Everything you need to know about the Richard Simmons biopic starring Pauly Shore

Pauly Coast is ready for a comeback with his upcoming role as a fitness guru Richard Simmons.

Shore, 55, will play outgoing fitness icon Simmons, 75, in an upcoming biopic. “I am very excited about sharing Richard Simmons' life with the world,” Shore said in a statement Variety in January 2024. “We all need this biopic now more than ever. Simmons represented mental health, got people into shape and was his authentic silly self! Every time he was on TV you could never take your eyes off him and he brought so much joy to his performances that represented nothing but a good time.

Later that day, Simmons noted on Facebook that the film is not allowed. “You may have heard they might make a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I never gave permission for this film,” he wrote. “So don't believe everything you read.”

Simmons was known as a fitness celebrity with his own studio in Beverly Hills. He began to gain media attention in the 1970s and 1980s with his training videos and subsequent talk show appearances on shows such as Late Night with David Letterman And The Howard Stern Show. Simmons' upbeat, fun-loving personality made him a household name in addition to his fitness series, Sweating with the Oldies, which led to television and film roles and advertising opportunities. In 2014, he disappeared from public life, causing concern among his fans. In a 2016 phone interview with TodaySimmons said only that he preferred privacy.

This isn't the only Simmons-centric project Shore has lined up. He plays the leading role in A short movie, The court jester, which will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19, which was not connected to the biopic. In it, Shore portrays Simmons in the 2000s during an appearance on the series The Ellen DeGeneres Show when he watches an overweight production assistant get yelled at by other staff. The short film, directed by Jake Lewiswill be available on YouTube after the Sundance premiere.

For everything you need to know about Shore's Richard Simmons biopic, scroll:

What is the Richard Simmons biopic about?

Although no official plot has been announced so far, producer and director Mark Wolperhead of The Wolper Organization, which will produce the film, gave some ideas about working with Shore in his statement.

“There is a great, dramatic and uplifting story to be told about Richard Simmons. My company has been making historical dramas and biopics for over 50 years… we know what works,” Wolper shared. Variety. “We've been kicking around the idea for years, but it never came together until I saw in the press a few months ago that Pauly Shore was being touted by social media as the ONLY person who could play Richard. I saw the photo of them and realized that these two looked very similar, they both lived or died by how the world saw them, they both fought to give their fans what they wanted and they both deserve a great comeback story! My company has locked Pauly in to play Richard Simmons and we are in serious discussions with a major writer to develop this as a dramatic and heartfelt feature in the tone of Little Miss Sunshine.”

Is Richard Simmons involved in the film?

No, Simmons shared via his verified Facebook profile in January 2024 that he did not approve of the film.

“Hello everyone! You may have heard that they might make a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I never approved this movie,” he wrote. “So don't believe everything you read. I don't have a manager anymore, and I I don't have a publicist anymore. I'm just trying to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support. Richard.”

Who else is in the cast?

So far, only Shore has been cast as Simmons and additional casting is underway.

Who will direct Richard Simmons' biopic?

A director has not yet been announced.

When is the Richard Simmons biopic coming out?

No release date has been announced for the biopic yet.

What did Pauly Shore say about Richard Simmons' criticism?

Shortly after Simmons' comments made headlines, Shore responded to the criticism by saying he didn't think the former fitness coach came from a “vengeful place.”

“I hope that once he sees the short film and sees what we want to do with it, he will change his tune,” he told photographers in January 2024, per Entertainment tonight. “I love him. I love what he represents, and that's why we want to do it. He has such a great character and it would be a good opportunity for me to get out there again. People miss me and they miss him .”

Shore also shared that he wanted to play Simmons after “everyone” told him the pair looked alike.