J.K. Simmons has revealed his secret to a successful 28-year marriage to his wife Michelle Schumacher.

The 69-year-old actor has been married to the 58-year-old Broadway actor, singer and dancer since 1996.

He opened up about what makes their relationship tick to People magazine on Monday evening at the New York City premiere of new film Red One.

J.K. said: ‘Be nice. Be on the nice list.’

J.K. Simmons has revealed his secret to a successful 28-year marriage to his wife Michelle Schumacher; the couple are seen together in Berlin last week

Read More Lucy Liu dazzles in plunging gown alongside leggy Kiernan Shipka at star-studded Red One premiere

Then he gave the most important bit of advice as he followed it up by saying: ‘And listen.’

He went on to explain that keeping an open ear has set the foundation for a strong marriage.

The Spider-Man star said: ‘None of us do that all the time and it’s still a work in progress with me, but try to listen, try to really listen.’

The two have enjoyed a decade-and-a-half of marital bliss and share two children: son Joe, 25, and 22-year-old daughter Olivia.

J.K. and Michelle met in 1991 after the actress had joined the same musical production of Peter Pan as the actor who portrayed baddie Captain Hook.

In May, the Juno actor talked about the first time he met his wife at the Florida theater.

He told People: ‘I rented a car. I don’t know where I was going but I was just leaving the parking lot, and I saw our dance captain walking with this beautiful, peтιтe blonde.

‘I just tried my best not to be the idiot who’s craning his neck leering at this beautiful young woman.’

The 69-year-old actor has been married to the 58-year-old Broadway actor, singer and dancer since 1996; as they are pictured together in New York on Sunday

The two have enjoyed a decade-and-a-half of marital bliss and share two children: son Joe, 25, and 22-year-old daughter Olivia (pictured)

The trio were joined by Michelle’s son from a previous relationship Randle Schumacher at the premiere in Berlin earlier this month

J.K. ultimately made the first move in a bit of an embarrᴀssing way as he went into her dressing room to wish her luck.

He explained: ‘I knocked and [she said] “Come in.” She was, like most dancers, dressed in her dance underwear.

‘I tried to be Mr. Cool and wish her a good show and I turned around and made my smooth exit by hugely stubbing my big toe on the door of her dressing room, squealing like a 4-year-old.’

Despite the blunder, it all worked out between the two as J.K joked: ‘Somehow, she still found me attractive.’

The Whiplash actor told People that much later Michelle had revealed that she had a crush on him when they came across each other in a parking lot.

He explained: ‘Much, much, much later, Michelle told me that she had said, “Oh, who’s that?”

‘The dance captain had said, “Oh, that’s J.K. He’s straight. He’s our Captain Hook.”‘

J.K.’s daughter Olivia joined her dad at the New York premiere on Monday

J.K. portrays Santa Claus in the film Red One as he stars alongside a star-studded cast including Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Chris Evans, and Lucy Liu

The film is centered around his character AKA Red One who is kidnapped, the North Pole’s Head of Security (Johnson) must team up with the world’s most infamous bounty hunter Evans) in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas

The Jake Kasdan directed film hits theaters in the US this Friday, November 15

J.K. portrays Santa Claus in the film Red One as he stars alongside a star-studded cast including Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Chris Evans, and Lucy Liu.

The film is centered around his character AKA Red One who is kidnapped, the North Pole’s Head of Security (Johnson) must team up with the world’s most infamous bounty hunter Evans) in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas.

The Jake Kasdan directed film hits theaters in the US this Friday, November 15.