Pauly Shore wants to play Richard Simmons in biopic: I reached out

Pauly Shore wants to get sweatin’ to the oldies. 

The “Encino Man” actor, 55, said in a social media post that he’s attempting to get a Richard Simmons film made — with himself in the starring role as the 1980s fitness guru.

“I’ve noticed all the reactions to me playing Richard Simmons in a new biopic,” he wrote on Facebook. “So I reached out to him.”

Shore further claims he’s spoken on the phone to the reclusive Simmons, 75, who has not been seen in public since 2017.

“I heard he’s living deep in Big Bear,” Shore continued. “We’ve been playing phone tag (yes, he still has a phone). I’m trying to make it happen for you guys. Be optimistic. In the meantime, hit up Hulu, Amazon, Disney, HBO and all the big producers. I definitely can morph into this guy. I’ll see you at the Academy Awards 2025.”

Comparisons between Simmons and Shore are nothing new. When given the prompt “People always think I’m…” during a 1995 Q&A with the Chicago Tribune, Shore responded, “Richard Simmons.” 

The workout star has been the subject of public intrigue for years ever since he seemingly disappeared. He was last spotted outside his Beverly Hills mansion in a car under a blanket following a hospital stay. A 2017 podcast called “Missing Richard Simmons” tried to shed light on the situation. 

When the documentary “What Ever Happened To Richard Simmons?” was released in 2022, his spokesman told The Post, “Richard is eternally grateful for the continuous outpouring of love and gratitude he has received from across the Globe. He is happy, healthy and living the life he has chosen to live.”

While many bizarre rumors have proliferated, Simmons’ brother Lenny said he “just wants time for himself.”

Simmons’ most recent Facebook post came on Jan. 1, 2023, when he wished his fans a happy New Year.

“If you didn’t take good care of your health last year, start today and make this your year!” the post said. “Happy New Year to all of you!”

A few months later, Shore became the butt of a Jimmy Kimmel joke at the Oscars.

“Thirty-one years ago, in 1992, Brendan Fraser and Ke Huy Quan were in a movie together: ‘Encino Man,’” the Academy Awards host began. “Two actors from ‘Encino Man’ are nominated for Oscars. What an incredible night it must be for the two of you, and what a very difficult night for Pauly Shore. Maybe it’s time to reboot ‘Bio-Dome.’”