Pauly Shore Says He ‘Was Up All Night Crying’ After Richard Simmons Said He Did Not Approve Planned Biopic

Pauly Shore is reacting to Richard Simmons saying he doesn't approve of the actor’s planned biopic.

On Thursday, April 25, Shore, 56, shared a lengthy Instagram response to Simmons’ latest message about the film. 

“You guys, I was up all night crying regarding Richard Simmons’ tweet,” the comedian wrote, alongside a screenshot of Simmons’ Facebook statement. “Richard, how do you not approve of this movie? I mean, really, who’s better to play you in a movie than ME?”

Shore went on to say that Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt were not likely to play Simmons, joking that “Everyone already thinks I’m you. We’re the same. Beautiful, inside and out.”

Next, Shore invited Simmons, 75, to hear his and writer Jordan Allen-Dutton’s pitch for the biopic, offering to bring “some warm matzo ball soup and a pastrami sandwich with dark mustard from Canters” to Simmons’ house. 

“I know you, Richard. We used to hang out back in the day,” Shore wrote. “I’d always see you at The Comedy Store. You’re my old buddy. 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.”

PEOPLE reached out to Simmons about Shore's post, but the fitness expert declined to comment at this time.

On Wednesday, April 24, Simmons told fans that he “just read a man that I don’t know is writing” the biopic starring Shore. He said he did not approve the movie and was “in talks with major studios” to create a film he supports.

In his Instagram post, Shore wrote that this was “amazing,” and there should be “hundreds” of movies about Simmons made.

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Shore acknowledged that some biopics made without their subjects’ approval have not turned out well, but he is sure his Simmons film will be “amaze-balls.”

“So... let me know when you want me to come over with yummy food from Canters, and Jordan and I will pitch you in your living room,” Shore wrote. “I love you, Richard, and so did my mom.”

The Shore-starring project was announced in January, just as his short film The Court Jester, in which he plays Simmons, debuted at the Sundance Film Festival. Simmons quickly confirmed on Facebook that he had “never given my permission for this movie.”

On Wednesday, Deadline reported that Allen-Dutton was hired to write the script for Shore’s movie. This news prompted Simmons to deny involvement in the project again.

"The Pauly Shore biopic does not have my blessing. Some major studios are interested with me being involved in MY story. Who should play me? Tom Cruise lol," Simmons, speaking through his publicist Tom Estey, said in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE Wednesday.

In September 2023, Shore told PEOPLE he believes a film about Simmons is the "biopic that America needs."

"He helped so many people," Shore said. "If you read people talking about him, they'd always be like, 'I was 400 pounds and Richard Simmons saved my life!' He was all about positivity and helping people. And there's so much angst and divisiveness in the world, so I think a dose of that positivity is what people need."