Richard Simmons' Family Slams Pauly Shore for Claiming Simmons Didn't Write His Own Social Media Posts

Richard Simmons' family confirmed on X that he 'absolutely wrote his own posts'

Richard Simmons’ family has responded to Pauly Shore's recent claims about the late fitness guru,

Shore, whose decision to write and star in films about Simmons' life, including the short film The Court Jester was derided by Simmons on social media, recently said that he wasn't sure Simmons was actually behind the social media posts speaking out against the project.

When Shore's biopic was announced in January 2024, Simmons responded on Facebook that he had "never given my permission for this movie ... The Pauly Shore biopic does not have my blessing." The two entertainers went head-to-head on social media several times about the biopic before Simmons' death in July.

Shore, 56, told Entertainment Tonight on July 30 that he “didn’t even know if that was him tweeting the whole time” when it came to the biopic. But he still insisted that Simmons “wanted him” to make the biopic. 

On July 31, Simmons’ staff posted a statement from Simmons' brother Lenny on X (formerly known as Twitter) that confirmed “Dicky absolutely wrote his own posts.” 

“He worked on them a week in advance, going over and over them to get the right message,” he wrote in the statement. “He would often read them to Cathy and I beforehand.”

The statement also confirmed that Simmons did not “text, email or call Pauly with anything; not even to wish him ‘Good Luck’ as Pauly has stated many times.”

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Shore first shared a sneak peek at the film The Court Jester in January and told Entertainment Weekly that "I am him. I like helping people. I like health. I like putting that energy out there."

“I help comedians and people, and so I really relate to Richard,” he said. “And I've been going to the gym since I was a kid."

Related: Richard Simmons Says Pauly Shore Biopic 'Does Not Have My Blessing' (Exclusive)

Simmons posted on Facebook on April 24 that he did not approve the upcoming biopic or of Shore’s portrayal.

"I just read that a man that I don’t know is writing my bio pic starring Pauly Shore," he wrote at the time. "I do not approve this movie. I am in talks with major studios to create my own bio pic with some help. Wait for this movie."

Simmons also told PEOPLE in a statement that "The Pauly Shore biopic does not have my blessing. Some major studios are interested with me being involved in MY story.”

But despite the disapproval from Simmons, Shore told Entertainment Tonight that the biopic is still moving forward. He also responded with a screenshot of Simmons’ Facebook statement saying he was “up all night crying” about it and writing, "Richard, how do you not approve of this movie? I mean, really, who’s better to play you in a movie than ME?"

Simmons died at the age of 76 in his home in Los Angeles, California on July 13. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE on July 15 that Simmons’ cause of death is being investigated, but there "is no foul play."

Related: Richard Simmons Said 'I Know People Miss Me' in Emotional Final Interview 2 Days Before His Death (Exclusive)

His brother Lenny also confirmed to PEOPLE that the fitness coach’s funeral was held on Friday, July 19 in Los Angeles and was “surrounded by only family and closest friends."

"We pray for your continued love and support during this very difficult time," he concluded in the statement.

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