Date of Birth 12 July 1948, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Birth Name Milton Simmons. Nickname Dicky. Height 5' 6½" (1.69 m).  Trade Mark His afro and glittery leotards. Famous for always appearing in public in candy-striped Dolfin shorts, and tank tops that have been hand decorated with Swarovski crystals. Has not appeared on the "The Howard Stern Show" (1990) since November 1992, though he was once a regular guest. During his last appearance on the show, he ran out of the studio in tears after Howard told him "Your belly hangs like your nuts."

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 over 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. As such, he endeavored to create an encouraging environment for that previously neglected clientèle. He still teaches three days a week when he's in town.

Loves Barbra Streisand, Broadway musicals, and one of a kind Art dolls, and Art Glass...having been an Art Major in college himself. He owns a vast of Art Dolls. Much of his Art Glass collection was destroyed by the Northridge Earthquake.

When 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 Richard's clients. One of those clients, Michael Hebranko, later ballooned to over 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 lbs before he learned to control it.

Briefly studied for the priesthood.

More about him:
Thirty years and 3,000,000 pounds later, Richard Simmons is still going strong. Using his unique wit, passion and enthusiasm, Simmons, the nation's most revered fitness expert, continues his crusade to reach out to the masses, encouraging them to take control of their fitness destiny. Delivering a serious message with his trademark humor, Simmons has helped millions of overweight men and women lose close to 3,000,000 pounds by adopting sensible balanced eating programs and exercise regimes that are energetic, fun and motivating.
Growing up in the French Quarter of New Orleans, where lard was a food group and dessert mandatory, Richard was soon at 268 pounds when he graduated high school. An entrepreneur at a tender age, Simmons sold pralines on New Orleans street corners where he learned to charm and entertain his customers. After trying everything from bizarre diets to laxatives, Simmons took control of his weight problem by adopting a lifestyle of balance, moderate eating and exercise.

Simmons prevailed over his own weight problem before relocating to Los Angeles in 1973. There was no significant fitness movement in this country at the time, and to no avail, Simmons attempted to find a health club that wasn't for people who were already in shape. After traversing the county, looking for a facility for any and everyone, his only alternative was for him to create that safe haven. In 1974, after consulting with doctors and nutritionists to ensure the safety of a program tailored to the needs of everyone, from the overweight and obese, physically challenged to the seniors, a determined Simmons established an innovative place where the overweight of the world were welcomed with open arms. This program was met with instant success and continues today at SLIMMONS in Beverly Hills, where Richard still teaches. While many of his legions of fans are overweight, he also resonates with everyone, anyone who has a few pounds to lose and wants to be fit.

Simmons' success as a fitness expert and advocate led to numerous local and national television and radio appearances including a four-year run on "General Hospital," followed by his own nationally syndicated series, "The Richard Simmons Show." The show ran for four years and received several Emmy Awards.

Knowing that exercise and weight loss regimes must go hand-in-hand, Simmons has created a series of products that integrate the two components of a sensible weight loss program. Deal-A-Meal and the FoodMover help people keep track of their food intake through the use of a device to keep track of calories and portions. His 50 fitness videos, which have sold over 20 million copies, pair lively music, with rockin' routines and Simmons' humorous banter and encouragement. With titles that include "Sweatin' to the Oldies," "Dance Your Pants Off," "Disco Sweat," "Blast Off the Pounds," the recent "Platinum Sweat," and "Sit Tight," a workout designed for people who cannot stand, Richard offers a routine for everyone.

As the author of nine books, including the New York Times Best Seller, "Never Say Diet," Richard released his autobiography, "Still Hungry-After All These Years" in 1999. He is also the author of three best-selling cookbooks.

Throughout the years, Richard still gets his greatest satisfaction from reaching out and literally touching his students. Recognizing that his audience spans all across America, Simmons averages some 250 days on tour each year. Whether it's a women's expo, a nursing home, a high school, children's hospital, shopping mall or a corporate seminar, Simmons considers himself fortunate to come face to face with hundreds of thousands of people each year. Alarmed by the financial impact of obesity on the workplace, several executive organizations have recently invited Simmons to speak to their members about ways to encourage their workers to lose weight. And still another project, which just might well be his legacy, Richard launched "Hoot Camp" in Los Angeles in April 2004. This is a grassroots effort that Richard will take to outreaching communities where he teaches fitness teachers and coaches how to motivate their students by incorporating humor and persona into their classes. And lastly, remembering his childhood as an obese kid and prime target of neighborhood bullies, Richard also plans to embark on an educational program for children and their parents in the New Year, reaching this under-represented population before their fitness fate is sealed.

Still fighting the fitness battles with humor and enthusiasm, Simmons vows to never give up and vows that he will continue his crusade until it's time for him to teach classes at the Pearly Gates.

    * 1990s
    * 1980s
    * 1960s

   1. Hercules: Zero to Hero (1999) (V) (voice) .... Physedipus
   2. "DreamMaker" (1999) TV series .... Host (unknown episodes)
      ... aka Richard Simmons' DreamMaker (USA: complete title)
   3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie (1998) (voice) .... Boone
   4. "Hercules" .... Physedipus (1 episode, 1998)
      ... aka Disney's Hercules (USA: complete title)
          - Hercules and the Visit from Zeus (1998) TV episode .... Physedipus
   5. "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (1 episode, 1995)
          - Yakety Yak (1995) TV episode
   6. "Rocko's Modern Life" .... Aerobics Instructor (1 episode, 1993)
          - No Pain, No Gain/Who Gives a Buck? (1993) TV episode (voice) .... Aerobics Instructor
   7. "Dinosaurs" .... Richard Simmons Dinosaur (1 episode, 1992)
          - Nature Calls (1992) TV episode (voice) .... Richard Simmons Dinosaur

   8. From Here to Maternity (1985) (TV) .... Birthing Coach
   9. "The Richard Simmons Show" (1980) TV series .... Host (unknown episodes)

  10. "The Bold Ones: The New Doctors" .... Slidell (1 episode, 1969)
      ... aka The New Doctors
          - Man Without a Heart (1969) TV episode .... Slidell

Producer:

    * 1990s
    * 1980s

   1. Disco Sweat (1995) (V) (producer)
   2. Sweat & Shout: An Aerobic Workout (1992) (V) (producer)
      ... aka Sweatin' to the Oldies 4 (USA)
   3. Stretchin' to the Classics (1991) (V) (executive producer)
   4. Sweatin' to the Oldies 3 (1991) (V) (producer)
   5. Sweatin' to the Oldies 2 (1990) (V) (producer)

   6. Sweatin' to the Oldies (1988) (V) (producer)

Miscellaneous Crew:

    * 2000s
    * 1990s

   1. What Women Want (2000) (footage for "Move, Groove and Lose" courtesy of)

   2. Sweat & Shout: An Aerobic Workout (1992) (V) (choreographer)
      ... aka Sweatin' to the Oldies 4 (USA)
   3. Sweatin' to the Oldies 2 (1990) (V) (choerographer)

Self:

    * 2000s
    * 1990s
    * 1980s
    * 1970s

   1. "Late Show with David Letterman" .... Himself / ... (10 episodes, 1994-2008)
      ... aka Late Show Backstage (USA: title for episodes with guest hosts)
      ... aka Letterman (Australia)
      ... aka The Late Show (USA: informal short title)
          - Episode dated 1 August 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself
          - Episode #15.26 (2007) TV episode .... Himself - Guest
          - Episode dated 29 November 2006 (2006) TV episode .... Himself
          - Episode #4.159 (1997) TV episode .... Himself - Dramatizing Late Show staffers memories of Prom Nightmares
          - Episode dated 21 May 1997 (1997) TV episode .... Himself
            (5 more)
   2. "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" .... Himself (1 episode, 2008)
          - Episode dated 3 April 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself
   3. "Entertainment Tonight" .... Himself (1 episode, 2008)
      ... aka E.T. (USA: informal title)
      ... aka ET Weekend (Australia: weekend title)
      ... aka Entertainment This Week (weekend title)
      ... aka This Week in Entertainment (USA: weekend title)
          - Episode dated 11 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself
   4. "Today" .... Himself (1 episode, 2008)
      ... aka NBC News Today (USA: promotional title)
      ... aka The Today Show (USA)
          - Episode dated 8 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself
   5. "Dancing with the Stars" .... Himself (1 episode, 2007)
          - Round 8 (2007) TV episode .... Himself
   6. "Howard Stern on Demand" .... Himself (2 episodes, 2006-2007)
      ... aka Howard TV on Demand (USA)
          - Richard Simmons Cries (2007) TV episode .... Himself
          - Richard Simmons (2006) TV episode .... Himself
   7. "The Megan Mullally Show" .... Himself (1 episode, 2006)
          - Episode #1.68 (2006) TV episode .... Himself
   8. "Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show" .... Himself (1 episode, 2006)
          - Episode dated 6 November 2006 (2006) TV episode .... Himself
   9. "Your World w/ Neil Cavuto" .... Himself (1 episode, 2006)
          - Episode dated 2 February 2006 (2006) TV episode .... Himself
  10. "The Tony Danza Show" .... Himself (2 episodes, 2005-2006)
          - Episode #2.76 (2006) TV episode .... Himself
          - Episode #1.84 (2005) TV episode .... Himself
  11. "Martha" .... Himself (1 episode, 2005)
          - Episode dated 25 October 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself
  12. Half Ton Man (2005) (TV) .... Himself
  13. "On-Air with Ryan Seacrest" .... Himself (1 episode, 2004)
          - Episode dated 19 July 2004 (2004) TV episode .... Himself
  14. "Johnny Bravo" .... Himself (1 episode, 2004)
          - Get Shovelized/T Is for Trouble (2004) TV episode (voice) .... Himself
  15. "SoapTalk" .... Himself (1 episode, 2004)
          - Episode dated 24 February 2004 (2004) TV episode .... Himself
  16. Big Fat Documentary (2004) (TV) .... Himself
      ... aka Victoria Wood's Big Fat Documentary (UK: complete title)
  17. "Arrested Development" .... Himself (1 episode, 2003)
          - Bringing Up Buster (2003) TV episode .... Himself
  18. "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" .... Himself (1 episode, 2003)
      ... aka W.L.I.A (USA: short title)
      ... aka Whose Line? (USA: short title)
          - Episode #5.17 (2003) TV episode .... Himself
  19. "Hollywood Squares" .... Guest Appearance (4 episodes, 1999-2003)
      ... aka H² (USA: promotional abbreviation)
      ... aka H2: Hollywood Squares (USA: fifth season title)
          - Episode dated 13 January 2003 (2003) TV episode .... Guest Appearance
          - Episode dated 8 January 2001 (2001) TV episode .... Guest Appearance
          - Episode dated 31 January 2000 (2000) TV episode .... Guest Appearance
          - Episode dated 15 February 1999 (1999) TV episode .... Guest Appearance
  20. The Silver Foxes 2: Shape Up America (2001) (V) .... Himself
  21. "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" .... Himself (9 episodes, 1996-2001)
          - Episode dated 10 January 2001 (2001) TV episode .... Himself
          - Episode dated 2 June 2000 (2000) TV episode .... Himself
          - Episode dated 14 September 1999 (1999) TV episode .... Himself
          - Episode dated 1 April 1999 (1999) TV episode .... Himself
          - Episode dated 4 May 1998 (1998) TV episode .... Himself
            (4 more)
  22. "Biography" .... Himself (1 episode, 2001)
          - Richard Simmons: Fit for Life (2001) TV episode .... Himself
  23. "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" .... Himself (2 episodes, 1995-2000)
          - Episode dated 26 December 2000 (2000) TV episode .... Himself
          - Episode dated 24 July 1995 (1995) TV episode .... Himself
  24. What Women Want (2000) (uncredited) .... Himself

  25. "Figure It Out" (1997) TV series .... Himself/panelist (1999)
      ... aka Figure It Out: Family Style (USA: third season title)
      ... aka Figure It Out: Wild Style (USA: fourth season title)
  26. "The Howard Stern Radio Show" .... Himself (1 episode, 1999)
          - Episode dated 24 April 1999 (1999) TV episode .... Himself
  27. "Howard Stern" .... Himself (2 episodes, 1996-1999)
          - Episode dated 2 February 1999 (1999) TV episode .... Himself
          - Episode dated 29 August 1996 (1996) TV episode .... Himself
  28. Tone and Sweat (1998) (V) .... Himself
  29. Love to Stretch (1998) (V) .... Himself
  30. Farewell to Fat (1998) (V) .... Himself
  31. "All My Children" .... Himself (1 episode, 1995)
      ... aka All My Children: The Summer of Seduction (USA: promotional title)
          - Episode dated 21 June 1995 (1995) TV episode .... Himself
  32. Disco Sweat (1995) (V) .... Himself
  33. "Saturday Night Live" .... Himself (1 episode, 1994)
      ... aka NBC's Saturday Night (USA: first season title)
      ... aka SNL (USA: informal title)
      ... aka SNL 25 (USA: alternative title)
      ... aka Saturday Night (USA: second season title)
      ... aka Saturday Night Live '80 (USA: sixth season title)
      ... aka The Best of Saturday Night Live (USA: rerun title)
          - Jason Patric/Blind Melon (1994) TV episode (uncredited) .... Himself
  34. Circus of the Stars and Sideshow (1992) (TV) .... Performer
      ... aka Circus of the Stars #17 (USA: series title)
  35. "Evening Shade" .... Himself (1 episode, 1992)
          - Harlan Deals-A-Meal (1992) TV episode .... Himself
  36. "The Larry Sanders Show" .... Himself (1 episode, 1992)
          - The Warmth Episode (1992) TV episode .... Himself
  37. "The Howard Stern Show" .... Himself (3 episodes, 1990-1992)
      ... aka The Howard Stern Summer Show (USA: promotional title)
          - Episode dated 11 January 1992 (1992) TV episode .... Himself
          - Episode dated 20 July 1991 (1991) TV episode .... Himself
          - Episode dated 28 July 1990 (1990) TV episode .... Himself
  38. Sweat & Shout: An Aerobic Workout (1992) (V) .... Himself
      ... aka Sweatin' to the Oldies 4 (USA)
  39. Stretchin' to the Classics (1991) (V) .... Himself
  40. Sweatin' to the Oldies 3 (1991) (V) .... Himself
  41. "Match Game" .... Himself (1 episode, 1990)
      ... aka Match Game '90 (USA)
          - Episode dated 3 December 1990 (1990) TV episode .... Himself
  42. Circus of the Stars #15 (1990) (TV) .... Performer
  43. Sweatin' to the Oldies 2 (1990) (V) .... Himself

  44. "The New Hollywood Squares" .... Center Square / ... (11 episodes, 1986-1989)
          - Episode dated 3 February 1988 (1988) TV episode .... Himself - Panelist
          - Episode dated 12 October 1987 (1987) TV episode .... Center Square
          - Episode dated 25 May 1987 (1987) TV episode .... Guest Appearance
          - Episode dated 23 February 1987 (1987) TV episode .... Guest Appearance
          - Episode #1.85 (1987) TV episode .... Center Square
            (6 more)
  45. Sweatin' to the Oldies (1988) (V) .... Himself
  46. Circus of the Stars #12 (1987) (TV) .... Performer
  47. "Super Password" .... Himself (1 episode, 1986)
          - Episode dated 13 January 1986 (1986) TV episode .... Himself
  48. Richard Simmons and the Silver Foxes: Fitness for Senior Citizens (1986) (V) .... Himself
  49. "Amazing Stories" .... Himself (1 episode, 1985)
      ... aka Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories (USA: complete title)
          - Remote Control Man (1985) TV episode .... Himself
  50. Richard Simmons: Get Started (1985) (V) .... Himself
  51. "Family Feud" .... Himself (1 episode, 1983)
      ... aka Family Fortune (UK)
      ... aka The Best of Family Feud (USA: reissue title)
          - Battle of the Perfect 10s (1983) TV episode .... Himself
  52. Caribbean Cruise (1983) (TV) .... Himself
      ... aka Anne Murray's Caribbean Cruise (USA: complete title)
  53. "Dance Fever" .... Himself (1 episode, 1982)
          - Episode dated 13 November 1982 (1982) TV episode .... Himself
  54. "Fame" .... Himself (1 episode, 1982)
          - Teachers (1982) TV episode .... Himself
  55. "CHiPs" .... Himself (1 episode, 1982)
      ... aka CHiPs Patrol (USA: syndication title)
          - Meet the New Guy (1982) TV episode .... Himself
  56. "All American Ultra Quiz" (1981) TV mini-series .... Assistant
  57. "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" .... Himself (1 episode, 1981)
      ... aka The Best of Carson (USA: rerun title)
          - Episode dated 25 August 1981 (1981) TV episode .... Himself
  58. All-Star Salute to Mother's Day (1981) (TV) .... Himself

  59. "General Hospital" (1963) TV series .... Himself (unknown episodes, 1979)

Archive Footage:

   1. "The Situation with Tucker Carlson"
          - Episode dated 14 March 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself
   2. "Howard Stern on Demand"
          - Best of 04/09-04/12, 2007 (2007) TV episode .... Himself
          - Gary's Wedding Video (2006) TV episode .... Himself
   3. "20 to 1"
          - Crazes and Phases (2006) TV episode .... Himself
   4. "CMT Insider"
          - Episode dated 29 April 2006 (2006) TV episode .... Himself