Hello, I made an account just to say thank you so much for putting together a more accurate Richard Simmons timeline. I’ve been trying to do a lot of research myself. I feel like he would’ve arrived in Florence in winter of 1969 (not January 68) based on what I’ve read, and seen. He transferred to Tallahassee in the fall of 1968 and from there went to Italy. Also, Someone who apparently knew the Simmons’ sent me a picture years ago from a family wedding in June of 68 and Richard was there. So he certainly arrived in Florence in early 1969, or Nov/Dec 68. And I definitely agree with you about the “multiple years for one event” thing. Drives me crazy. Like, in the book he says The Richard Simmons Show started in 1979, and then he says it was 1981. While there’s clearly advertisements showing a fall 1980 premiere. And then he says he “quietly” left General Hospital in 1980 to go straight to KTLA studios. Not true. It was 1982.
I just had to say my research “notes” as well. Thank you again for posting these articles and even the Cosmopolitan magazine pictures! That’s an EXTREMELY rare photo of Richard at that time (spring of 78). I also have a photo from August 1977 (clipped from a newspaper) and a black and white one that was seen on the 2022 Fox documentary, most likely from around when Anatomy Asylum opened in 1975 and he’s leading a workout. Hard to tell exactly when but it had to be around 1975-76 as his hair is shorter. I wish I could include it in my comment. There’s also college yearbook photos of Richard from 1968, with the straight hair. Who knows if anything exists from 1969-75. Somewhere, there has to be photos of 200+ lb Richard in Florence, in front of all the famous landmarks, but they’re probably all private and only viewed by family. Who would go to Italy and not pose for one photo?
Thanks for your comment, Steve! I agree - where are the photos from Italy???
Have you seen my latest post on Richard? There are several photos of Richard from 1972, given to me by his business partner at the time. Otherwise, I have yet to find anything from 1969-1971.
Hello, I made an account just to say thank you so much for putting together a more accurate Richard Simmons timeline. I’ve been trying to do a lot of research myself. I feel like he would’ve arrived in Florence in winter of 1969 (not January 68) based on what I’ve read, and seen. He transferred to Tallahassee in the fall of 1968 and from there went to Italy. Also, Someone who apparently knew the Simmons’ sent me a picture years ago from a family wedding in June of 68 and Richard was there. So he certainly arrived in Florence in early 1969, or Nov/Dec 68. And I definitely agree with you about the “multiple years for one event” thing. Drives me crazy. Like, in the book he says The Richard Simmons Show started in 1979, and then he says it was 1981. While there’s clearly advertisements showing a fall 1980 premiere. And then he says he “quietly” left General Hospital in 1980 to go straight to KTLA studios. Not true. It was 1982.
I just had to say my research “notes” as well. Thank you again for posting these articles and even the Cosmopolitan magazine pictures! That’s an EXTREMELY rare photo of Richard at that time (spring of 78). I also have a photo from August 1977 (clipped from a newspaper) and a black and white one that was seen on the 2022 Fox documentary, most likely from around when Anatomy Asylum opened in 1975 and he’s leading a workout. Hard to tell exactly when but it had to be around 1975-76 as his hair is shorter. I wish I could include it in my comment. There’s also college yearbook photos of Richard from 1968, with the straight hair. Who knows if anything exists from 1969-75. Somewhere, there has to be photos of 200+ lb Richard in Florence, in front of all the famous landmarks, but they’re probably all private and only viewed by family. Who would go to Italy and not pose for one photo?
Thanks again. Steve
Thanks for your comment, Steve! I agree - where are the photos from Italy???
Have you seen my latest post on Richard? There are several photos of Richard from 1972, given to me by his business partner at the time. Otherwise, I have yet to find anything from 1969-1971.
https://laurakitty.substack.com/p/working-with-richard-simmons