Richard Simmons and David Letterman's Fiery Fallout

A fire extinguisher incident kept the fitness guru off Letterman's show for years

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Richard Simmons was a frequent guest on "The Late Show with David Letterman" in the 1990s, appearing over 30 times. However, a 2000 incident where Letterman sprayed Simmons with a fire extinguisher after Simmons touched Letterman's sensitive neck led to a falling out between the two, keeping Simmons off the show for six years until he made two more appearances in 2007 and 2008.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the unpredictable and sometimes volatile dynamic between late-night hosts and their guests, where playful pranks can sometimes cross a line and lead to long-lasting tensions. It also speaks to the challenges celebrities face in maintaining positive public images and relationships, even with those they consider close.

The details

According to reports, Simmons nearly had an asthma attack after Letterman sprayed him with the fire extinguisher, requiring an ambulance to be called. Letterman had previously injured his neck in a car accident, and Simmons had grabbed Letterman's neck during an embrace, prompting Letterman to use the extinguisher to get Simmons to stop. Simmons didn't understand Letterman's reaction at the time, and it's unclear if he ever found out the full context behind Letterman's actions.

  • In November 2000, the fire extinguisher incident occurred on the set of "The Late Show with David Letterman".
  • Simmons did not appear on Letterman's show for six years after the incident.
  • Simmons made two more appearances on Letterman's show in 2007 and 2008, before Letterman retired in 2015.

The players

Richard Simmons

A fitness guru who was a frequent guest on "The Late Show with David Letterman" in the 1990s.

David Letterman

The host of "The Late Show with David Letterman" who had a long and memorable history with Richard Simmons, including a falling out after a fire extinguisher incident in 2000.

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What they’re saying

“Simmons nearly fainted after Letterman sprayed him with a fire extinguisher one night. As a result, he had to be taken to the hospital.”

— Richard Simmons (CBS)

“Letterman injured his neck in a car accident somewhere around the late '80s, and that part of his body has been sensitive ever since. Simmons grabbed Letterman's neck during an embrace and refused to let up, so Letterman broke out the extinguisher to get him to stop, cursing him the whole way through (even letting out a 'f–k you' while the cameras were rolling).”

— Don Giller, Letterman archivist (VICE)

What’s next

The full details and context around the falling out between Simmons and Letterman remain unclear, as footage from the night of the incident is not publicly available. It's uncertain whether Simmons or Letterman was more responsible for Simmons' long absence from the show in the aftermath.

The takeaway

The incident between Simmons and Letterman serves as a cautionary tale about the delicate dynamics between late-night hosts and their guests, where playful antics can sometimes cross a line and lead to lasting tensions, even between those who were once close. It highlights the challenges celebrities face in maintaining positive public relationships.