Milton Teagle Simmons (born July 12, 1948), known professionally as Richard Simmons, is an American fitness personality who promotes weight-loss programs, most famously through his aerobics videos and eccentric personality. Simmons began his career opening a gym catering to the overweight, and became widely known through exposure on television and through the popularity of his consumer products. He became a striking cultural icon, often parodied,...
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Milton Teagle Simmons (born July 12, 1948), known professionally as Richard Simmons, is an American fitness personality who promotes weight-loss programs, most famously through his aerobics videos and eccentric personality. Simmons began his career opening a gym catering to the overweight, and became widely known through exposure on television and through the popularity of his consumer products. He became a striking cultural icon, often parodied, and a frequent guest of late night television talk shows such as The Late Show With David Letterman. Today, Simmons continues his life-long mission of promoting health and has broadened his activities to include political activism, notably in support of a bill mandating non-competitive physical education in public schools.
Richard Simmons was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Simmons was raised Catholic and in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended Cor Jesu High School (now Brother Martin High School). He was obese...
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