J.K. Simmons was one of the artists to leave the Oscars as recipients, but what distinguished him from the others was probably his family centered speech. Simmons was awarded for his breathtaking role as Professor Fletcher in genius drama Whiplash.
Simmons was nominated in the category for Best Actor – in a Supporting Role along with Robert Duvall (The Judge), Ethan Hawke (Boyhood), Edward Norton (Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) and Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher). Of all, probably the most threatening was Edward Norton, with his flabbergasting, fast-paced and witty role in Birdman, but J.K. Simmons maintained his leading position, gained with previous awards.
In Whiplash, J.K. Simmons played the part of harsh Professor Fletcher, who was used to pushing his students above the limits, as he himself confesses to drum prodigy Andrew, played by Miles Teller. His behavior in most of the picture is perceived as unacceptable, his influence being a major one for adolescent students, with a shocking example presented in Whiplash. The bottom line of his character is that he abhors two single words: ‘’Good job!’’ Ironically enough, he gets to utter the words to devoted and passionate drummer Andrew.
And now we pass it on to you: Good job, Mister Simons, for both your part and your Oscar acceptance speech! Kissing his wife when hearing the great news was only the prelude of his family focused discourse and his steady walk towards the podium proved that J.K. Simmons can easily become his character, Professor Fletcher. Thanking the people involved in the making of Whiplash was his first move and then he moved to the more familiar side of gratitude and thus thanked his wife, ‘’the most remarkable person (he) knows.’’: ‘’I’m grateful for your love, your kindness, your wisdom, your sacrifice and your patience; which brings me to the above-average children—even though I may try their patience more.’’ Furthermore, Simmons characterizes his children as ‘’extraordinary humans being’’, funnily adding that they are the reflection of their mother.
His family-centered and heartfelt speech, which gradually increased in intensity, with the mentioning of his wife and children, worked as a message for the entire world. J. K. Simmons emphasized that the strongest and the only unbreakable liaison of a being is the one created with his/her parents and that nobody should forget thanking them anytime: ‘’ Call your mom, call your dad. If you’re lucky enough to have a parent or two alive on this planet, call ‘em. Don’t text. Don’t email. Call them on the phone. Tell ‘em you love ‘em, and thank them, and listen to them for as long as they want to talk to you. Thank you. Thank you, Mom and Dad.’’