J.K. Simmons explains buff gym photo, likes to 'stay in decent shape'

LOS ANGELES, June 30 (UPI) -- J.K. Simmons detailed the story behind his internet-famous gym photo, explaining that he was not bulking up for his role as Commissioner Gordon in Justice League.

"This is all coincidental," the actor said to Business Insider of the photo appearing around the same time he was cast as Gordon.

"After the second and final time that I got hugely fat in my life and when I lost that weight six or seven years ago, I pretty much decided that I was going to stay in decent shape for the rest of my life," he continued.

The muscular photo, which surfaced in early June, featured a bearded bulky and ripped Simmons lifting a pair of weights. The image was taken by his trainer Aaron Williamson who noted on Instagram at the time, "Every time we train together I forget he's 61 years old. So much respect for this guy."

Simmons assured Business Insider that his look in the photo is not how he will appear as the DC Comics character. "I'm not going to mess with something that iconic," he said.

"I've gone back and forth with fine-tuning the kind of conditioning I'm doing," the Whiplash star added about his workout regimen. "Sometimes trying to shed weight and getting leaner and sometimes trying to pack on a little more muscle."

Simmons was also amused about all the attention the photo received. "Those were shot at the end of April. I'm huge now!" he joked.