UM Graduate J.K. Simmons Wins Best Supporting Actor Oscar – Honors Missoula Mother and Father

All of Missoula--and Montana--was cheering Sunday night, as the Academy Award winner for Best Actor in a Supporting Role was announced as University of Montana graduate J.K. Simmons.

Simmons, who won for his role in 'Whiplash,' inspired the entertainment world with his touching plea for everyone to contact their parents.

"Call your mom, everybody...call your mom, call your dad," Simmons said. "If you're lucky enough to have a parent or two alive on this planet, call 'em. Don't text, don't email, call them on the phone and tell 'em you love 'em, and thank them and listen to them as long as they want to talk to you. Thank you...thank you mom and dad."

Simmons was referring to his late parents Don and Pat Simmons of Missoula. Don was a music professor at the University of Montana who passed away in 2012, while his mother Pat Simmons helped to found the popular Out To Lunch In Caras Park program. Simmons was in Missoula last summer to honor his late mother during an Out To Lunch event.