JK Simmons says he’s trying to stay on wife Michelle Schumacher’s “nice list.”

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 16:00

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 16:00

JK Simmons says the secret to his long-lasting marriage to Michelle Schumacher is the art of listening.

The 69-year-old star of ‘Red One’ has been married to the 58-year-old film director, with whom she has son Joe, 25, and daughter Olivia, 22, for almost three decades and tied the knot in 1996. There is a tip to maintain a happy marriage.

At the premiere of his new Christmas movie in New York City this week, in which he plays Santa Claus, he told PEOPLE his advice is: “Be kind. Be on the nice list. And listen.”

But the ‘Whiplash’ star insists it’s not always easy to listen.

He said: “None of us do this all the time, and it’s still a work in progress for me, but try to listen, really try to listen.”

Simmons recently recalled the first time he laid eyes on “beautiful, petite blonde” Michelle while working on a production of “Peter Pan” in 1991.

The ‘Jennifer’s Body’ actor didn’t want to make a fool of himself by ‘looking sideways’ at her.

He told the publication: “I rented a car. I don’t know where I was going, but I was pulling out of the parking lot and I saw our dance captain walking with this beautiful, petite blonde.

“I did my best not to be a fool who stuck his neck out and glared at this beautiful young woman.”

Turns out she likes him too.

Recalling an awkward encounter she had in the dressing room while in her dance underwear, she shared: “I knocked on the door and (she) said, ‘Come in.’ Like most dancers, she wore dance underwear.

“I tried to be Mr. Cool and wished him a good show and turned around and made my smooth exit, thumping my thumb massively on the locker room door, squealing like a four-year-old.”

“Somehow he still found me attractive,” laughed Simmons.

He recalled: “Much, much, much later Michelle asked me, ‘Oh, who is that?’ he said.

“The dance captain said: ‘Oh, that’s JK. He’s straight. He’s our Captain Hook.”