Movies

Pauly Shore becomes Richard Simmons in new short film The Court Jester: 'You're nuttier than a squirrel turd!'

The actor will also play the oldies-lovin' fitness guru in a forthcoming feature.

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Published on January 20, 2024 03:06PM EST

Five, six, seven, eight! Pauly Shore has officially made his film debut as the fabulous fitness guru Richard Simmons in the new short The Court Jester.

Written and directed by Jake Lewis, the 10-minute project premiered last night at the Cabin in Park City, Utah near the ongoing 2024 Sundance Film Festival. An additional screening is set to be held at the Cabin on Jan. 22, but anyone unable to attend can watch the film in full on the Lewis Brothers’ YouTube channel now.

“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. “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.”

The heartfelt film follows an ignored, belittled segment producer named David (Jesse Heiman) who has a life-changing encounter with Shore’s Simmons while working backstage at a popular Ellen-like talk show. During their brief run-in, Simmons encourages David to love himself and find moments of peace in his everyday life.

“If you like yourself, you’re going to be fine, and I have a sense you haven’t been the kindest person to yourself lately, have you?” Simmons asks, before promptly adding, “But if I’m wrong, just say, ‘Richard, you’re nuttier than a squirrel turd!’”

Even better? Shore is also attached to play the Sweatin' to the Oldies legend in a separate, full-length feature film currently in development from Warner Bros. subsidiary the Wolper Organization.

Earlier this week, Simmons renounced that forthcoming film in a Facebook statement.

"Hi everybody! You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read,” he wrote. “I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support."

The Court Jester Pauly Shore as Richard Simmons — Pauly Shore as Richard Simmons in 'The Court Jester'.
Issak Morin

In response, the Wolper Organization issued a statement that the film aims to pay tribute to Simmons’ life and work.

“While we would love to have him involved, we respect his desire to privacy and plan to produce a movie that honors him, celebrates him, and tells a dramatic story,” it read. “We know he is deeply private and we would never want to invade that; however, he is an amazing person that changed millions of peoples' lives, and the effect he has had on the world needs to be recognized.”

Shore told EW this week that while he hasn't been able to speak to Simmons yet, he hopes the zany aerobics instructor will change his view on the upcoming film.

“My hope is that he sees that it looks good, it feels good, it's right," he said. "And then he might just say 'f--- it' at some point — 'I'm down. I'll help you guys, I'll be part of it, and I'll hold your hand.' We'll all hold each other's hands and we'll work together."

"Richard Simmons was a very, very, very special man, and he had a huge message," Shore added. "And I think that message now is even bigger than it was back then. I just do.”

Watch The Court Jester in full above.

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