J.K. Simmons reveals he was a mall Santa before starring in Netflix'sKlaus

In Netflixs upcoming animated Christmas movieKlaus,J.K.

Simmonsbrings a new version of Santa Claus to life.

I was obviously a wannabe actor at the time, fresh out of college, Simmons tells EW.

I have no recollection of how that ended up happening, what unfortunate set of circumstances led to that.

This was way before I had kids, he says.

At least in my case.

Just the mental and emotional toll that it exacted.

I did not take my mall Santa experience into the recording booth with me at all, he says.

I was attracted to this idea based on the script and the familiarity of Klaus, that character.

But its a very different take on it that I found really appealing.

Klaus (Simmons), is hiding out.

Klausarrives in theaters Nov. 8 and on Netflix Nov. 15.