Pauly Shore to Play Richard Simmons in Biopic
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Pauly Shore is set to play fitness media mogul Richard Simmons in a feature film. The project is set up at the Wolper Organization.
Prior to the film, which the announcement notes is currently casting, Shore will be seen as Simmons in a short film, The Court Jester, which will be screening in Park City during the Sundance Film Festival but not in the fest’s lineup.
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Jake Lewis, who was behind the internet video “Robin Williams Test Footage,” directed Shore in the short, which is unrelated to the feature film.
The Court Jester will premiere at The Cabin in Park City on Jan. 19 prior to being made available on YouTube later that night.
Last year, a meme noting Simmons and Shore’s similar appearance went viral, with Shore taking to social media to say he was actively trying to contact Simmons about the possibility of a film. “I’ve noticed all the reactions to me playing Richard Simmons in a new biopic,” he wrote in September. “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. Be optimistic.”
“I’m really excited about sharing Richard Simmons’ life with the world. We all need this biopic now more than ever,” Shore said in a statement announcing the project. “Simmons represented mental health, getting people in shape and being his authentic silly self! Whenever he was on TV you could never take your eyes off of him and he brought such a joy to his appearances that represented nothing but a good time.”
A teaser trailer for The Court Jester can be seen below.
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