the off-Broadway musical "Birds of Paradise" in 1987. He eventually appeared on Broadway in "Guys and Dolls" in 1992.

4) Simmons credits director Jason Reitman (son of Ivan Reitman, who directed Ghostbusters) with helping him break into film.

5) Reitman has directed Simmons in 6 of his films, including as the caring dad of a teenager in "Juno" and a fired employee in "Up in the Air."

6) Simmons is the voice of the yellow M&M in the popular TV ads. He says he thought he should try for the red M&M (a fast-talking wise guy, because that's the vibe he was in -Globe and Mail, 10/24/14)

7) Simmons (Fletcher) is actually conducting the band in the movie (he studied music in college -- more on that below!). All of the musicians in the movie are really playing live.