Just weeks after Richard Simmons passed away at the age of 76, there’s still conflict between Simmons and his family over actor Pauly Shore’s plans to make a biopic about the fitness legend’s life.
Shore revealed earlier this year that he was in talks to play the lead role in a film about the workout video icon’s life, but Simmons quickly made it clear he wasn’t keen.
“Hey everyone!” Simmons wrote on social media in January. “You may have heard that a movie may be being made featuring Pauly Shore and me. I have never given permission for this movie to be made, so please take everything you read with a pinch of salt.”
He added, “I’m just trying to live quietly and peacefully. Thank you all for your love and support.”
Fitness guru Pauly Shore’s portrayal of Richard Simmons is happening “whether we like it or not.”
It’s been just weeks since Richard Simmons passed away, but conflict remains between his family and the actor over actor Pauly Shore’s plans to make a biopic about the fitness legend’s life. (Evan Agostini/Harry Langdon)
This week, Shore Tonight’s Entertainment Despite Simmons’ objections and death, he said he intended to go ahead with making the film.
“I know that’s what he wanted me to do,” Shore said in a car interview. “I don’t know if it was him that was tweeting the whole time. I don’t know who it was.”
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“Pauly Shore recently made a comment to Entertainment Tonight about trying to move forward with an unauthorized film about Richard. You may have seen what he had to say about the biopic on Richard’s account,” Simmons’ staff wrote on Wednesday.
The staff member added: “We’d also like to share the following statement from Richard’s brother, Lenny: ‘Dickie definitely wrote the post himself. He worked on it a week in advance and read it over and over again to ensure it conveyed the right message. He often read it to Kathy and me in advance.”
Renee added: “What he didn’t do was text or email or call Paulie. He didn’t even say ‘good luck’ as Paulie had said on multiple occasions.”
A representative for Simmons confirmed Rennie’s statements to Fox News Digital.
“If the opportunity presented itself to star in a Richard Simmons biopic, I would do it because I take my role very seriously. I would immerse myself in the body, soul and spirit of Richard Simmons,” Shore said on Instagram in January.
Simmons died of a heart attack on July 13, one day after his 76th birthday. (Getty Images)
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He added, “Richard, if you’re watching this, only love, brother, only love. And let’s see if we can make this happen. If we work together we can create something so beautiful for people to see and we can spread your word.”
The film is a compilation of Shore’s films about Simmons.Court Jester” was made before Christmas and screened at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
“What he didn’t do was text or email or call Paulie. He didn’t even ‘wish him well’ as Paulie had said on multiple occasions.”
Richard Simmons buried surrounded by family and close friends
In September, Shore said she had contacted Simmons about the biopic, saying, “His representative said that although Richard loves me and my mother (he’s known us for decades), Richard has respectfully declined. He said Richard wishes to keep his privacy at this time, which we all need to respect. Richard, we all miss you and love you very much and wish only the best for you. You are in all of our hearts. If you change your mind you can contact me anytime.”
Simmons died of a heart attack on July 13, one day after his 76th birthday.
“I don’t want people to mourn for my brother,” Renee Simmons wrote on social media after his death. “I want people to remember the pure joy and love he brought to people’s lives. He truly cared about people. He called, wrote and emailed thousands of people throughout his career asking for their help.”
Lenny Simmons released a statement saying his brother “never texted, emailed or called Paulie, not even to say ‘good luck’ as Paulie has repeatedly said.” (Getty Images)
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Shore paid tribute to Simmons on social media the day he died.
“Like all of you, I just received news that the beautiful Richard Simmons has passed away,” he wrote alongside a photo of the fitness legend. “May he rest in peace in heaven. Please give big hugs and kisses to your mom Mitchie and dad Sammy. Richard, you are one of a kind. Amazing life, amazing story. They ripped the dolphins’ pants when they made you. Rest in peace my friend. Rest in peace.”
He also shared a video of the couple he met at GalaxyCon in North Carolina, and said he thought “The Court Jester” was “Oscar-worthy.”
Shore revealed earlier this year that he was in talks to play the lead role in a film about the workout video icon’s life, but Simmons quickly made it clear he wasn’t keen. (Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)
“We loved it. Please make a full-length movie out of it,” the man told Shore at the convention.
Shore added in the caption, “We love you Richard! Such an amazing story.”
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In January, Shore told Variety that telling the story “always comes from love. There’s never been any desire for revenge. I’m not Borat. I’m not like, ‘Let’s make fun of somebody.’ It’s the opposite. At this point, it’s an unauthorized biopic and they get made every day. Yes, I’d like to sprinkle some pixie dust on him and say, ‘Go for it, Paulie.’ I don’t want to bother him. I want him to leave me alone and I don’t want to bother him. I want to pay him respects and kiss his feet and say he did a great job.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Shore for comment.
