Richard Simmons
| Richard Simmons | |
|---|---|
Simmons on September 23, 2011
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| Born |
Milton Teagle Simmons July 12, 1948 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Residence | Beverly Hills, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Milton Teagle Simmons Milton Simmons Richard Teagle Simmons |
| Occupation | Fitness guru, actor, comedian |
| Years active | 1978-present |
| Height | 5 ft 6.5 in (1.69 m) |
| Website | www |
Milton Teagle "Richard" Simmons (born July 12, 1948) is an American fitness guru, 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.
Simmons continues to promote health and has broadened his activities to include political activism, notably in support of a bill mandating non-competitive physical education in public schools as a part of the "No Child Left Behind Act".
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). He was born to show business parents and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. He has one older brother named Leonard, Jr. His father was raised Methodist and worked as a master of ceremonies and later in thrift stores. His mother was Russian Jewish and was a traveling fan dancer and later a store cosmetics saleswoman.
Simmons later converted to Catholicism and attended Cor Jesu High School, known today as Brother Martin High School.
He suffered from asthma for many years and was obese throughout his adolescence. By the time he graduated from high school, he weighed 268 pounds (122 kg). As a young man, he considered being a priest.
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