Richard Simmons issued a rare statement regarding a rumored upcoming biopic about his life, saying he never authorized the project.
The 75-year-old fitness personality disappeared from public life in 2014, leaving fans to speculate about what he’s been up to in the decade since then. Simmons rarely makes public appearances or statements, but the buzz about the rumored film project starring Pauly Shore was enough to encourage the “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” star to speak out.
“Hi Everybody!” Simmons shared on his X account on Wednesday. “You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read. I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist.”
“I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful,” he added. “Thank you for all your love and support.”
Shore posted a teaser clip of the short film, “The Court Jester,” which will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday, January 19. The actor went on to explain how he’s planning to be involved in the longer biopic that he hopes will begin filming as early as this summer.
“If I get the opportunity to star in a Richard Simmons biopic I will deliver because I take things very seriously,” Shore shared on Instagram. “I will immerse myself in the body, soul and spirit of Richard Simmons.”
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He continued, “Richard, if you’re watching, nothing but love, brother, nothing but love. And let’s see if we can do this, we can merge our forces and we can bring a beautiful, beautiful piece for the people to see and we can spread your word.”
Milton Teagle “Richard” Simmons began his public career by opening his gym, Slimmons, in Beverly Hills California after successfully losing 100 pounds. He became nationally recognized thanks to the aerobics workout programs, “Sweatin’ to the Oldies,” which premiered in the late 1980s.
Simmons was known for his over-the-top, energetic and flamboyant personality. His fans and followers were extremely concerned when the fitness star disappeared from the public eye in 2014, with some going as far as speculating that Simmons had been kidnapped.
A podcast called “Missing Richard Simmons” and a 2022 documentary called “TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons” both explored this topic.
In response, Simmons issued a brief statement, “Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and love! Love, Richard.”
