16 episodes

On February 15, 2014, fitness guru Richard Simmons disappeared. He stopped teaching his regular exercise class at Slimmons, cut off his closest friends, and removed himself from the public eye after decades as one of the most accessible celebrities in the world. Nobody has heard from him - and no one knows why he left. Filmmaker Dan Taberski was a Slimmons regular and a friend of Richard’s. Missing Richard Simmons is Dan’s search for Richard - and the deeper he digs, the stranger it gets. Listen to the podcast The New York Times calls "a cultural phenomenon."
Headlong is Dan Taberski’s documentary podcast that explores the lives of overlooked people, moments and events in our culture. Season 2 is Surviving Y2K. Season 3 is Running From COPS.

Headlong: Missing Richard Simmons Topic / Pineapple Street Media / Dan Taberski

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.4 • 5.7K Ratings

On February 15, 2014, fitness guru Richard Simmons disappeared. He stopped teaching his regular exercise class at Slimmons, cut off his closest friends, and removed himself from the public eye after decades as one of the most accessible celebrities in the world. Nobody has heard from him - and no one knows why he left. Filmmaker Dan Taberski was a Slimmons regular and a friend of Richard’s. Missing Richard Simmons is Dan’s search for Richard - and the deeper he digs, the stranger it gets. Listen to the podcast The New York Times calls "a cultural phenomenon."
Headlong is Dan Taberski’s documentary podcast that explores the lives of overlooked people, moments and events in our culture. Season 2 is Surviving Y2K. Season 3 is Running From COPS.

    Introducing Headlong: Surviving Y2K | November 13

    Introducing Headlong: Surviving Y2K | November 13

    December 31, 1999: As midnight approached, the world braced for disaster. Then, nothing happened.

    • 3 min
    1: Where's Richard? | Missing Richard Simmons

    1: Where's Richard? | Missing Richard Simmons

    On February 15, 2014 Richard Simmons didn’t show up to teach the exercise class he had led for 40 years. He hasn't been seen in public since. Filmmaker Dan Taberski starts investigating the disappearance of his friend.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    • 28 min
    2: Stakeout | Missing Richard Simmons

    2: Stakeout | Missing Richard Simmons

    Dan begins to explore the main theories about Richard’s disappearance. A lot of his friends think Richard may just be sitting in his house. So that's where we go.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    • 31 min
    3: The Maid and the Masseuse | Missing Richard Simmons

    3: The Maid and the Masseuse | Missing Richard Simmons

    The two people closest to Richard at the time of his disappearance hate each other. This episode is about them. Plus, Dan investigates possible claims of a hostage situation and explains what’s up with Richard’s (still very active) social media presence.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    • 26 min
    4: "Till the Day I Die" | Missing Richard Simmons

    4: "Till the Day I Die" | Missing Richard Simmons

    We head to New Orleans, Richard’s hometown. From the food to the burlesque to the Southern religiosity, this city shaped young Dickie Simmons into the Richard we all know. It’s also where his brother lives. Dan tries to make contact.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    • 27 min
    5: O Brother, Where Art Thou? | Missing Richard Simmons

    5: O Brother, Where Art Thou? | Missing Richard Simmons

    Dan talks to Lenny Simmons, Richard’s brother. Then he looks into some of the stranger, more personal aspects of being a Richard Simmons fan.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    • 29 min

Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5
5.7K Ratings

5.7K Ratings

Llz law ,

Richard Facebook

Recently he has been posting daily messages to his page. I wonder is this him? Is he slowly coming back out?

Rafiraw ,

What an impactful life!

I was totally invested. I’ll just say. The one who helps 10,000 people today is a hero. No matter if they never help again tomorrow. That said: It is hard to really know people like Richard. They truly care and see people. For most of us that is so rare that we feel it must be love. The only thing is no one truly saw him in return, only the love was seen and it led to an imbalance. Nobody’s fault. But the weight of 10000 feathers will still crush you. Soooo Bye, Girl Bye Richard Simmons! You’re a wonder!

MylissaR ,

Morally shameful

What kind of person fabricates lies about someone, then tells anyone who will listen? All while simultaneously claiming to love them? Not a good person! This is shameful. Disgusting. Simmons retired. He wants to relax, be alone, dial it down. SO?!? Why would anyone think he owed them an explanation as to how he he spends his time? This guy spits all over Simmons’ reputation while calling himself his friend. It’s repulsive. He literally uses him. Preys on him like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Which is why Richard has cut off all contact with him and the NYT’s wrote an article calling out Dan as morally bankrupt. Don’t waste your time listening to this. It ends with Dan telling you Richard is not missing. He ends by telling you he’s fine, healthy, happy, and fit. What a shameful scam!

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