Renowned fitness icon Richard Simmons has voiced his objection to an upcoming biopic that features comedian Pauly Shore portraying him, mere hours after the project was disclosed to the public.
In a Facebook post, Simmons asserted, “Hi Everybody! You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read. I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support.”
Titled “The Court Jester,” a short film also starring Shore as Simmons is set to debut at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 19 and later on YouTube. It’s important to note that this short film is distinct from the biopic, produced by Warner Bros. subsidiary The Wolper Organization.
Responding to Simmons’ disapproval, The Wolper Organization conveyed in a statement to Variety, “While we would love to have [Simmons] involved, we respect his desire for privacy and plan to produce a movie that honors him, celebrates him, and tells a dramatic story.”
The production company further stated, “We know he is deeply private, and we would never want to invade that; however, he is an amazing person that changed millions of people’s lives, and the effect he has had on the world needs to be recognized.”
Simmons, a fitness luminary, gained fame for his vibrant personality and successful “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” aerobics videos. His sudden withdrawal from the public eye in 2014 caused widespread concern. In a 2016 phone interview with “Today,” Simmons clarified that he was not being held hostage but rather preferred a life of privacy.
Despite not securing Simmons’ approval for the role, Shore expressed enthusiasm about portraying him. In a statement, Shore declared, “I’m really excited about sharing Richard Simmons’s life with the world. We all need this biopic now more than ever. Simmons represented mental health, getting people in shape, and being his authentic silly self! Whenever he was on TV, you could never take your eyes off of him, and he brought such joy to his appearances that represented nothing but a good time.”
Mark Wolper of The Wolper Organization revealed that the studio is engaging in “serious discussions with a major writer” to develop the biopic as a “dramatic and heartfelt feature in the tone of ‘Little Miss Sunshine.’”
“We have been dancing around the idea for years, but it never coalesced until several months ago when I saw the press about Pauly Shore being touted by social media as the ONLY person that could play Richard,” Wolper said.
