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J.K. Simmons was reluctant to appear in “Being the Ricardos.” But reading Aaron Sorkin’s script, “I was able to see the gift that Aaron was giving to each of the actors.”

It’s a gift exchange: Simmons is so versatile and talented that he brings gifts to any filmmaker he works with.

Oscar voting runs Jan. 27-Feb. 1. Simmons has been getting some awards buzz, but deserves more: As an actor, he has the blessing/curse of always making it look easy so he’s sometimes taken for granted. But with “Ricardos,” as with everything else, he seems so perfect that you can’t imagine anyone else playing the part. He’s definitely a supporting-actor contender.

Simmons and Sorkin go back to 1990, when the actor was an understudy in the Broadway production of Sorkin’s breakthrough “A Few Good Men.” When Simmons stepped into the role, a producer urged Sorkin to come watch.

Alan Filderman has his own casting company, Alan Filderman Casting. His Broadway credits include the musicals "Once on This Island," "Grey Gardens," and "Marie Christine," and the play "33 Variations," starring Jane Fonda. His Off-Broadway work includes the current Transport Group revival of Mart Crowley's "The Boys in the Band," "Langston in Harlem," William Finn and James Lapine's "A New Brain," "From the Mississippi Delta," "Sin," "Listen to My Heart," "Here Lies Jenny," "Miss Evers' Boys," Edward Albee's "Three Tall Women," "Song of Singapore," Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens' "Dessa Rose," "The Sum of Us," and "A Beautiful Thing." He has worked in regional theaters across the United States and on the films "Ice Age," "Broadway Damage," and "Anastasia."Pleasing the GodsThere are no rules. If there were rules, everybody would follow them and everybody would be a star. An actor can come in and audition, and...