J.K. Simmons plays a fantastic stern dad, something Stephen Colbert brought up on The Late Show. Simmons attributes often playing stoic authority figures to having a bald head and low voice. From Juno to The Legend of Korra, the character actor has delivered teaching advice to young girls like, “the right person is still going to think the sun shines out your ass” and “the Avatar State is not to be used as a booster rocket.”
“Anytime a stern father praises you in any way, it means twice as much,” Colbert says as the two proceed to give the audience compliments the only way an emotionally-stunted father-figure can with gems like “Look, I want you to know I was wrong. I hear hacky-sack is a sport.” I could almost cry. Also, if you’re wondering what’s up with the sea-captain look, Simmons explains he adopted the beard and physique for I’m Not Here, which was co-written and directed by his wife, Michelle Schumacher.
Simmons also talked briefly about his co-existence within the Marvel Universe as J. Jonah Jameson and his upcoming role in Justice League as Commissioner Gordon. He mentions his approach to JJJ was just “to rip off the pages of the comic books,” but he has to still figure out what his take on Gordon will be considering he’s seen so many actors play him.
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