J.K. Simmons: More recognize me from ‘Oz’ than ‘Whiplash’
Jeff Vespa/WireImageActor J.K. Simmons says that more people recognize him from his time on HBO’s ‘Oz’ than they do from his Oscar-winning performance in ‘Whiplash.’
SIMMONS GIVES PEOPLE ‘WHIPLASH’
J.K. Simmons says to know him is to dread him.
The 60-year-ancient character actor told us that when people do recognize him on the streets of New York, it’s not from his Oscar-winning performance as a psychopathic jazz teacher in “Whiplash” last year.
“The first thing I did that was at all in the public eye, other than on stage, was ‘Oz,’ in which I played the head of the Aryan Brotherhood in a maximum-security prison,” he told Confidenti@l at an event in Los Angeles. “So people have always been a little frightened of me, which is okay!”
Simmons, who’s also starred on NBC’s “Law & Order” and TNT’s “The Closer,” says it’s his work as a Farmers Insurance pitchman that attracts the most fanfare today.
“People now recognize me from the insurance commercial,” he said. Indeed, Simmons is well attentive that the audience that saw him pick up his Oscar in February far outnumbers the amount of moviegoers who really saw him earn it.
“Really, a lot more (people recognize him) from the awards than the film itself, because only a million people saw the movie, despite the good reviews,” he said. “So everyone should see ‘Whiplash’ who hasn’t yet. It’s an awesome movie.”
No wonder he got hired as a pitchman.
HALLE DOES HAT TRICK
Halle Berry is perfect in her low-key look of sunglasses and big sun hat. The A-lister went makeup-free on a day out at Disneyland with her kids. She was also wedding-band free, but says don’t worry, she just lost it during a recent trip to Mexico.
Genine Esposito PhotographyPat Dixon’s new radio show ‘New York City Crime Report’ is the latest addition to Anthony Cumia’s podcasting network.
CUMIA HAS NETWORK NEWS IN PODCASTING
After leaving “Opie & Anthony” last April, Former Sirius/XM jock Anthony Cumia is growing a full-fledged podcasting network, perfect with a state-of-the-art studio that just opened in Manhattan. Comedian Pat Dixon’s show “New York City Crime Report” is the latest to join and will be done on location, joining a network with Gavin McInnes, Jay Oakerson and Luis Gomez. “It’s groundbreaking,” Dixon says. “Cumia’s thought of freedom of speech is truly free.” Dixon airs Tuesday at anthonycumia.com.
RIRI-ALLY GOOD LOOK
Rihanna gets the finishing touches on hair and makeup for a late-night shoot at Milk Studios. The singer blew bubbles for the shoot, and later was seen letting out a few yawns after the long, late night —although we think she should be used to that by now.
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesJohn Cena’s pre-match meal: Bacon, mixed-green salads, a rib-eye steak medium rare, a porterhouse medium rare, sautéed broccoli and spinach, and had Caymus Special Selection wine.
NEVER CENA SUCH AN APPETITE
Want to know what John Cena eats at a steakhouse? The pro wrestler strolled in to Benjamin Steakhouse two days in a row recently, once with a pal and then with girlfriend Nikki Bella. “With Nikki, he spent four hours in a corner booth. It was right right before his “WWE Summer Slam” event at Barclays Focal point,” says a spy. “He ate three orders of bacon; two mixed-green salads; a rib-eye steak medium rare, sliced; porterhouse medium rare, sliced; sautéed broccoli and spinach, and had Caymus Special Selection wine.”
THE ‘BROAD’ CAST IS BACK
“Broad City” is back in action. The Comedy Central hit was filming at Galli on the Lower East Side this week, where the show’s stars Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer filmed an argument at the hostess stand, a spy tells Confidenti@l. “The characters were trying to get into the restaurant, but the hostess wouldn’t let them in, and an argument starts,” laughs our spy. We’re told earlier in the day the “Broad City” women filmed a scene where they dropped their apartment keys into a sewer grate and tried to retrieve them.
Bryan Smith/for New York Day after day NewsSteven Gallo and Michael Forrest, of the Galli restaurant where the ‘Broad City’ cast and crew was seen filming.
INSTA-TRAN SENSATION
Karrueche Tran sure knows how to grab more Instagram followers — post a good butt shot. Chris Brown’s gorgeous ex (above) shows him what he’s missing, lounging in the sun in a tiny two-piece. “Vitamin D #ittybittycommittee” is her heading.
SEYFRIED WITH RUFF CROWD
Where’s Amanda Seyfried’s BFF when she needs him? The actress and her ever-present pooch, Finn, hit a dog park, where another little critter decided to let Seyfried know he doesn’t like her work — and promptly irrigated her foot. Seyfried didn’t seem to mind, or notice, as she chatted away with a pal and listened to her ear buds.
MARY KATE’S REIN DATE
John RocaMary Kay Olsen competed at the 40th annual Hampton Classic today in Bridgehampton.
John Roca
In addition to competing, she was also seen getting accurate with husband Olivier Sarkozy.
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Mary-Kate Olsen, clad in riding gear, looks lovey-dovey with husband Olivier Sarkozy at the Hampton Classic Horse Show. MK looked worry-free despite being targeted in a suit against her company with sister Ashley, Dualstar. Several former interns claim they weren’t paid for long hours of menial tasks.
SEEN AND HEARD
Tennis pros Maria Sharapova, John Isner, Monica Puig and actor Kevin James hit the American Prompt “Rally on the River” for the U.S. Open … Derek Jeter at Canoe Studios, welcoming guest editor Caroline Wozniacki for his Players’ Tribune site … Developer Andrew Heiberger and creative guru David Lipman will launch magazine My Town at the West Village’s Town rooftop on Sept. 16. … Pierce Brosnan at Nello on the High East Side.
THEY SAID IT
“I’m 22, I’m going on dates, but I exchange my style every two weeks, let alone who I’m with,” Miley Cyrus to Elle.
“I wouldn’t be seen dead in shorts,” – Helen Mirren
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Day after day News – Gossip
