J.K. Simmons says his favourite video game role is Portal 2: "I could have done the feature film"

August 1, 2026 - 07:49

J.K. Simmons has voiced characters in plenty of video games over the years, from a corrupt police chief in L.A. Noire to the stern father figure in the Batman Arkham series. But when asked which one stands out, the Oscar winner does not hesitate: Portal 2.

In a recent interview, Simmons said the 2011 puzzle classic is his favorite gaming project, and he even joked that the role of Cave Johnson, the eccentric and long-dead CEO of Aperture Science, could have carried a feature film. "I could have done the feature film," he said with a laugh, referring to the character's memorable monologues and over-the-top personality.

What makes the admission more interesting is that Simmons has never actually played the games he has voiced. He says he has no idea what Portal 2 looks like in motion, and he has never picked up a controller to try it. That has not stopped him from appreciating the writing, though. He praised the script for being sharp, funny, and unlike anything else he had worked on.

Fans of the game will remember Cave Johnson as the voice that guides players through the old testing chambers, ranting about lemons and promising a car made of them. Simmons delivered those lines with a mix of charm and madness that turned a minor role into one of the most quoted parts of the game.

Even without playing it, Simmons understands why the role stuck with him. He said the material was so strong that it felt less like voice work and more like acting in a dark comedy. And while he is not sure if a Portal movie will ever happen, he is clearly open to the idea, as long as the script is as good as the game.