At years of age, Richard Simmons remains one of the most memorable and unique personalities in the world of fitness. Actor and comedian Pauly Shore is set to star in a biopic about Simmons but Simmons has repeatedly rejected the project, keeping it at arms length.
The Warner Bros. subsidiary The Wolper Organization is currently developing a Simmons biopic and has tapped writer Jordan Allen-Dutton for the project. However, Simmons is completely uninvolved and shared his surprise and disapproval on social media in a post that drew a strong reaction from Shore.
Richard Simmons distances himself from the new biopic on his life starring Pauley Shore
On April 24, Simmons took to social media to discuss the revelation he had concerning a Shore-led biopic about his life. “I just read that a man that I don’t know is writing my bio pic starring Pauly Shore,” he shared. “I do not approve this movie. I am in talks with major studios to create my own biopic with some help. Wait for this movie.”
RELATED: Reclusive Richard Simmons Breaks Silence On His 75th Birthday
Weight had been a personal topic for fitness personality Richard Simmons for most of his life. He contended with obesity throughout his youth; at 15, he weighed 182 pounds. Into adulthood, he peaked at 268 pounds. In LA in the ’70s, he got into fitness and noted that successful fitness studios had eyes only for customers who were already at their health goals, leaving no resources for those wanting to get healthy. That’s when he stepped in to change that completely.
Pauly Shore was heartbroken that Richard Simmons rejects the biopic, and fans offer a split response
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Not long after the post went live Shore took to Instagram to share his emotional reaction to Simmons’s disinterest. “You guys, I was up all night crying regarding Richard Simmons’ tweet,” he admitted to his 473k followers. “Richard, how do you not approve of this movie? I mean, really, who’s better to play you in a movie than ME? Leonardo DiCaprio’s not gonna play you. Brad Pitt’s not gonna play you. I’m perfect. Everyone already thinks I’m you. We’re the same. Beautiful, inside and out.”
“Richard, you haven’t even heard the pitch,” Shore insisted. “Why don’t you simply let me come over to your house, bring you some warm matzo ball soup and a pastrami sandwich with dark mustard from Canters, rub your feet, and we can listen to the writer, Jordan Allen-Dutton, pitch you our idea.”
Shore went on to recount seeing Simmons at The Comedy Store, the times their paths crossed, and claimed his biopic would be so good, “you’ll drop to your knees and cry with joy and happiness.” While Shore also noted that many biopics have been made without the subject being consulted, not all of Shore’s followers were on his side.
One said in support, “I speak for everyone when I say we want the Pauly Shore version AND the approved version.” Another cheered, “I vote Pauly all day.”
Others, however, countered, “he’s alive and doesn’t want it he’s purposefully avoided the public for personal reasons so why don’t we just respect that? saying biopics have been made without others consent doesn’t mean it’s right it just means it’s happened.” Another agreed, “You are telling his story without his permission and against his wishes. Did you really think the court of public opinion would side with you over Richard freaking Simmons? Leave the man alone and cancel the project.”
Another on Twitter took the middle ground, sharing, “I’m not a Pauly Shore fan. That said, I loved the short. I’ve seen interviews of Richard when I was younger. He truly cares about the well-being of others. Pauly did a great job capturing the demeanor of Richard I remember in the interviews. I’d love for them two hash it out..”
What do you think?
