Milton Teagle Simmons (born July 12, 1948), known professionally as Richard Simmons, is an American (United States) fitness (physical fitness) personality (celebrity) who promotes weight-loss programs, most famously through his Sweatin to the Oldies line of aerobics videos and DVDs and is known for his eccentric, outgoing personality. Simmons began his career opening a gym (Slimmons in Beverly Hills, CA) catering to the overweight, and he became widely known through exposure on television and through the popularity of his consumer products. He became a striking cultural icon, often parodied, and a frequent guest of late night television talk shows such as The Late Show With David Letterman. Today, Simmons continues his life-long mission of promoting health and has broadened his activities to include political activism, notably in support of a bill mandating non-competitive physical education in public schools as a part of the "No Child Left Behind" act.