Highlights
- Richard Simmons faced harsh criticism from David Letterman during a Late Show interview about his steamer product.
- Despite the criticism, Simmons had a successful career and made money through various avenues.
- Simmons prioritized helping others over making a quick profit.
Before Richard Simmons suddenly disappeared in 2014, he was a welcome public presence thanks to his fun workout videos Sweatin' to the Oldies and his many TV appearances. While Howard Stern made Richard Simmons cry once, Simmons' interviews with David Letterman were often more positive experiences.
However, there was one time when Richard Simmons appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, and the TV host wasn't very supportive of one of the ways that the fitness star made money. Since Simmons was clearly excited about what he was promoting, this is an awkward interview to look back on...
David Letterman Poked Fun At The Richard Simmons Steam Heat Product In This Memorable Interview
Richard Simmons and David Letterman always seemed to get along great. Whenever the fitness star appeared on the late-night show, it seemed like he was having a good time and happy to be there. But during one interview, Richard Simmons talked about his steamer, and Letterman was pretty harsh.
The exercise star brought out the Richard Simmons Steam Heat steamer and when the late-night host looked perplexed by it, Simmons joked, "It's not a Go-Go cart, it's a steamer." As the audience laughed, he said that he put salmon and broccoli in there, and Letterman interrupted "You know what this reminds me of is the bamboo steamer. You can get it for like eight bucks..."
When Simmons said that "everything tastes alike" in that type of steamer, Letterman said that it was "delicious." Simmons was understandably upset that he was being interrupted.
Simmons said:
"Why am I doing this? It costs like 55 dollars and it's in all the stores... Well, it's less than that tie, David. That's a hundred and twenty-five dollar tie. I know that tie. You spent more money on your tie than my steamer."
When Simmons demonstrated how the steamer worked, it caught on fire. He screamed and ran away, and the audience kept laughing.
RelatedFans Went Wild When David Letterman Publicly Slammed Jay Leno During His Late Night Wars With Conan O'Brien
David Letterman delighted in calling Jay Leno out amid his feud with Conan O'Brien over The Tonight Show.Although David Letterman didn't seem to think that this steamer was a good idea, the product is just one example of how successful Richard Simmons is. He promoted the steamer through an infomercial, and while fans can't buy it any longer, they can at least watch the ad on YouTube. In the infomercial, Simmons made spicy chicken burritos and was his usual fun-loving and warm self.
Richard Simmons had many great David Letterman interviews during his public career. According to The New York Daily News, Simmons once came on the late-night show when "Sweetie Pie," his 1997 cookbook, came out. Letterman joked around and even tossed eggs into the air. Another time, in 1995, Letterman gave Simmons a doll that looked like Barbara Streisand because he knew that Simmons was a massive fan. Another interview that was tough to forget was when Simmons wore a turkey suit and Letterman used a fire extinguisher on him.
RelatedDavid Letterman Shocked Viewers By Complimenting One Of Mary-Louise Parker’s Body Parts On TV
What happened when Weeds star Mary-Louise Parker appeared on The Late Show With David Letterman?As The New York Post noted, Richard Simmons talked about David Letterman in an interview with Men's Health. Simmons called Letterman "standoffish" and said that they didn't have warm and friendly conversations off-camera.
Simmons explained:
"The last time I was on, we went to commercial and I was like, 'I'd love to meet your wife!' He was like, 'You never will'. And then I was like, 'And see your son!' And he was like, 'You'll never see him'. And then we come back from the commercial and he's all friendly with me again... You think I'm kidding, but I'm not making this up."
How Does Richard Simmons Make Money?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Richard Simmons has a $20 million net worth. He has made money from selling his Sweatin' to the Oldies fitness videos and also hosting various TV shows. Celebrity Net Worth noted that before he became famous, he was a fitness teacher in various malls in the United States. While he likely didn't make much money when he was starting out, he definitely began making more as time went on and he had more experience and exposure.
In 2017, E! News reported that the star was still earning money because he was working with Prominent Brand + Talent to put out merchandise.
What Were Richard Simmons's Sources Of Income? (According to E! News)
- hosted the radio show Lighten Up With Richard Simmons
- acted in TV shows
- created a doll line sold on HSN
- wrote 12 books about food and healthy living
- created Deal-A-Meal plans (which grossed $160 million)
RelatedDavid Letterman Didn't Think Conan O'Brien Should Have Been A Talk Show Host But Still Helped Him Become A Success
Conan O'Brien is celebrated as one of the best talk show hosts but David Letterman once though he wouldn't succeed at all.Simmons could have added to his net worth by selling his Beverly Hills workout studio. Before Simmons stopped appearing in public back in 2014, he taught three workout classes there. According to E! News, he charged $12 for each class. Considering how popular he was, that income would add up over time.
Of course, his main source of income seems to have always been his fitness videos. As the New York Post wrote:
"His 1988 VHS 'Sweatin’ To The Oldies' became the biggest selling fitness home video of all time, grossing north of $200 million."
In his 2012 interview with Men's Health, Simmons shared that he isn't a fan of agreeing to promote a product just because it's related to the fitness industry. While he has earned millions throughout his career, he has kept his genuine love for helping people, and he sticks to his values and principles.
Simmons said:
"I’ve been offered big money to promote machines. And high-protein diets, when that was really popular. There was always some new powder or diet plan that somebody wanted to put my name on. Anything that had to do with quick weight loss."
Simmons continued to Men's Health, "I just don’t believe in that stuff. There is no magic milkshake or workout machine. I think the real machine is your body."
Richard Simmons's Notable Acting Credits | Year (According to IMDb) |
|---|---|
Fame | 1982 |
Dinosaurs | 1992 |
The Larry Sanders Show | 1992 |
All My Children | 1995 |
Arrested Development | 2003-2004 |
Fish Hooks | 2010-2012 |
General Hospital | 1979-2013 |
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