Richard Simmons

Milton Teagle "Richard" Simmons (born July 12, 1948) is an American fitness instructor, actor, and comedian. He promotes weight-loss programs, prominently through his Sweatin' to the Oldies line of aerobics videos and is known for his eccentric, flamboyant, and energetic personality. Simmons began his weight-loss career by opening a gym called Slimmons in Beverly Hills, California, catering to the overweight, and he became widely known through exposure on television and through the popularity of his consumer products. He is often parodied and was a frequent guest of late night television talk shows, such as the Late Show with David Letterman and The Howard Stern Show. Simmons has continued to promote health and exercise through a career spanning several decades, and later broadened his activities to include political activism – notably in 2008 in support of a bill mandating non-competitive physical education in public schools as a part of the "No Child Left Behind Act". However, he has not appeared in public since February 2014, and his gym quietly closed in late 2016 without him making any public statement. His disappearance from the public eye has led to ongoing speculation and expressions of concern about his well-being. Simmons and those who have been in contact with him have said the concerns are unwarranted. 2Early life Simmons was born Milton Teagle Simmons in New Orleans, Louisiana, on July 12, 1948, the son of Leonard Douglas Simmons, Sr. and Shirley May (née Satin