Editing Richard Simmons (section)

==Career==
===Fitness career===
[[File:Richard Simmons (1982 Elektra Press photo).jpg|thumb|Simmons in 1982]]
Upon moving to [[Los Angeles]] in the 1970s, Simmons worked as the ''[[maître d'hôtel]]'' at Derek's, a restaurant in [[Beverly Hills, California|Beverly Hills]].<ref name="Still Hungry"/>{{rp|157}} He developed an interest in fitness. Exercise studios of the day favored the already fit customer, so little help was available for those who needed to gain fitness from an otherwise unhealthy state. He established gyms and his interest in fitness helped him lose {{convert|123|lb|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref name="hollywoodreporter24">{{cite web |last1=Barnes |first1=Mike |title=Richard Simmons, Celebrity Fitness Guru, Dies at 76 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/richard-simmons-dead-fitness-guru-1235948038/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=July 13, 2024 |access-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713231440/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/richard-simmons-dead-fitness-guru-1235948038/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sullivan |first1=Rebecca |title='Missing Richard Simmons' explores how the fitness guru hasn't been seen in public for more than 1,000 days |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/missing-richard-simmons-explores-how-the-fitness-guru-hasnt-been-seen-in-public-for-more-than-1000-days |publisher=Fox News |date=March 3, 2017 |access-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713231440/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/missing-richard-simmons-explores-how-the-fitness-guru-hasnt-been-seen-in-public-for-more-than-1000-days |url-status=live }}</ref>

He opened his own exercise studio, originally called The Anatomy Asylum, where emphasis was placed on healthy eating in proper portions and enjoyable exercise in a supportive atmosphere. The business originally included a [[salad bar]] restaurant called Ruffage, a pun on the word ''[[Dietary fiber|roughage]]'' (dietary fiber); though it was eventually removed as the focus of The Anatomy Asylum shifted solely to exercise.<ref>Simmons, R. (1999) pp. 177–184</ref> Later renamed Slimmons, the establishment continued operations in Beverly Hills and Simmons taught motivational classes and [[aerobics]] throughout the week.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/24/fashion/24fitness.html|work=The New York Times|title=A Celebrity Sweats: It's Richard!|first=Tricia|last=Romano|date=December 23, 2009|access-date=May 22, 2010|archive-date=March 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110331043650/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/24/fashion/24fitness.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His success led to a recurring role in ''[[General Hospital]]'' portraying himself over a four-year period and then to his own television series ''The Richard Simmons Show'', which aired from 1980 to 1984 and earned him multiple [[Emmy]] awards.<ref name="nbc2024">{{cite news |title=Richard Simmons, legendary fitness personality, dies at 76 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obituaries/richard-simmons-obituary-rcna161728 |publisher=NBC News |date=July 13, 2024 |access-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713225337/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obituaries/richard-simmons-obituary-rcna161728 |url-status=live }}</ref> Rising interest in aerobics during the 1980s led to the popularization of Simmons' line of fitness videos, particularly his ''Sweatin' to the Oldies'' series, which became one of the most popular videos during the decade.<ref name="ABC24">{{cite news |last1=Osborne |first1=Mark |last2=Stone |first2=David |title=Fitness guru Richard Simmons dead at 76 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/fitness-guru-richard-simmons-dead-76/story?id=111912398 |work=ABC News |date=July 13, 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Richard talking with a fan April 2009.jpg|thumb|Simmons in 2009]]
In 2010, Simmons stated he had maintained his own 100+ pound (45&nbsp;kg) weight loss for 42 years, had been helping others lose weight for 35 years, and that in the course of his fitness career, had helped humanity lose approximately 12 million pounds (5.5 million kg).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/richard-simmons-personal-story-pt-2 |title=Richard Simmons' Story, Pt. 2 &#124; The Dr. Oz Show |publisher=Doctoroz.com |date=February 15, 2010 |access-date=May 2, 2013 |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213035454/http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/richard-simmons-personal-story-pt-2 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===In media===
Simmons began to receive media attention due to the success of his health club that started with him on ''[[Real People (TV program)|Real People]]'' (where he was shown at work).<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Hughes |first=William |date=July 13, 2024 |title=R.I.P. Richard Simmons, fitness guru |url=https://www.avclub.com/r-i-p-richard-simmons-fitness-guru-1851591559 |access-date=July 20, 2024 |website=[[AV Club]] |language=en-US}}</ref> He introduced customers whom he had helped to lose weight. He later had guest roles on ''[[Battlestars (game show)|Battlestars]]'', ''[[Super Password]]'', ''[[Win, Lose or Draw]]'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Danhauer |first=Whitney |date=July 13, 2024 |title=Richard Simmons Dead at Age 76: Fitness Guru Dies 1 Day After Birthday |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/richard-simmons-dead-age-76-165608075.html |access-date=July 20, 2024 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |publisher=In Touch |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Body Language (game show)|Body Language]]'',<ref>{{cite web |date=September 11, 1985 |title=Body Language - Sept 11, 1985 (Phyllis Diller / Richard Simmons) |url=https://archive.org/details/buzzr-bl-091185-012823-01 |website=archive.org}}</ref> ''[[Match Game]]'' ([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]), ''[[Hollywood Squares]]'' ([[Broadcast syndication|syndicated]]),<ref>{{cite web |date=July 13, 2024 |title=Richard Simmons, iconic fitness guru, dead at 76 |url=https://wtmx.com/richard-simmons-iconic-fitness-guru-dead-at-76/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718034212/https://wtmx.com/richard-simmons-iconic-fitness-guru-dead-at-76/ |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |access-date=July 20, 2024 |website=WTMX.com |language=en-US}}</ref> and [[Nickelodeon]]'s ''[[Figure It Out]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Karla |date=July 13, 2024 |title=A look back at Richard Simmons' energetic and impactful career after fitness guru died age 76 |url=https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/inside-richard-simmons-career-death-590320 |access-date=July 20, 2024 |website=themirror.com}}</ref> Positive viewer reactions landed Simmons a recurring role as himself in ''General Hospital'' over a four-year period.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.richardsimmons.com/j/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=80 |title=Richard Simmons Official Site and Clubhouse: Weight Loss and Fitness Tools and Motivation |access-date=May 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914083209/http://www.richardsimmons.com/j/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=80 |archive-date=September 14, 2008 }}</ref> This, as well as being in shopping malls (where he taught exercise classes), led to further media attention. In the early 1980s, Simmons hosted two shows — ''Slim Cookin'' and the Emmy Award-winning talk show ''The Richard Simmons Show'',<ref name="nbc2024"/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/richard-simmons-what-happened-to-the-reclusive-fitness-star-explainer/35e0acc8-14f2-4794-be83-8e45ec1c1915 | title=What happened to '80s fitness star Richard Simmons? | date=January 26, 2024 | first1=Chloe-Lee | last1=Longhetti | website=[[Nine Network]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127041851/https://celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/richard-simmons-what-happened-to-the-reclusive-fitness-star-explainer/35e0acc8-14f2-4794-be83-8e45ec1c1915 | archive-date=January 27, 2024 | url-status=live}}</ref> in which he focused on personal health, fitness, exercise, and healthy cooking. [[File:RichardSimmonsSept2011.jpg|thumb|left|Simmons in 2011]] Simmons portrayed himself in the ''[[Amazing Stories (1985 TV series)|Amazing Stories]]'' episode "Remote Control Man".<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.nbc.com/amazing-stories/video/remote-control-man/2909101 |title=Watch Amazing Stories Episode: Remote Control Man |language=en-US |access-date=July 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720043650/https://www.nbc.com/amazing-stories/video/remote-control-man/2909101 |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |via=nbc.com}}</ref> Simmons was a guest on ''[[The Rosie O'Donnell Show]]'' on November 18, 1997, together with [[Celine Dion]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hogan |first1=Kate |title=Richard Simmons Is Back! After Years of Silence, He's Chatty Again&nbsp;— and Revealing Which Star Asked Him to 'Shut Up' |url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/richard-simmons-back-years-silence-193234460.html |work=People |publisher=Yahoo! |date=May 9, 2024}}</ref> He was a frequent guest on ''[[The Howard Stern Show]]'', his last appearance coming in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Richard Simmons Breaks His Silence |url=https://www.howardstern.com/show/2016/03/14/richard-simmons-breaks-his-silence/ |website=howardstern.com |date=March 14, 2016 |access-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713230554/https://www.howardstern.com/show/2016/03/14/richard-simmons-breaks-his-silence/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Simmons was also a guest on ''[[Late Night with David Letterman]]'' (NBC)<ref name=":0" /> and the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' (CBS), but on November 22, 2000, they had a falling-out after an incident on that night's show. Simmons (while dressed as a turkey) grabbed Letterman as if to hug or kiss him, to which Letterman responded by spraying Simmons with a fire extinguisher, which made Simmons have a severe [[asthma attack]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Michael Z. |last=McIntee |title=Show #1515 |publisher=CBS Late Show with David Letterman |date=December 26, 2006 |url=http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/wahoo/index/php/20061226.phtml |access-date=February 9, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514141704/http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/wahoo/index/php/20061226.phtml |archive-date=May 14, 2007 }}</ref> Simmons did not appear on the Letterman show for six years, finally returning on November 29, 2006. During that time, Letterman once again set Simmons up for a prank; while 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, sending Simmons running for his life. Despite the scare, 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 accidentally set on fire by pyrotechnics while filming a [[Pepsi]] commercial).<ref>{{YouTube|b6xTBWjFnZs|Richard Simmons Steamer}}</ref>

In 1998, Simmons provided the voice of Boone in ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie]]''.<ref>{{citation |last=GoodTimes Entertainment |title=Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Movie (DVD) |year=1998 |url=http://archive.org/details/rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-the-movie-dvd-1998 |access-date=July 20, 2024}}</ref> He featured as himself on numerous television series, including ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (U.S. TV series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]'', ''[[CHiPs]]'', ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', ''[[The Larry Sanders Show]]'', and in the ''[[Arrested Development]]'' episode "[[Bringing Up Buster]]". In 1999, he hosted the short-lived television series ''DreamMaker''.<ref>{{citation |last=Television Academy Foundation |title=TALKING ABOUT Richard Simmons |year=2015 |url=http://interviews.televisionacademy.com/people/richard-simmons |access-date=November 1, 2024}}</ref> On January 14, 2000, Simmons and [[Tribune Entertainment]] parted ways, following low ratings.<ref>{{citation |last=Variety |title=For Simmons, 'Dream' will be over soon |year=1999 |url=http://variety.com/1999/tv/news/for-simmons-dream-will-be-over-soon-1117758311/ |access-date=November 1, 2024}}</ref> In 2007, he filmed the [[PBS]] pledge-drive special ''Love Yourself and Win''.<ref>{{citation |last=Total Fitness DVD's |title=Richard Simmons Love Yourself and Win DVD |year=2007 |url=http://www.totalfitnessdvds.com/Richard-Simmons-Love-Yourself-and-Win-DVD-p/2060.htm |access-date=November 1, 2024}}</ref>

He also featured in television advertisements for [[Sprint Nextel|Sprint]], [[Yoplait]], and [[Herbal Essence]] shampoos. In late 2007, he was in a ''[[This is SportsCenter]]'' commercial on [[ESPN]] as the show's "conditioning coach".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Gonzalez |first=Ale |date=July 13, 2024 |title=Remembering Richard Simmons with iconic ESPN SportsCenter commercial |url=https://www.si.com/onsi/athlete-lifestyle/news/remembering-richard-simmons-with-iconic-espn-sportscenter-commercial |access-date=July 20, 2024 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In the ''[[Rocko's Modern Life]]'' episode "No Pain, No Gain", Simmons voiced an exercise trainer bearing his animated likeness, leading a class filled with large, [[anthropomorphic]] animals.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gates |first=Marya E. |date=July 15, 2024 |title=A Force For Good: Richard Simmons (1948-2024) |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/tributes/richard-simmons-tribute |access-date=July 20, 2024 |website=rogerebert.com |language=en}}</ref>

Simmons appeared multiple times on ''[[The Glenn Beck Program]]'' on [[HLN (TV channel)|HLN]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/22/gb.01.html|publisher=CNN|access-date=May 22, 2010|title=CNN.com|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629122650/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/22/gb.01.html|url-status=live}}</ref> From 2006 to 2008, he hosted a radio show on Sirius Stars ([[Sirius Satellite Radio]] channel 102) titled ''Lighten Up with Richard Simmons''.<ref name="CGN2006">{{cite web|title=California Governors Conference 2006|url=http://www.californiagovernorsconference.org/|website=californiagovernorsconference.org|access-date=November 28, 2018|date=September 26, 2006|archive-date=January 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128143747/http://www.californiagovernorsconference.org/|url-status=live}} (date per google; included to cite earliest mention of the show)</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fearlessfatloss.com/weight-loss-news/a-sad-day-on-sirius-satellite-radio-no-more-richard-simmons/|title=A Sad Day on Sirius Satellite Radio – No More Richard Simmons|publisher=fearlessfatloss.com|last=Braley|first=JoLynn|date=October 27, 2008|access-date=March 7, 2017|archive-date=March 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307212834/http://www.fearlessfatloss.com/weight-loss-news/a-sad-day-on-sirius-satellite-radio-no-more-richard-simmons/|url-status=live}}</ref> He provided the voice of Coach Salmons, a recurring character modeled after his own likeness, for ''[[Fish Hooks]]''.<ref name="hollywoodreporter24" /> In 2011, Simmons starred in "Fit to Fly with Richard Simmons", an [[Air New Zealand]] inflight safety briefing video modeled after his aerobic workouts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iaTEgoezNQ|title=Mile-high madness with Richard Simmons!|via=YouTube|date=March 27, 2011|access-date=May 2, 2013|archive-date=May 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518155710/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iaTEgoezNQ|url-status=live}}</ref> He is featured heavily in the film clip of "Hawker Boat" by [[Tobacco (musician)|Tobacco]], taken from the album ''[[Fucked Up Friends]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSwN4_1NIoU|title=Tobacco – Hawker Boat|via=YouTube|date=November 13, 2008|access-date=May 2, 2013|archive-date=June 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609081948/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSwN4_1NIoU|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in 2020, Simmons' YouTube channel was updated with archival exercise videos (recorded before his decision to withdraw from public life) to help people stay fit at home. A spokesperson said the move was motivated by an "overwhelming request for Richard to return in some way as a comfort" and added that Simmons was "very touched by the outreach".<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/richard-simmons-is-posting-sweatin-to-the-oldies-videos-as-a-comfort-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-230611211.html|title = Richard Simmons of 'Sweatin' to the Oldies' is posting fitness videos 'as a comfort' during the coronavirus pandemic|publisher = [[Yahoo!]]|date = April 3, 2020|accessdate = April 15, 2023|last = Solé|first = Elise|archive-date = April 15, 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230415134235/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/richard-simmons-is-posting-sweatin-to-the-oldies-videos-as-a-comfort-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-230611211.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

In January 2024, an as-yet untitled biopic about Simmons, starring [[Pauly Shore]], was announced, titled ''The Court Jester''. Simmons stated on Facebook, "I have never given my permission for this movie."<ref name="guard-17jan2024">{{cite news |last1=Cain |first1=Sian |title=Richard Simmons disavows biopic: 'I have never given my permission for this movie' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/jan/18/richard-simmons-biopic-criticism-permission-fitness-instructor |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=January 17, 2024}}</ref> In April, he said he was discussing giving his approval for a different biopic.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wong |first=Curtis M. |date=April 29, 2024 |title=Pauly Shore Shares Devastation Over Richard Simmons' Negative Biopic Reaction |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pauly-shore-richard-simmons-biopic-tears_n_662fb01de4b09dcb78308a15 |access-date=April 30, 2024 |website=HuffPost |language=en |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430112445/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pauly-shore-richard-simmons-biopic-tears_n_662fb01de4b09dcb78308a15 |url-status=live }}</ref>