Overview (4)

Mini Bio (1)

Richard Simmons was born on July 12, 1948 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA as Milton Teagle Simmons. He is an actor and producer, known for Was Frauen wollen (2000), CHiPs (1977) and Die Larry Sanders Show (1992).



Trade Mark (1)

His afro and glittery leotards



Trivia (12)

Famous for always appearing in public in candy-striped Dolfin shorts, and tank tops that have been hand decorated with Swarovski crystals.



Much of his hair fell out due to losing weight in an unhealthy manner. He then had to have hair transplants, moving some of his own hair from the back of his head to the front. He urges others to lose weight in a healthy manner so they won't have the same problems he did.



He runs his own workout studio, Slimmons. He opened it more than 30 years ago in Beverly Hills, California, after finding that established gyms and exercise studios tended to favor already-fit people while discouraging beginners and the overweight. He endeavored to create an encouraging environment for that previously neglected clientele. He still teaches three days a week when he's in town.





Loves Barbra Streisand , Broadway musicals, one-of-a-kind art dolls, and art glass, having been an art major in college. He owns a vast collection of art dolls. Much of his art glass collection was destroyed by the Northridge earthquake.



When Simmons was appearing with two of his weight-loss clients on the The Howard Stern Show (1990) in 1990, Stern taunted his clients by waving food in front of their faces using a fishing pole. A large roasted chicken was lowered from the ceiling as well, to the shock and dismay of Simmons's clients. One of those clients, Michael Hebranko, later ballooned to more than 1,000 pounds and had to be rescued from his New York brownstone by 20 paramedics, policemen, and firemen. Though he quickly dropped much of the weight he had regained, three years later Hebranko again had to rescued from his apartment after gaining the weight back.

He was initially motivated to lose weight when he received an anonymous note, left on his car, reading, "Fat people die young. Please don't die."



His top weight was 268 pounds before he learned to control it.



Briefly studied for the priesthood.



Honored for his dedication to the cause of health and fitness with his induction to the National Fitness Hall of Fame in 2006.





During his four-year stint on General Hospital (1963), Simmons began personally answering fan mail. To this day, he still personally answers emails and letters, and makes hundreds of phone calls a week to people who are seeking his help, or who simply need to a motivational phone call.

He just launched a brand-new website. He is filming four new videos that will be available by the end of the year. He also is working with Sirius radio on a weekly radio show that will begin in October 2005. He still teaches aerobics all over the country, and at his own studio, Slimmons. [September 2005]



Sells his own line of dolls on the Home Shopping Network. [November 2003]



Personal Quotes (25)

Everyone has a story that makes me stronger. I know that the work I do is important and I enjoy it, but it is nice to hear the feedback of what we do to inspire others.



My parents always told me to be myself. I was always funny and silly as a kid. And I would always make them laugh. And they always told me to dream big and follow those dreams.



I don't talk about my personal life, and I don't talk about death.



I get tired of negativity in our country. I get tired of people who only want to know dirt. I get tired of people who don't believe in themselves.



No one is perfect... absolutely no one. Like precious stones, we have a few flaws, but why focus on that? Focus on what you like about yourself, and that will bring you happiness and peace.



Count your blessings. You are one of a kind. There's no one in the world like you. You are amazing.



For my workout, I'm up at 4 A.M. I say my prayers, count my blessings, and I work out right away. I just get it done.



One day I may be meeting you and hearing how you've changed your life by saying, 'Farewell to Fat'.



Everyone in this world is somehow connected. So why not just be nice to everybody.



Our children are obese, either have or being threatened by diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and not socially adjusting properly to others because of a lack of fitness.



I'm not into any show that makes people compete when they lose weight.



If your oxygen mask drops down, it's time to take a breather!



When I go to bed at night, I ask God to give me another day; I ask him to keep me strong and make me a good teacher and to keep spreading this right word.



Number one, like yourself. Number two, you have to eat healthy. And number three, you've got to squeeze your buns. That's my formula.



People have been frying foods since Jesus was on this planet, and there is always going to be greasy, fried, salty, sugary food. It is up to the individual to walk in and say, 'I don't want those fries today.'



Miley Cyrus, like all of us, needs to be loved. We all come from complicated parents... I understand her, and I love her, and I think things will be different with her. But you know, in the music business, sometimes you have to shock a little.



How do you get motivated? By knowing your worth. Americans do not know how worthy they are. You deserve to be healthy, but a lot of times, people have, as a child's been told - as a children been told that they're no good, that they're never going to be anything else.



People are still grasping for the miracle, and unfortunately, there are no miracles, if you do not exercise for a year, and let your body remain dormant, then you will gain weight.



I'm such a huge fan, and I've done classes of all Lady Gaga music. And she's just someone who evokes freedom and love for her fans and passion in what she does. Lady Gaga, I'll take you out for a salad anytime.



My way is the sensitive, emotional way, because that's who I am. I try to be the clown and court jester and make people laugh. At the same time, you have people in the hospital who have had gastric bypass or lap-band surgery, and they still have to work out. If you don't work out and eat healthy, you'll look like a melted candle.



I have rules about eating, exercising and rules about staying positive. And these rules are sacred to me.



I don't know about you, but every time some joker points me out as I walk through an airport wearing extra-small Dolfin shorts, a tank top and leg warmers, I get a little upset.



Puberty for me was graduating from Thousand Island salad dressing to Caesar salads. It was like going from hot dogs and hamburgers to beef stroganoff, or from ice cream in a cone to creme brulee.



When I lost my weight, I went and bought about 15 different types of underwear to see what would look good on my new body. It's exciting!



Take a moment every day to find peace. Pull over to the side of the road, turn off the radio, and find peace.

