Through an ongoing program of health, exercise, and nutritional education, blended with an unmatched ability for making the message palatable, Richard Simmons has without question played an invaluable role in improving the quality of life for Americans everywhere. Though the self-proclaimed "court jester of health" has used an irreverent sense of humor to help ease the struggles of the overweight, it would be impossible to overstate the serious good that he is doing, since obesity is known to be a factor in the three leading causes of death in this country.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Simmons prevailed over his own weight program before relocating to Los Angeles in 1973. Since there was no significant fitness movement at the time, Simmons attempted to find a health club that wasn't for people who were already in shape. As he recalls, "health clubs existed only for thin people."

Determined to bring health and fitness to the people who needed it the most, Simmons consulted with doctors and nutritionists to ensure the safety of a program he tailored to the needs of the overweight. By bringing much humor to the serious business of losing weight, he established an innovative place where the overweight were welcomed with open arms. The program met with instant success. To this day, some 16 years later, this unrivaled success continues at Slimmons in Beverly Hills.

Numerous local and national television and radio appearances in the mid-70s led to Simmons' four year run on General Hospital, followed by a highly successful Emmy Award-winning syndicated series. Now, in addition to best-selling books, albums, cassettes, and videos, Simmons averages some 250 personal appearances each year to promote physical well being.

With a genuine concern for "people who are in any way different," Simmons notes that "I fight for the underdog." He makes regular visits to nursing homes, high schools, maternity wards, children's hospitals, and rehabilitation centers in an ongoing effort to bring the benefits of an exercise program to those who don't have one.

By always creating new products and instituting new programs, such as his "Deal-A-Meal" food program and his Sweatin' to the Oldies (I, II, and III) exercise videos, Simmons remains at the forefront of the fitness movement. With a never-ending stream of ideas, he brings a boundless energy to his commitment of helping others to control their weight.

An ongoing source of inspiration, Simmons concludes, "I am continually finding ways to motivate people to eat better, exercise and feel good about themselves."