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'''Milton Teagle Simmons''' (July 12, 1948),<ref name=Birth/> known professionally as '''Richard Simmons''', is an ] ] ] who promotes weight-loss programs, most famously through his Sweatin' to the Oldies line of ] videos and DVDs and is known for his eccentric, outgoing personality. Simmons began his career opening a gym (Slimmons in Beverly Hills, CA) catering to the overweight, and he became widely known through exposure on television and through the popularity of his consumer products. He became a striking cultural icon, often parodied, and a frequent guest of late night television ] such as '']''. Today, Simmons continues his life-long mission of promoting health and has broadened his activities to include political activism, notably in support of a bill mandating non-competitive physical education in public schools as a part of the "No Child Left Behind" act. <ref>http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=6038493</ref> '''Milton Teagle Simmons''' (July 12, 1948),<ref name=Birth/> known professionally as '''Richard Simmons''', is an ] ] ] who promotes weight-loss programs, most famously through his Sweatin' to the Oldies line of ] videos and DVDs and is known for his eccentric, outgoing personality. Simmons began his career opening a gym (Slimmons in Beverly Hills, CA) catering to the overweight, and he became widely known through exposure on television and through the popularity of his consumer products. He became a striking cultural icon, often parodied, and a frequent guest of late night television ] such as '']''. Today, Simmons continues his life-long mission of promoting health and has broadened his activities to include political activism, notably in support of a bill mandating non-competitive physical education in public schools as a part of the "No Child Left Behind" act. <ref>http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=6038493</ref> <ref>http://www.publicschoolinsights.org/kids-arent-well-rounded-theyre-justrounded</ref>
==Early life== ==Early life==

Revision as of 21:18, 15 February 2010

For other people named Richard Simmons, see Richard Simmons (disambiguation). "Sweatin' to the Oldies" redirects here. For The Vandals album, see Sweatin' to the Oldies: The Vandals Live.
Richard Simmons
Richard Simmons, August 15, 2007
BornMilton Teagle Simmons
(1948-07-12) July 12, 1948 (age 76)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
OccupationPhysical fitness expert
Years active1974 – present
Height5 ft 6.5 in (1.69 m)
Websitewww.RichardSimmons.com

Milton Teagle Simmons (July 12, 1948), known professionally as Richard Simmons, is an American fitness personality who promotes weight-loss programs, most famously through his Sweatin' to the Oldies line of aerobics videos and DVDs and is known for his eccentric, outgoing personality. Simmons began his career opening a gym (Slimmons in Beverly Hills, CA) catering to the overweight, and he became widely known through exposure on television and through the popularity of his consumer products. He became a striking cultural icon, often parodied, and a frequent guest of late night television talk shows such as The Late Show With David Letterman. Today, Simmons continues his life-long mission of promoting health and has broadened his activities to include political activism, notably in support of a bill mandating non-competitive physical education in public schools as a part of the "No Child Left Behind" act.

Early life

Richard Simmons was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Simmons was raised Catholic and in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended Cor Jesu High School (now Brother Martin High School). He was obese throughout his adolescence and by the time he graduated from high school, he weighed 268 pounds.

His first job, in New Orleans, was selling pralines at Leah's. After starting college at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, he transferred to Florida State University. While enrolled there, he studied as an exchange student in Florence, Italy. He graduated with a BA in Art. After graduation, Simmons moved to New York City where he worked in advertising, as a waiter, and for cosmetics companies Revlon and Coty Cosmetics.

Fitness career

Upon moving to Los Angeles in the 1970s, Simmons worked as the Maître d' at Derek's, a restaurant in Beverly Hills. He developed an interest in fitness, but was dissatisfied with the unhealthy fad diet methods and the established gyms and exercise studios of the day which favored the already fit customer. It was his interest in fitness that helped him lose 123 lb (56 kg).

Simmons later opened his own exercise studio, originally called The Anatomy Asylum, where emphasis was placed on healthy eating in proper portions and enjoyable exercise. The business originally included a salad bar restaurant called "Ruffage," (the name a pun on the word Roughage), though it was eventually removed as the focus of the Asylum shifted solely to exercise. Now called Slimmons, the establishment continues operations in Beverly Hills, and Simmons teaches motivational classes and aerobics throughout the week.

Media appearances

With his health club a success, Simmons began to draw media attention, beginning with an appearance on the television show Real People where he was shown at work. He introduced customers whom he had helped to lose weight. He later made guest appearances on the celebrity game shows Win, Lose or Draw and Nickelodeon's Figure It Out.

Positive viewer reaction landed Simmons a recurring role as himself on the American soap opera General Hospital , over a four-year period. This in turn led to further media notoriety, as well as personal appearances in shopping malls, where he taught exercise classes. In the early 1980s, Simmons hosted two shows; Slim Cookin, and an Emmy Award winning talk show, The Richard Simmons Show, in which he focused on personal health, fitness, exercise, and healthy cooking.

Simmons has appeared as himself on numerous TV shows, including Whose Line Is It Anyway?, CHiPs, Saturday Night Live, and on an episode of Arrested Development, "Bringing Up Buster". In 1999, he hosted a short lived TV show called DreamMaker. Eight years later he filmed a pledge drive special for PBS, called Love Yourself And Win.

Simmons has been featured in TV advertisements for Sprint, Yoplait, Herbal Essence Shampoos, and toward the end of 2007, he appeared in a "This is SportsCenter" commercial on ESPN as the show's "conditioning coach." In Canada, Simmons appeared in an advertisement for Simmons mattresses. The mattress company hired the exercise celebrity because of the similarity in name, and for his appeal to the company's target audience of women over 35. Beyond this, there is no further business partnership between the two.

For three years, he hosted a radio show on Sirius Stars, Sirius Satellite Radio channel 102, called Lighten Up with Richard Simmons The show is no longer in production.

  • Simmons was a frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show in the 1990s. He refused to appear after Stern insulted him one too many times. Simmons finally reappeared on Stern's show on November 16, 2006.
  • Simmons was also a frequent guest on Late Night with David Letterman (NBC) and The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS). On November 22, 2000, they had a falling out after an incident that occurred on that night's show. Simmons (while dressed as a turkey) was sprayed in the face by Letterman with a fire extinguisher after Simmons grabbed Letterman as if to hug or kiss him, causing Simmons to have a severe asthma attack. Simmons did not appear on the Letterman show for six years, finally returning on November 29, 2006. During that appearance, Letterman once again set Simmons up for a prank. While Richard Simmons was demonstrating a steamer branded with his name, Letterman insisted on placing a tray under the steamer which Simmons did not believe belonged there. When Simmons turned the steamer on, something in the tray exploded and caught fire. Though initially scared, Simmons took the incident in fairly good nature, even joking that he "felt like Michael Jackson" (referring to a mishap where Jackson's hair was set on fire by a pyrotechnics accident).
  • Simmons also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He and Leno went door-to-door to market Simmons' health program, only to have people spew as many insults at him as they could.
  • Simmons has been a guest on the US version of Whose Line is it Anyway?. the show. One notable impersonation was during a game of Weird Newscasters, when Wayne Brady was to do the sports news in the style of Simmons.
  • Simmons has appeared multiple times on The Glenn Beck Program on CNN Headline News.

Personal life

Personality

Simmons is noted for his flamboyant, high-energy, motivational demeanor, an attribute he uses to help encourage people to lose weight. His high energy level is always featured in his workout videos. His trademark attire is candy-striped Dolfin shorts and tank tops decorated with Swarovski crystals.

Simmons is known for interacting at a personal level with people using his products. This began by personally answering fan mail he received as a cast member of General Hospital. Simmons still personally answers emails and letters, and makes hundreds of phone calls each week to those who seek his help. He also talked to people on the air during his radio show, and holds weekly live chats in the "clubhouse" area of his website. His appearances also include a "meet and greet" time, so that people can speak to him one on one.

Simmons claims to have few friends saying, "I don't have a lot to offer one person. I have a lot to offer to a lot of people." Aside from his three Dalmatians and two maids, Simmons lives alone in the Hollywood Hills. Although there has been speculation about his sexual orientation Simmons has never publically discussed his sexuality.

Hurricane Katrina response

In September 2005 Simmons appeared on Entertainment Tonight to discuss the effects of Hurricane Katrina on his family in his hometown of New Orleans and his involvement in aiding those affected by the hurricane. On August 29, 2006 Simmons appeared on Your World with Neil Cavuto while making a return visit to New Orleans one year after the flooding, a visit he repeated on March 2, 2007, now talking about his recent trip to Washington D.C. to promote and raise awareness about The Strengthening Physical Education Act of 2007 (bill HR 1224).

Print and media

Template:Multicol


Books

  • Never Say Diet ISBN 0-517-40284-X
  • Never Say Diet Cookbook
  • The Better Body Book
  • Reach for Fitness: A Special Book of Exercises for the Physically Challenged Warner Books 1986 ISBN 0-446-51302-4
  • Deal-A-Meal Cookbook
  • Richard Simmons' Never Give Up: Inspirations, Reflections, Stories of Hope Warner Books, 1984 ISBN 0-446-60085-7
  • Farewell to Fat Atlantic Books 2002 ISBN 1-57719-102-1
  • Sweetie Pie
  • Still Hungry After All These Years: My Story Gt Pub Corp 1999 ISBN 1-57719-356-3
  • The FoodMover Cookbook
  • Cookin' on Broadway
  • Steam Away the Pounds

Audio

Audio cassette

  • Project Me (six tape set)
  • Sweatin' and Sharin'
  • Colors of Your Life (single tape)
  • Colors of Your Life (six tape set)
  • Take a Walk
  • Take a Hike
  • Take a Classical Walk
  • Walk Across America
  • Walkin' on Broadway
  • Walk Around the World
  • Never Give Up (book on tape, read by Simmons)

Compact discs

  • Richard Picks the Hits, Volume 1
  • Richard Picks the Hits, Volume 2
  • Country Cardio
  • Oh Happy Day
  • Fitness Fiesta
  • Wicked Workout
  • Big Screen Burn
  • Shimmy Into Shape
  • In the Mood to Lose
  • Classical Chillout

Vinyl record

  • Reach (Elektra Records, 1983)

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Digital Compact Cassette

  • Colors of Your Life (single tape) (Goodtimes Entertainment, BASF 90 Min. 1998)

Visual media

DVDs

  • Richard Simmons and the Silver Foxes
  • Disco Sweat
  • 60's Blast Off
  • 80's Blast Off
  • SuperSweatin': Party Off the Pounds
  • SuperTonin': Totally Tonin
  • SuperTonin': Totally Tonin' with Toning Rings
  • Sit Tight
  • Sweatin' to the Oldies
  • Sweatin' to the Oldies 2
  • Sweatin' to the Oldies 3
  • Sweatin' to the Oldies 4
  • Sweatin' to the Oldies 5
  • Love Yourself and Win
  • Boogie Down the Pounds
  • Tonin' to the Oldies

Video cassette

  • Everyday with Richard Simmons
  • The Stomach Formula
  • Get Started
  • Reach for Fitness
  • Richard Simmons and the Silver Foxes
  • Sweatin' to the Oldies
  • Sweatin' to the Oldies 2
  • Sweatin' to the Oldies 3
  • Sweat and Shout (also sold as Sweatin to the Oldies 4)
  • Day By Day (Volumes 1-12)
  • Pump and Sweat
  • Step and Sweat
  • Tone and Sweat
  • Disco Sweat
  • Stretchin' to the Classics
  • Dance Your Pants Off!
  • Tonin' Uptown
  • Tonin' Downtown
  • Groovin' In The House
  • The Ab Formula
  • No Ifs Ands or Butts
  • Love to Stretch
  • Blast Off
  • Broadway Sweat
  • Tone Up On Broadway
  • Broadway Blast Off
  • Platinum Sweat
  • Sit Tight
  • Latin Blast Off (also marketed as Sudar Mucho)
  • Mega Mix Blast Off
  • Mega Mix 2 Blast Off
  • Disco Blast Off
  • 60's Blast Off
  • 80's Blast Off
  • Blast and Tone

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Notes

  1. ^ "Richard Simmons". IMDb. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
  2. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=6038493
  3. http://www.publicschoolinsights.org/kids-arent-well-rounded-theyre-justrounded
  4. http://www.brothermartin.com
  5. Chandler, Rick (January 19, 2007). "Church of Richard Simmons: Fitness advocate leads workout at Stateline". Tahoe Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2007-02-09.
  6. Simmons, R (1999) Still Hungry After All These Years, ISBN 1-57719-356-3, p.157
  7. Simmons, R. (1999) p.177-184
  8. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/24/fashion/24fitness.html
  9. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0799873/
  10. http://www.richardsimmons.com/j/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=80
  11. McShane, Larry (2007-02-07). "Stars cross paths at Sirius studios". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 2007-02-10.
  12. Richard Simmons (I)
  13. McIntee, Michael Z. (December 26, 2006). "Show #2661". CBS Late Show with David Letterman. Retrieved 2007-02-09.
  14. Richard Simmons Steamer: richard simmons exploding steamer hilarious david letterman clip
  15. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/22/gb.01.html
  16. ^ Pang, Kevin (2008-06-04). ""The many secrets of Richard Simmons"". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
  17. Sullivan, Andrew (12 December 1999). "The Way We Live Now: Counter Culture; Not a Straight Story". New York Times. p. §6 p.4. Retrieved 2009-04-05.
  18. Garelick, Rhonda (September 1995). "Outrageous Dieting: The Camp Performance of Richard Simmons". Postmodern Culture. 6 (1). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISSN 1053-1920.
  19. Kendall, Lori (22 March 2008). "James Bond, Peter Pan, and A Sticky Night of Love: irony and masculinities in amateur animated videos". The Journal of Men's Studies. 16 (2): 124. ISSN 1060-8265. The montage of Gay Peter Pan's phone contacts includes out celebrities like Richard Simmons and Rosie O'Donnell
  20. Rinaldi, Ray Mark (23 April 2000). "Heroes are hard to find when the're hiding". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. F3. We've always allowed gay men on the tube — did anyone besides my grandmother really think Liberace was heterosexual? What about Paul Lynde? Richard Simmons? — but the rules are clear. It's all right to be a flamer as long as you agree to keep it secret {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  21. Howard Stern had questioned him many times on dating and has never confirmed dating woman. Wieder, Judy (21 January 2003). "The real Rosie: 365 days of amazing challenges and feisty decisions turned America's sweethheart into the fighter she's always been—and The Advocate's leading lady for 2002. (Person of the Year)". The Advocate (15): 52. ISSN 0001-8996. When Kathy Kinney came on my show and outed Richard Simmons, I didn't try to "in" Richard Simmons. The gay community accused me of in-ing Richard Simmons, like I was trying to make people think that he was straight. I will tell you this: If Richard Simmons ever wants to discuss his private life with me on national TV, he's welcome to do so. It is not anyone else's right to do that before he decides it's time. That's the reason I said to Kathy Kinney, "We'll be right back with a commercial." I'm simply saying that that right belongs to him. And no matter what community you feel he's a part of or what he represents to you, it is not as relevant as his own truth.

References

External links

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