Why Pauly Shore Wants to Play Richard Simmons in a Movie: 'This Is the Biopic That America Needs'

The comedian reacted to a viral meme that showed how similar the two looked, and says he'd love to play the former fitness guru in a movie: 'We're old friends'

Pauly Shore is ready to squeeze his buns on the big screen.

The actor and comedian, has responded to a viral meme showing how similar he looks to fitness and self-help guru Richard Simmons, 75, with the caption, "Someone is going to write a Richard Simmons biopic and Pauly Shore is going to win an Oscar."

Shore posted a response on his Instagram, noting, "I can definitely morph into this guy."

According to Shore, 55, it actually wouldn't be a stretch whatsoever to play Simmons.

"I was doing my own 'Sweating With the Wiez' series on Instagram," Shore tells PEOPLE about his workout regimen that he used to perform in his backyard, and would then post on his social channel. "There's also joy we both have and love to share, and a flamboyancy. We're both very physical, we're both over the top and silly. So there are all those parallels that make sense."

The two were also very friendly with each other back in the day.

"I would always see him driving his Rolls Royce down Sunset Boulevard in the '80s and '90s, waving to everyone, and he'd always pull over and say hi," Shore recalls. "We'd mess around, and he'd come and see my mom Mitzi at the Comedy Store. It was just mutual joy when we'd see each other."

Shore adds that he thinks so many people are responding to the idea of a Simmons biopic because of how he touched their lives.

"He helped so many people," Shore says. "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. A Richard Simmons movie could unite America!"

However, it's been nearly 10 years since Simmons was last seen in public, and while Shore says he's been trying to get in contact with the former megastar, he hasn't had much luck yet.

Related: Richard Simmons Is 75! The Fitness Icon Is 'Happy' amid 'Milestone' Birthday, Rep Says

"I reached out but his handler, who said, 'Hey, Richard remembers you and loves you, but he just wants to chill right now,' " Shore says. "But so many people are so interested that I'd love to do it, not just for the movie's sake, but to authentically tell his life story as a friend. What was his childhood? Who were his siblings? How did he become who he did?"

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Shore, who still lives near his mother's famed comedy club when he's not touring the world with his stand up comedy act (he'll be playing SkankFest this weekend in Las Vegas) adds that everyone loves a good comeback story —  which it would be for both of them.

"Everyone would want to see this," he adds with a laugh. "Let's make it happen!"

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