Pauly Shore to play Richard Simmons in biopic about the reclusive fitness star – after already starring in the short film The Court Jester

Pauly Shore will play Richard Simmons in a biopic about the reclusive fitness star.

Ahead of the feature film, however, Shore, 55, can already be seen as Simmons, 75, in a short film called The Court Jester, which will screen at the Sundance Film Festival – although it is not in the festival's official film. queue up.

Shore has even teased fans that his portrayal could lead him to an Oscar in 2025.

The Court Jester will be released on YouTube following a premiere at The Cabin in Park City on January 19.

Last year, Encino Man star Shore revealed his intentions to play the beloved '80s fitness icon, known for his bubbly personality and colorful gym clothes.

Now Pauly will play Richard Simmons as an official biopic

“I noticed all the comments about me playing Richard Simmons in a new biopic so I'm reaching out to him,” he wrote on Facebook in September.

Simmons – who has not been seen in public since 2017 – is said to be not interested in participating in the biopic.

Shore added in his message, “I heard he lives deep in Big Bear. We played phone tag (yes, he still has a phone). I'm trying to make it happen for you.

'Be optimistic. In the meantime, visit Hulu, Amazon, Disney, HBO and all the major producers. I can definitely turn into this man. I'll see you at the 2025 Academy Awards.”

Check-in: Richard Simmons, who has largely hidden from the public eye, issued a rare statement last July to celebrate turning 75; seen in October 2013 in NYC

Shore previously mentioned how his fans commented on his resemblance to Simmons

Last July, Simmons made an extremely rare public statement to celebrate his 75th birthday.

Although he did not share a personal message with the audience and his fans, he did allow his representative to speak on his behalf.

'This is a big milestone. I just want to see him happy, and he is,” his rep Tom Estey told ET about the special occasion.

It was a rare form of communication from the former fitness guru, who has largely hidden from the public eye since 2014.

He was previously spotted in 2017 when he left a hospital after being treated for serious digestive problems.

However, he tried to avoid being seen by covering himself almost from head to toe with a blanket, which then forced his housekeeper to lead him to a waiting car.

Despite Simmons' recent reclusive years, fans showed he was still in their hearts and minds when they stopped by his home on Thursday to personally wish him a happy 75th birthday.

Although they probably didn't see him in person, two people were seen holding birthday balloons and a sign that said “Happy Birthday Richard!” We love you!'

His exit from the spotlight shocked many friends and admirers at the time, even spawning an investigative podcast, documentaries and half-baked claims that his housekeeper was holding him hostage.

Shore has teased fans that his portrayal could even lead him to an Oscar in 2025

Pauly is known to many for starring in the 1992 film Encino Man

Since 2014, Simmons has spoken to the public only through a few phone interviews and rare statements from his representatives.

Fans previously got news about the Sweatin' To The Oldies star when a friend shared details about his current life with ET in 2018, just shy of his 70th birthday.

'He's doing very well. He is his jovial self. He spends most of his time at home and in his garden,” the source claimed at the time.

They added that he had made progress on his “reading queue” and that he is “doing what he wants to do.”

“He deserves this time for himself,” the friend continued. 'Seventy years is a milestone, but he doesn't look at it that way.'

Simmons' quiet years couldn't be a greater contrast to when he was at the height of his fame in the 1980s and 1990s, when he opened his own practice studio after losing more than 100 pounds.

The Beverly Hills studio, which became known as Slimmons, proved to be a popular spot for people looking to lose weight, as Simmons felt that gyms at the time were more focused on serving people who were already in great shape, rather than those who were already in top condition. people who want to become healthier.

He further boosted his public profile with a series of appearances on game shows, talk shows and even soap operas, but it was his videotapes in the Sweatin' To The Oldies that made him an inescapable part of the culture.