J.K. Simmons and his wife, Michelle Schumacher, have been happily in love for over two decades.
The couple first met in 1991, while appearing in the same musical production of Peter Pan.
“I rented a car. I don’t know where I was going but I was just leaving the parking lot, and I saw our dance captain walking with this beautiful, petite blonde,” Simmons told People in May 2024, recalling the first time he saw Schumacher. “I just tried my best not to be the idiot who’s craning his neck leering at this beautiful young woman.”
Simmons and Schumacher quickly hit it off and ended up tying the knot in 1996. They went on to welcome son Joe in 1999 followed by daughter Olivia in 2002.
In November 2024, Simmons opened up about the secret to his successful 28-year marriage.
“Be nice. Be on the nice list,” he told People at the time. “And listen, none of us do that all the time and it’s still a work in progress with me, but try to listen — try to really listen.”
Keep scrolling to learn more about Simmons and Schumacher’s relationship:
1991
Simmons and Schumacher met on the same musical production of Peter Pan. After seeing Schumacher while driving by in his car, Simmons visited her dressing room to “wish her a good show.”
“I knocked and [she said] ‘Come in.’ She was, like most dancers, dressed in her dance underwear,” Simons recalled to People in May 2024. “I tried to be Mr. Cool and wish her a good show and I turned around and made my smooth exit by hugely stubbing my big toe on the door of her dressing room, squealing like a 4-year-old. Somehow, she still found me attractive.”
1996
The couple tied the knot.
1999
Simmons and Schumacher welcomed their first child, son Joe.
2002
The pair welcomed their second child, daughter Olivia.
2014
Simmons and Schumacher attended the Los Angeles premiere of Whiplash, which Simmons starred in as Miles Teller’s abusive music instructor, Terence Fletcher.
2015
Schumacher appeared alongside Simmons at the 2015 Academy Awards where he took home the Oscar for Best Supporting actor for his performance in Whiplash.
2019
The pair attended the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s panel for the film I’m Not Here.
2021
Schumacher and Simmons walked the red carpet at the premiere of Being the Ricardos.
November 2024
Olivia Simmons, J. K. Simmons and Michelle Schumacher Nicole Kubelka/Future Image/Cover Images
Simmons made a rare comment about the secret to his long marriage.
“Be nice. Be on the nice list. And listen,” he told People.
