Feb 23, 2015: JK Simmons has won the Oscars for the best actor in a supporting role for Whiplash.
Simmons plays a jazz band instructor who uses humiliation, fear and cruelty to motivate his students - especially Miles Teller, who co-stars as an ambitious aspiring jazz drummer.
It was the first Oscar nomination for Simmons, 60, a longtime character actor. He also won the Golden Globe in January.
The other nominees were Robert Duvall, The Judge; Ethan Hawke, Boyhood; Edward Norton, Birdman; and Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher.
The 87th Academy Awards are airing live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris.15: JK Simmons wins best supporting actor for Whiplash.
Patricia Arquette has won the Academy Award for best supporting actress for Boyhood.
Arquette plays the mother of Ellar Coltrane’s Mason in Richard Linklater’s sweeping look at a boy’s life, filmed over 12 years.
It was the first Oscar for Arquette. She also won the Golden Globe in January.
The other nominees were Laura Dern, "Wild"; Keira Knightley, "The Imitation Game"; Emma Stone, "Birdman"; and Meryl Streep, "Into the Woods."