Shirley Satin Simmons, 87 (Richard's mother)
JBFranck99
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Shirley Satin Simmons, who appeared in television
commercials and exercise videos with her son, fitness guru Richard Simmons,
died Sunday. She was 87.
Mrs. Simmons, a New York City native, was a tap dancer when she met Leonard D.
Simmons Sr., a singer and master of ceremonies, at a theatrical boarding house
in Philadelphia in 1938, according to Leonard Simmons Jr.
They married and performed under the stage names Bobby and Shirley Leonard.
They moved to New Orleans in 1939, where Mrs. Simmons tap danced in Bourbon
Street variety shows.
After Leonard Jr. and Richard were born in 1946 and 1948, she abandoned show
business and went to work selling cosmetics. She retired in 1965.
When Richard Simmons became well known through his exercise programs and
fitness videos, his mother often was with him. She appeared in commercials with
him and did an exercise video, ``The Silver Foxes,'' with the parents of other
celebrities, including Sylvester Stallone's father and Dustin Hoffman's mother.
JBF
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