LOS ANGELES » J.K. Simmons has won the Academy Award for best supporting actor for "Whiplash."

Simmons plays a cruel jazz band instructor who berates and humiliates his students, including Miles Teller, who co-stars as an aspiring jazz drummer in Damien Chazelle’s film.

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.