While we may know J.K. Simmons as one of the most eminent actors of his generation, he never really planned to be a Hollywood star.
In fact, way before his film and TV career took off, Simmons was enjoying the whimsical life of being a bachelor and theater actor.
It was during those theater years, and after missing out on his dream role, that the Oscar award winner met the love of his life and made a beautiful family.
Discussing how he and his wife met, J.K. Simmons detailed the encounter to talk show host James Corden.
The host asked if the actor and his wife had felt an immediate connection.
“I was certainly drawn to her right away,” the 68-year-old expressed.
However, he can’t really say the same for his wife.
Michelle Schumacher is a director who started her film career as an actress, singer, and dancer.
The blonde beauty was heavily into Broadway in her younger years, so she decided to pursue her ambitions and join the theater scene.
At the beginning of the 1990s, Michelle joined the ‘Peter Pan’ production as Tiger Lily. Funnily enough, this Tiger Lily ended up fancying Captain Hook more than Peter Pan.
The couple’s first encounter is burned in the actor’s mind forever. It wasn’t anything bad — it’s just that nothing really went according to plan, and the result is hilarious.
As we mentioned, Michelle was playing Tiger Lily at the time, and J.K. was learning to perfect his bad-guy persona as the dastardly Captain Hook.
It was 1991. Tiger Lily joined the crew later than Hook did, and so she was a bit of a new girl on the scene. The “Klaus” star thought the new recruit was cute.
On Schumacher’s opening night, J.K. went to her dressing room to welcome the actress to the production.
Simmons knocked on the door and was allowed to enter.
Come in. She opens the door. And it is the theater, so she is like in her little dancer thing going on, so I kind of you know, welcome to the company.
Suddenly, Captain Hook had lost all his cool.
His exit was equally suave. The actor recalled on The Late Late Show With James Corden that he wasn’t fully dressed at the time of this encounter either.
I walked out of there and like, killed my big toe on the door going out. Just trying to be cool.
Following up on the beginning of this romance, Corden asked the 68-year-old what it was like to work with his wife on Broadway.
The Golden Globe winner highlighted that Tiger Lily and Captain Hook are supposed to be enemies, but because of their attraction, the actors were doing the opposite.
He is very charismatic on stage as well as TV, so yeah there was an immediate attraction.
This was the first time that the pair worked together, but certainly not the last.
Simmons and Schumacher tied the knot in 1996. They are proud parents to son Joe and daughter Olivia.
Joe is the more musically inclined sibling, showing interest in the aspects of writing songs and playing multiple instruments.
Olivia sees her parents as mentors and has decided to follow the acting path.
The actor sometimes brings his creative crew along with him to premieres and red-carpet events. They’re a lovely and loving family.
However, it was a tragedy in J.K’s life that led him to where he is now — a critically acclaimed actor and doting father and husband.
Simmons didn’t always plan to settle down and have kids.
While on Broadway and performing in theater, the “Whiplash” actor was on his working bachelor vibes, focusing more on his career than romance.
After moving to New York City in the mid-’90s for theater work, Simmons was in the cast of the Broadway version of ‘A Few Good Men.’
Ron Perlman played the Colonel in the play.
When Perlman gave his notice that he was leaving, J.K., who’d understudied the part many times, was certain he’d get the promotion that would make him a star.
He also really wanted this role.
Unfortunately, the producers decided to go with a famous name.
Simmons was crushed.
The actor realized he couldn’t spend his life watching someone else step into his destiny, so he changed course and quit the show to play another officer, Captain Hook.
Well, you know what they say? Everything happens for a reason.
In the years after getting married and growing their family, Michelle changed course on her career path and started directing films.
In the meantime, J.K. left the theater and was navigating a successful career in TV and film.
It wasn’t until 1994, when Simmons was approaching 40, that he even considered screen acting. His decision to audition for television was financial.
TV provided a steadier paycheck in the form of residuals. He made the move for money, but not riches.
In his career as a screen actor, the 68-year-old has appeared in over 200 film and television roles. He also has an extensive portfolio of voice-acting gigs.
Did you know that J.K. Simmons is the voice of the yellow M&M? Let’s not forget his iconic role as J. Jonah Jameson in the ‘Spider-Man’ franchise.
In 2014, he landed a role in the film ‘Whiplash,’ alongside Miles Teller as the lead character.
J.K. played a music instructor who uses fear and intimidation to push an ambitious jazz student to his limit.
The role was a revival for the Michigan native’s career. His supporting role in the film garnered him an impressive collection of awards, including an Oscar.
In his memorable and impactful Oscar speech, the actor paid tribute to those closest to him.
Instead of thanking everyone who had ever worked on ‘Whiplash’ by name, he focused on his family, especially his wife, and parents.
"I am grateful every day for the most remarkable person I know: my wife, the wonderful Michelle Schumacher," J.K. announced.
"I'm grateful for your love, your kindness, your wisdom, your sacrifice, and your patience," he added.
The actor went on to say that everyone who was watching was lucky if they had parents who were still alive.
The actor’s call to show our parents some love resonated with many.
J.K. told reporters that he was taken aback by the response he received from all the strangers, but he meant it in the best way possible.
The actor didn’t think his speech would have made such an impact.
Schumacher explained they had both lost their fathers, and Simmons' mother passed away shortly before the award ceremony, so the speech was really sentimental to him.
It was his first Oscar and he couldn’t share the celebrations with the two people that he wanted to make proud.
Then, in 2017, the couple worked together once again, but this time, Michelle was in the director’s chair.
Working with your spouse might sound like asking for trouble, but J.K. said showing up to his wife’s movie set felt natural.
'I'm Not Here,’ features Simmons as an aging alcoholic named Steve.
The plot reflects on the struggles and trauma of his life and how they made him the isolated soul he is now.
The Screen Actors Guild Award winner has no lines in this film.
Schumacher and her writing partner, Tony Cummings penned the script specifically with Simmons in mind.
For J.K. the challenge of playing a role with no dialogue was a little icing on the cake in his list of accomplished roles.
Family is at the heart of ‘I’m Not Here.’ The film explores intergenerational dynamics.
According to the director and screenwriter, the goal was to get people to slow down and pay attention to their lives and their loved ones.
Making the film was truly a family affair. Daughter Olivia appeared in the background during a bar scene while son Joe lent a hand in scoring.
Schumacher’s brother, Randle, contributed as well and was a producer for the film.
There’s also a too-important-to-spoil plot line derived from a near-disaster the family once had.
As for the storyline’s quiet, romantic moments — they’re inspired by the couple’s love story.
We are so glad that Simmons changed his mind about having a wife and children! The star’s happiness and peace truly lie in his family.
While his work is meaningful to him, the actor makes sure he has enough time for his family.
You may be wondering what life is like in this household. Well, it’s all pretty low-key and very wholesome.
According to J.K., a typical Sunday starts at noon, and that goes for the whole family because they’re all night owls.
His brunch meal of choice is turkey and avocado with eggs. By evening time, depending on what the kids are doing, it’s time to watch movies together as a family.
After 27 years of marriage, J.K. Simmons and Michelle Schumacher are still going strong! Their meet-cute could have been the basis of a rom-com!
The actor and his director wife know when to separate work and family, and even after more than two decades, they’re still playful and caring toward one another.
Oh, and they make movies together. Did someone say, “couple goals?”