75-Year-Old Richard Simmons Says He’s Happy Amid Pauly Shore Biopic Drama
If you worked out in the ’80s, you likely knew who Richard Simmons was. His exciting personality and manageable workouts quickly catapulted him to fitness fame. However, years later in 2014, he seemingly disappeared. Fans wondered where he went and if he was okay. In 2020, he briefly reappeared to upload some of his old workout videos to YouTube, to help people stay in shape at home during the pandemic, then whoosh, he was gone again.
Simmons is now 75 years old and while he still stays out of the spotlight, he has given a few updates to fans in recent years. His disappearance was so shocking that TMZ actually created a documentary about it last year called TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons. The special speculated that problems with his knees made him take a step back from his career and made him crave a quieter life. After the documentary aired, Simmons himself shared a short and sweet sentiment, and his rep, Tom Estey spoke with the press.
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Estey said in a statement, “Richard is eternally grateful for the continuous outpouring of love and gratitude he has received from across the Globe. He is happy, healthy and living the life he has chosen to live,” while Simmons wrote on Facebook, “Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and love. Love, Richard.” The documentary and following messages helped to clear up some of the wild rumors that have come up over the years, including that Simmons was being held hostage at home by his housekeeper. He refuted those claims via phone to The TODAY Show in 2016.
Fans were happy and relieved to hear that Simmons is doing well and sent him messages of gratitude on Facebook for helping them to get into fitness years ago. Simmons’ 1988 video Sweatin’ To The Oldies was once the biggest-selling home fitness video of all time and he went on to create cookbooks and promote products on infomercials. Simmons also ran his own gym for a while. His workouts were accessible to people of all fitness levels, his bedazzled outfits were fun, and his happiness was contagious.
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Simmons, who once said that he has always been more of an introvert, is now enjoying a quiet life in retirement at his home in the Hollywood Hills. However, Simmons was forced to give another statement recently after actor Pauly Shore released a statement about starring in a biopic about Simmons. Simmons clapped back and said that he has not approved a biopic and is not involved in any way. After some back and forth with Shore, Simmons has been more active on his Facebook page.
Remind He wrote, “Hi Everybody! I wanted you all to know that I am fine and I am happy. I have had a lot of people ask me for interviews. But right now I don’t want to do them. It is a gray and rainy day here in Los Angeles, but my heart is filled with your kindness towards me. Love, Richard.” He previously shared, “Hi Everybody! 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. Thank you for all your love and support.”
If you’re interested in watching the documentary, you can watch it on Hulu or Tubi.
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