16 episodes

On February 15, 2014, fitness guru Richard Simmons disappeared. He stopped teaching his regular exercise class at Slimmons, cut off his closest friends, and removed himself from the public eye after decades as one of the most accessible celebrities in the world. Nobody has heard from him - and no one knows why he left. Filmmaker Dan Taberski was a Slimmons regular and a friend of Richard’s. Missing Richard Simmons is Dan’s search for Richard - and the deeper he digs, the stranger it gets. Listen to the podcast The New York Times calls "a cultural phenomenon."
Headlong is Dan Taberski’s documentary podcast that explores the lives of overlooked people, moments and events in our culture. Season 2 is Surviving Y2K. Season 3 is Running From COPS.

Headlong: Missing Richard Simmons Topic / Pineapple Street Media / Dan Taberski

- Society & Culture
- 4.4 • 5.6K Ratings

- NOV 8, 2018
Introducing Headlong: Surviving Y2K | November 13

Introducing Headlong: Surviving Y2K | November 13

December 31, 1999: As midnight approached, the world braced for disaster. Then, nothing happened.
- 3 min
- FEB 15, 2017
1: Where's Richard? | Missing Richard Simmons

1: Where's Richard? | Missing Richard Simmons

On February 15, 2014 Richard Simmons didn’t show up to teach the exercise class he had led for 40 years. He hasn't been seen in public since. Filmmaker Dan Taberski starts investigating the disappearance of his friend.

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- 28 min
- FEB 22, 2017
2: Stakeout | Missing Richard Simmons

2: Stakeout | Missing Richard Simmons

Dan begins to explore the main theories about Richard’s disappearance. A lot of his friends think Richard may just be sitting in his house. So that's where we go.

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- 31 min
- MAR 1, 2017
3: The Maid and the Masseuse | Missing Richard Simmons

3: The Maid and the Masseuse | Missing Richard Simmons

The two people closest to Richard at the time of his disappearance hate each other. This episode is about them. Plus, Dan investigates possible claims of a hostage situation and explains what’s up with Richard’s (still very active) social media presence.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 26 min
- MAR 8, 2017
4: "Till the Day I Die" | Missing Richard Simmons

4: "Till the Day I Die" | Missing Richard Simmons

We head to New Orleans, Richard’s hometown. From the food to the burlesque to the Southern religiosity, this city shaped young Dickie Simmons into the Richard we all know. It’s also where his brother lives. Dan tries to make contact.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 27 min
- MAR 15, 2017
5: O Brother, Where Art Thou? | Missing Richard Simmons

5: O Brother, Where Art Thou? | Missing Richard Simmons

Dan talks to Lenny Simmons, Richard’s brother. Then he looks into some of the stranger, more personal aspects of being a Richard Simmons fan.

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- 29 min

4.4 out of 5

5.6K Ratings

I’m invested

this guy sounds like B.J Novak

Great work

An even-handed approach to the why and how a perfectly healthy Richard Simmons vanished into his house without out a goodbye for ANYONE. Personally I think the guy should be brought out by a mob and put in the stocks. For all the good he did, he broke a lot of hearts, and I mean a lot. Why you gotta be that way Richard?

Thank you

Thank you for this podcast!! I have a new appreciation of Richard Simmons and especially the people in the recordings! Then to you the host.,…..phenomenal!! You are a natural and so fun to listen to!!
Thank you!!!!