Pauly Shore paid a lovely tribute to the late Richard Simmons following his death on Saturday.
The comedian took to Instagram, posting a poignant message in the wake of the fitness guru's passing of natural causes at the age of 76.
Shore shared a photo of Simmons, captioning his post:
"I just got word like everyone else that the beautiful Richard Simmons has passed."
"I hope you’re at peace and twinkling up in the heavens."
He continued:
"Please give my mother Mitzi and my father Sammy a big hug and a kiss for me."
"You’re one of a kind, Richard."
"An amazing life. An amazing story."
The Encino Man actor finished his tribute:
"They broke the dolphin shorts when they made you."
"Rest in peace, my friend. Rest in peace."
Viewers of the post joined Shore in expressing their sadness over Simmons' passing.
@paulyshore/Instagram
@paulyshore/Instagram
@paulyshore/Instagram
@paulyshore/Instagram
@paulyshore/Instagram
@paulyshore/Instagram
Several people who were aware of Shore's love for Simmons and his story thanked him for his kind words and also sent their condolences.
@paulyshore/Instagram
@paulyshore/Instagram
@paulyshore/Instagram
@paulyshore/Instagram
Many also urged Shore to pay the ultimate tribute by continuing with his plans to play Simmons in a biopic.
@paulyshore/Instagram
@paulyshore/Instagram
@paulyshore/Instagram
@paulyshore/Instagram
Of course, Simmons himself wasn't on board with Shore's portrayal of him in a story about his life despite the comedian's persistence and passion for the project.
Shore did portray him in the short The Court Jester, which premiered at Sundance in January.
After the trailer dropped, Simmons, who had been very quiet on social media for years, tweeted:
"Hi Everybody! You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore."
"I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read."
"I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life."
In April, Simmons once again shared his disapproval of Shore portraying him in a bio pic written by "a man that I don't know," Jordan Allen-Dutton.
He tweeted:
"I just read that a man that I don’t know is writing my bio pic starring Pauly Shore."
"I do not approve this movie."
In addition, Simmons continued that he had his own biopic in the works.
"I am in talks with major studios to create my own bio pic with some help."
"Wait for this movie."
Shore responded to the news via Instagram, sharing that he "was up all night crying regarding Richard Simmons’ tweet."
Nevertheless, Shore persisted, addressing Simmons in his post:
"Richard, you’re going to love our movie."
"We’re going to make the most beautiful cinematic masterpiece that’s going to honor you in a way that you’ll drop to your knees and cry with joy and happiness."
