Jonathan Kimble Simmons, an American actor, was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. His parents, Patricia Kimble and Donald William Simmons, were an administrator and a music teacher, respectively. Simmons attended the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music.
Initially, Simmons planned to pursue a career as a singer and studied at the University of Montana to become a composer. However, he shifted his focus to acting and began his stage career, starring as Captain Hook and Mr. Darling in the Broadway and touring revivals of Peter Pan, opposite gymnastics champion Cathy Rigby.
Simmons' Broadway credits include playing Benny South-street in the 1992 revival of Guys and Dolls, for which he can be heard on the cast recording. He also lent his voice to various commercial projects, including the iconic yellow M&M in the candy's television advertisements.
In television, Simmons had a recurring role as police psychiatrist Emil Skoda on Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He has also appeared in numerous films, including five projects with director Sam Raimi: For Love of the Game, The Gift, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, and Spider-Man 3.
Simmons' notable awards and accolades include multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards from 2005 to 2007. In 2014, he won the Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, and in 2015, he received the Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, the BAFTA Film Award for Best Supporting Actor, and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male.
