Milton Teagle Simmons, known professionally as Richard Simmons, is an American fitness personality who promotes weight-loss programs, most famously through his aerobics videos and eccentric, flamboyant 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. Upon moving to Los Angeles in the 1970s, Simmons worked as the Maître d' at a restaurant in Beverly Hills. He developed an interest in fitness, but was dissatisfied with the unhealthy fad diet methods and the established gyms and exercise studios of the day which favored the already fit customer. It was his interest in fitness that helped him lose 123 lb (56 kg). Simmons later opened his own exercise studio, originally called The Anatomy Asylum, where emphasis was placed on healthy eating in proper portions and enjoyable exercise. The business originally included a salad bar restaurant called "Ruffage," though it was eventually removed as the focus of the Asylum shifted solely to exercise. Now called Slimmons, the establishment continues operations in Beverly Hills, and Simmons teaches motivational classes and aerobics throughout the week. Simmons is noted for his flamboyant, high-energy, motivational demeanor, an attribute he uses to help encourage people to lose weight. His high energy level is always featured in his workout videos. His trademark attire is candy-striped Dolfin shorts and tank tops decorated with Swarovski crystals. Simmons is known for interacting at a personal level with people using his products. This began by personally answering fan mail he received as a cast member of General Hospital. Simmons still personally answers emails and letters, and makes hundreds of phone calls each week to those who seek his help. He also talks to people on the air during his radio show, and holds weekly live chats in the "clubhouse" area of his website. His appearances also include a "meet and greet" time, so that people can speak to him one on one. Simmons claims to have few friends saying, "I don't have a lot to offer one person. I have a lot to offer to a lot of people." Aside from his three Dalmatians and two maids, Simmons lives alone in the Hollywood Hills. Although Simmons has never publicly confirmed his sexual orientation, his camp persona has fueled speculation about his sexuality. [READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE]
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