LOS ANGELES (NewsNation) — American fitness personality Richard Simmons is distancing himself from a potential feature-length film about his life.
“I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read,” Simmons wrote on Facebook.
According to Entertainment Weekly, footage of actor Pauly Shore playing Richard Simmons in the short film “The Court Jester” prompted a potential feature about Simmons, or at least his likeness.
Simmons, who has chosen to avoid the spotlight in recent years, said he no longer has a manager or publicist. “I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support,” he wrote on Facebook.
Shore had previously posted news about the project on Instagram.
“Pauly Shore plays Richard Simmons in biopic,” he wrote. “Hey guys, here’s where we’re at in the process. Check out the video. I’ll see you this weekend at #Sundance with @jakevlewis. ‘The Court Jester’ short premiers at @thecabinparkcity this Friday.”
Shore acknowledged Simmons’ reluctance but said on Instagram that he has reached out to him.
“I’ve noticed all the reactions to me playing #RichardSimmons in a new biopic,” Shore said on his Instagram. “So I reached out to him. I heard he’s living deep in Big Bear. We’ve been playing phone tag (yes, he still has a phone). I’m trying to make it happen for you guys. I definitely can morph into this guy.”
