Jan 18
Watch: Pauly Shore to Play Fitness Icon Richard Simmons in Biopic
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Comedian Pauly Shore will reportedly be starring as Richard Simmons in an upcoming biopic of the now-reclusive fitness icon.
"Last year, a meme noting Simmons and Shore's similar appearance went viral, with Shore taking to social media to say he was actively trying to contact Simmons about the possibility of a film," The Hollywood Reporter recalled.
The article noted that in September, Shore shared how he had been trying to contact Simmons to pitch the project.
"We've been playing phone tag (yes, he still has a phone)," Shore posted at the time. "I'm trying to make it happen for you guys. Be optimistic."
That optimism has apparently paid off: In addition to an upcoming feature, which is now in the process of casting, Shore stars in an unrelated short film titled "The Court Jester." That short, THR said, is slated to premiere Jan. 19, first at an in-person screening at this year's Sundance Film Festival, and then on YouTube.
With the biopic set to proceed, Shore spoke out again, saying, "I'm really excited about sharing Richard Simmons' life with the world."
"We all need this biopic now more than ever," the "Encino Man" star went on to add. "Simmons represented mental health, getting people in shape and being his authentic silly self! Whenever he was on TV you could never take your eyes off of him and he brought such a joy to his appearances that represented nothing but a good time."
One person who doesn't seem to need the biopic is Simmons himself, who took to Facebook on Jan. 17 to decry the project, Variety reported.
"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," Simmons wrote on Facebook.
"I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist," the post on Simmons' Facebook page added. "I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support."
No premiere date for the feature has been announced, and it's unclear whether the biopic or short film will clarify speculation around whether Simmons is LGBTQ+ – something that Simmons himself has not addressed publicly.
Watch the teaser for the short film "The Court Jester" below.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
