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
    • 4.2 • 307 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

4.2 out of 5
307 Ratings

307 Ratings

JessHall88 ,

Captivating

What a weird and amazing story! Thank you, for totally hooked

lozhere ,

Podcaster thinks the world owes me

Privileged host. Half way through so I imagine the story may change but shaming a place for not cleaning your dogs sick...what a t w a t

Twiggy_23456 ,

Different 😊

Not my usual type of podcast but I loved every minute. Fascinated by the topic and brilliant story telling my a true fan! Highly recommend

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

Miss Me?
BBC Sounds
The Louis Theroux Podcast
Spotify Studios
How To Fail With Elizabeth Day
Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment
Desert Island Discs
BBC Radio 4
The Apple & The Tree
Daily Mail
Happy Place
Fearne Cotton

You Might Also Like

How To Destroy Everything
HTDE
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network
The Opportunist
PodcastOne
Infamous
Campside Media / Sony Music Entertainment
Serial
Serial Productions & The New York Times
Dear Alana,
Tenderfoot TV & iHeartPodcasts

More by Topic

Headlong: Surviving Y2K
Topic / Pineapple Street Media / Dan Taberski
Headlong: Running from COPS
Topic / Pineapple Street Media / Dan Taberski
Politically Re-Active with W. Kamau Bell & Hari Kondabolu
Topic Studios
Rough Draft with Reza Aslan
Topic
The Report Podcast
Amazon Studios with Topic Studios