J.K. Simmons, the winner of Best Supporting Actor from Oscar, received a mosaic portrait made of M&M’s peanut and M&M’s milk chocolate candies.
He’s been the voice of the Yellow M&M’s candy in commercials for nearly 20 years, according to a company press release. Simmons earned the Best Supporting Actor award for his role as a music teacher with an intense attitude and mean streak in the film “Whiplash.”
Simmons 60-year-old, according to The Detroit News, grew up on the east side in the 8 Mile and Mack area and didn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps career-wise.
His father was a general music teacher at Parcells Junior High in Grosse Pointe. “But once I got off to college I realized I really liked music, singing in choirs, writing music, conducting, so I ended up getting my degree in music performance. Thought I might be Leonard Bernstein when I grew up,” Simmons told the News. “Took a couple of left turns and here we are.”
“It’s where I grew up,” Simmons said. “and we’re going to shoot in Detroit during baseball season, so I’ll get to go to Tigers games. There’s a lot to like about (making) this movie.”
