As Hollywood continues to mourn the sudden loss of Richard Simmons, Pauly Shore pays tribute to the late fitness guru despite the duo’s past drama over a biopic.
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In an emotional post on Instagram, Shore shared a throwback pic of Simmons. “I hope you’re at peace and twinkling up in the heavens,” Pauly wrote.
“Please give my mother Mitzi and my father Sammy a big hug and a kiss for me. You’re one of a kind, RIchar. An amazing life. An amazing story. They broke the dolphin shorts when they made you. Rest in peace, my friend. Rest in peace.”
Richard Simmons passed away in the early hours of Saturday, July 13, in his Los Angeles residence.
Authorities went to his home after receiving a 911 call from the late fitness guru’s housekeeper around 10 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He celebrated his 76th birthday the day before.
While the official cause of death, sources revealed that Simmons fell in a bathroom of his residence.
Pauly Shore is set to play Richard Simmons in an upcoming bio. Shore had previously played the fitness star in the short film The Court Jester, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
However, drama occurred between Simmons and Shore when Simmons stated that he did not approve of the biopic.
“I just read that a man that I don’t know if writing my biopic starring Pauly Shore,” Simmons wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) in April. “I do not approve [of] this movie.”
Simmons added that he was in talks with major studios about creating his own biopic with some help. “Wait for this movie,” he added.
Pauly Shore Admitted He Cried After Richard Simmons Said He ‘Did Not Approve’ Of His Biopic
While responding to Richard Simmons’ disapproval over the upcoming biopic he is working on, Pauly Shore admitted he cried over the fitness guru’s remark.
“You guys, I was up all night crying regarding Richard Simmons’ tweet,” Shore wrote in an Instagram post. “Richard, how do you not approve of this move? I mean, really, who’se better to play you in a movie than ME?”
As he attempted to convince Richard Simmons that he’s the perfect actor for the role, Pauly Shore wrote, “Leonardo DiCaprio’s not gonna play you. Brad Pitt’s not gonna play you. I’m perfect. Everyone already thinks I’m you. We’re the same. Beautiful, inside and out.”
Shore also pointed out Simmons had yet to hear the pitch for the biopic. “Why don’t you simply let me come over to your house, bring you some warm matzo ball soup and a pastrami sandwich with dark mustard from Canters, rub your feet, and we can listen to the writer, Jordan Allen-Dutton, pitch you our idea?”
Pauly then added, “Richard, you’re going to love this movie. We’re going to make the most beautiful cinematic masterpiece that’s going to honor you in a way that you’ll drop to your knees and cry with joy and happiness.”
Despite the plea, Simmons made an update seemingly ignoring Shore. “Wow! I just got my fourth offer from studios who want to work with me on my biopic,” he wrote on Facebook. “I have so many ideas swimming in my head. I am writing the outline now. Wish me luck!”