The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special

The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special is a documentary about the rise of the fitness personality Richard Simmons. It traces how he became a widely recognised figure and looks at the cultural impact that turned him into a household name. The film runs 42 minutes and was released on 12 May 2026.

Diane Sawyer wrote the screenplay and appears as herself, with Richard Simmons seen in archival footage and Rosie O'Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres also appearing as themselves. The programme pairs its account of Simmons's public career with reflections on the attention his fame attracted, drawing on both new contributions and older recorded material. Genres: Documentary.