Richard Simmons
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Born: Milton Teagle Simmons
July 12, 1948 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Residence: Beverly Hills, California
Nationality: American
Education: Cor Jesu High School
Alma mater: University of Southwestern Louisiana, Florida State University
Occupation: Physical fitness expert, voice actor, political activist
Years active: 1974 - present
Home town: French Quarter, Louisiana
Television: The Richard Simmons Show, Fish Hooks
Religion: Catholic

Milton Teagle Simmons (born July 12, 1948), known professionally as Richard Simmons, is an American fitness personality and actor. Simmons promotes weight loss programs, prominently through his Sweatin' to the Oldies line of aerobics videos and is known for his eccentric, outgoing and frequently flamboyant 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 is 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.