Few actors can turn the essence of frustration into pure fascination, and J.K. Simmons has a knack for doing just that. Whether it’s the world of high-pressure music schools, bustling newsrooms, or animated galaxies far from home, Simmons expertly portrays characters who demand attention, no matter how infuriating they may be. As an esteemed actor who can embody some of the most unlikable personas in film and television, Simmons’s controversial on-screen appearances have never failed to entertain, fascinate, and one-up the other competing roles in pursuit of attention and shock.
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Simmons’ performances often tap into an uncanny dreamscape in which he leverages his ability to provide fans with a fascinating peek into the mind of a cruel, heartless individual. This unique talent has cemented the Michigan-born actor in the “love-to-hate” Hall of Fame. His characters often walk a fine line between being outright detestable and oddly compelling, leaving audiences torn between disdain and admiration. From the climactic Whiplash ending to Omni-Man’s terrifying character development in Invincible, Simmons has never failed to keep the bar high for stunningly executed performances, expertly playing the role of someone you can’t stand but can’t stop watching.
8 Terence Fletcher
Whiplash (2014)
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Simmons gives a career-defining performance in Whiplash, earning himself a spot as one of the 10 best movie villains of the 2010s, according to Reddit. The epitome of a sadistic mentor presents himself as a jazz instructor who uses fear, humiliation, and psychological warfare to push his students to their emotional limits. Fletcher believes that greatness is born out of adversity, even if it may cost an individual their mental health. He throws chairs across the room and executes some of the most humiliating abuse a teacher could possibly be capable of.
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Fletcher wields his authority like a weapon, breaking down his students to see who will rise from the ashes. What makes Fletcher so infuriating is his zealous loyalty to perhaps one of the most trauma-inducing, evil styles of teaching. He genuinely believes his cruelty is a necessary catalyst for sparking true artistry. This unrelenting passion for the craft is driven by Simmons with such intensity and integrity that it’s impossible not to be drawn into his twisted logic. The character’s tyrannical demeanor fueled by Simmons’ powerhouse performance makes Fletcher equally appalling and mesmerizing.
7 J. Jonah Jameson
Spider-Man Trilogy
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Portraying the cigar-chomping editor of the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson is the quintessential tyrannical boss. In Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, Jameson spends his time slandering Spider-Man, turning every heroic act by the web-slinger into a negatively portrayed scandal. Simmons embodies Jameson’s personal nature with an over-the-top arrogance that borders on comedic genius, yet the character’s relentless negativity makes him incredibly frustrating to watch. He’s a man who refuses to acknowledge goodness, constantly spinning his own web of lies to fit a calculated narrative.
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Despite his unlikable qualities, Jameson is an unforgettable character who is undoubtedly also a lot of fun to watch. Simmons brings a level of energy and wit to his role which makes it impossible to look away, even in troubled times when Jameson’s actions are disheartening to think about. Whether treating his staff awfully or demanding Spider-Man to unmask himself, Jameson’s antics present themselves with an intriguing duality. This is a prime example of Simmons mastering the ultimate love-to-hate character, proving that even the most unlikable figures can steal the spotlight and run with it.
6 Dr. Emil Skoda
Law & Order (1990-Present)
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Dr. Emil Skoda is the smug psychiatrist from Law & Order, yet another Simmons creation that gets under audiences’ skin. Skoda isn’t a physical threat who employs brute force; his condescending demeanor and psychological harshness make him deeply aggravating. Speaking and acting with an air of superiority, the doctor’s cocky approaches to psychiatric treatment are tiring on their own. Yet Skoda is an integral part of the Law & Order series.
His compelling nature is further emphasized by the subtlety of Simmons’ performance. Seldom having to rely on dramatic outbursts or traditional villainous acts, Simmons leaves a lasting mark on Law & Order, leaning into the psychiatrist’s intellectual smugness and complex moral scope to create a figure that wholeheartedly embodies aspects of quiet control and unshakable confidence. Watching Skoda is like trying to argue with someone who always thinks they’re the smartest person in the room — it’s infuriating, but you can’t stop trying to prove them wrong. Overall, an equally enraging and story-wise great addition to Law & Order.
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5 Captain Matt McKenna
21 Bridges (2019)
At first, Captain Matt McKenna is all about justice, mourning his fallen officers and promising swift action. Unfortunately, his upright facade is nothing more than a smokescreen that later dissipates to reveal the corrupt captain’s true colors. By the time his deceit is revealed, it’s hard not to feel a deep sense of betrayal — not just by McKenna, but by the system he represents. With the ironic ability to justify his obscene actions with a straight face, McKenna doesn’t see himself as a villain — he believes his corruption is a necessary evil to deal with a broken system.
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Simmons’ portrayal makes it all the more aggravating, giving McKenna the perfect balance of authority and underhanded cunning. The actor delivers scenes with an unnerving calmness that contradicts his moments of anger. Meanwhile, at climactic moments, he’s deftly orchestrating cover-ups or throwing others under the bus. It’s the subtle performance that adds layers to McKenna’s nature, making him less of a caricature and more of a reflection of real-world corruption. By the end of 21 Bridges, McKenna is also the character audiences love to hate — detestable to the core, impossible to ignore.
4 Mac MacGuff
Juno (2007
In Juno, Simmons takes on the role of Mac MacGuff, the laid-back and somewhat clueless father of Juno. While not as overtly menacing as his prior characters, Mac’s casual approach to parenting can be frustrating in unsaid ways, with everyday quiet moments speaking at contrasting loud volumes. Given the gravity of Juno’s situation, MacGuff’s attempts to lighten the mood can come across as tone-deaf. His reluctance to take things seriously is ironic, especially considering his potential to step up as a supportive figure. It’s hard to feel bad for the guy, but it’s easy to stay hooked, waiting for his next move.
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Despite these flaws, Simmons brings a flickering warmth to the character, softly preventing Mac from becoming an entirely unlikable figure. MacGuff’s charm cushions some of the frustration thanks to Simmons’ more endearing traits popping out in this role, even leaving one wondering all that was in Whiplash. A relatable figure even when falling short as a parent, Mac MacGuff exists as a testament to the true challenge of being a functional parent. Flawed but ultimately human, Simmons shows audiences that it sometimes hurts a lot more to be disappointed in a good person than to be disgusted by a bad one.
3 Dr. Hal Lerner
The Rewrite
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Dr. Hal Lerner might seem like a harmless professor at first, but it doesn’t take long before his relentless enthusiasm morphs into nails on a chalkboard. Performed with more unnerving dedication to the acting craft, Simmons; Lerner is the kind of guy who’s just a bit too eager to share each detail of his picture-perfect family life. Every conversation circles back to his wife and four daughters as if they’re the only thing worth talking about. It’s sweet in theory, but in practice, it’s the verbal equivalent of being stuck in a never-ending PTA meeting.
Lerner’s obsession with his family isn’t the only thing that makes him slightly unbearable to watch while remaining captivated — it’s how blissfully unaware he is of how annoying he can be. Simmons leans into this overbearing charm, rendering a character that means well yet manages to dominate every scene with his nauseating energy. He’s not out to hurt anyone, but sometimes the things that come out of Lerner’s mouth make it seem like he is blatantly oblivious of how exhausting he can be. Simmons turns Lerner into that lovable nuisance you hate to love — and love to hate.
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2 Milton Berle
Saturday Night (2024)
Milton Berle is the quintessential self-absorbed showman, the kind of character who must own every room he enters, convinced of his brilliance and past achievements. Berle’s arrogance and over-the-top antics make him a polarizing figure, but Simmons plays him with such flair that it’s impossible to ignore him. From his disgusting ego-driven power play of an interaction with young Chevy Chase to the equally arrogant way he opens up his television show, Berle’s larger-than-life personality is drunk off self-greed. He wants everything and more, offering an eerie index on the minds of the powerful.
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Simmons’ ability to lean into Berle’s character flaws without overplaying them is what makes him so memorable in the 2024 biopic Saturday Night. He’s a trainwreck who, unfortunately, naturally draws attention to himself, embodying the kind of ego that’s equal parts entertaining and exhausting. Simmons’ entire performance is another masterclass in subtlety, with Berle’s few appearances in Saturday Night holding some of the most weight in the whole film, which is ironic considering that Milton Berle was also banned from SNL.
1 Omni-Man
Invincible (2021-Present)
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Out of all the hateable characters in Simmons’ realm, there are none like Omni-Man, the genocidal alien from the animated series Invincible. A Superman-like figure with a dark secret, Omni-Man is one of Simmons’ most nail-biting roles. Starting out as a hero, Omni-Man’s true nature as a conqueror bent on dominating Earth quickly emerges, leaving little room for a what-could-have-been category. Omni-Man is blatantly evil. He’s a bad alien and his moral complexity and terrifying ruthlessness make him one of the most detestable figures in Simmons’ repertoire, as well as one of the scariest, conceptually.
The depth Simmons brings to this role really sets Omni-Man apart from his other unlikable ventures, without even portraying the actor physically on-screen. Simmons’ voice performance captures the character’s cold, calculated menace while paying homage to his twisted sense of duty. Omni-Man’s actions are horrifying, and Simmons’ portrayal ensures that he remains a compelling and multifaceted antagonist. It’s a role that leaves a lasting impression, showcasing Simmons’ ability to bring depth to even the most evil of characters. Out of all the unlikable roles J. K. Simmons has taken on, Omni-Man certainly takes the cake for most menacing.
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J. K. Simmons
Notable Projects Whiplash , La La Land