ACTOR
Gene Simmons
- Known for
- Runaway (1984), The New Guy (2002)
49 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
Gene Simmons is an actor best known for Runaway and The New Guy.
All facts (49)
- #001
In his autobiography Kiss and Make-Up, Gene Simmons said his mother was the primary reason he never used drugs. Having survived the horrors of the Holocaust years earlier, she had already suffered enough, and he did not want to break her heart by becoming a drug addict.
- #002
Gene Simmons has never drunk alcohol, used drugs or smoked.
- #003
Before founding KISS, Gene Simmons was an elementary school teacher.
- #004
Gene Simmons is the son of Hungarian-Jewish parents Flóra "Florence" (Klein or Kovács) and Feri Yechiel Witz. His mother, from Jánd, was a Holocaust survivor. In his book "Sex Money KISS", Simmons wrote that his grandmother entered the gas chamber willingly alongside her own grandmother because she did not want his mother to die alone. Simmons's mother was the only member of her family to survive the Holocaust; she managed to survive partly thanks to her hairdressing skills (the wife of a Nazi German officer liked the way she did her hair and kept her on as her hairdresser).
- #005
Anyone who wants to sign with his own record label, Simmons Records, must accept one non-negotiable condition: no drugs.
- #006
Gene Simmons once said that he bought a ticket to one of his own shows, then went in and took his seat having completely abandoned his makeup and character. No one knew who he was.
- #007
According to the KISS members featured on VH1's Behind the Music (1997), their flamboyant costumes (created from various S&M sex outfits) and makeup grew out of their shared love of comic books and science fiction/horror films. According to Gene, each member (Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss and himself) shaped his stage character from his own personality. Gene loved horror films and chose "The Demon" as his character. Paul Stanley had always dreamed of being a stage star and became "Star-Child". Ace Frehley loved science fiction and chose the "Space Ace" character. And Peter Criss's "Cat Man" character was a nod to his upbringing in a tough neighborhood (he quoted "I had nine lives like a cat just make it out of there"). Gene says it was Ace Frehley who drew the KISS logo.
- #008
Gene Simmons speaks Hungarian, Hebrew, High German, Japanese and, of course, English.
- #009
In 1977 Gene Simmons discovered Van Halen and produced the demo that got them signed to Warner Brothers Records. Unfortunately, Simmons was unable to convince anyone at WB of the band's potential and had to drop them from the deal. KISS's manager at the time, Bill Aucoin, told Simmons he did not think Van Halen would have any commercial success (Van Halen's self-titled debut album went platinum, and their famous 1984 album sold more than 10 million copies and is diamond-certified).
- #010
Edward Van Halen begged Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley to let him join KISS during a period when Van Halen were having problems. Van Halen was playing guitar at a KISS session and, according to Simmons, impressed them with his use of synthesizers. Simmons ultimately told Van Halen that, despite his feelings about working with David Lee Roth, he had to make some sacrifices, because his musical talents would never be fully recognized in KISS's style.
- #011
Gene Simmons insured his tongue for an undisclosed sum.
- #012
Gene Simmons once considered becoming a rabbi.
- #013
KISS was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7080 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
- #014
After his father died in 2002, Gene Simmons learned that he had three half-sisters, Drora, Ogenia and Sharon, and a half-brother, Kobi.
- #015
Gene Simmons grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens.
- #016
Gene Simmons lived with Cher for several years.
- #017
Gene Simmons is one of the best fire-breathers in the world. The world record is a 27-foot flame; Gene can reach 15 feet.
- #018
Gene Simmons taught sixth grade at PS 75 in Spanish Harlem.
- #019
Gene Simmons gave Elijah Allman (Cher's son) his first guitar when he was 11 years old.
- #020
Gene Simmons's famous tongue has been measured at more than 7 inches long.
- #021
Gene Simmons attended a fundraising event for the Israel Defense Forces in Beverly Hills on November 6, 2015.
- #022
He has a son, Nick Simmons (b. 1989), and a daughter, Sophie Simmons (b. 1992), with Shannon Tweed.
- #023
Simmons describes himself as neither a Democrat nor a Republican, but votes according to the issues. He supports women's right to abortion, the environment and the separation of church and state, while he backed Bush in 2004 because he agreed with Bush's foreign policy positions.
- #024
A customized electric bass guitar, the "Gene Simmons Axe Bass," was created specifically for him by the South Korean giant Cort. The body of the instrument is shaped like an axe head, with a neck that serves as the handle.
- #025
During an interview with William Shatner for Shatner's Raw Nerve (2008), Gene explained how he and Paul Stanley came up with the name KISS. They knew they wanted a short, clear and attention-grabbing band name. For a while they toyed with the idea of calling their band "Fuck," with the plan that each record album they made would have a title containing a different version of the word (i.e.: Fuck You, Fuck Off, Fuck Me, Fuck Him, etc.). However, they later realized they would never sign a record deal with such a name, so Paul Stanley came up with "KISS" instead.
- #026
He has a business partner named Rich Abramson. Their company is known as Simmons Abramson Marketing.
- #027
He was offered the role of Nick Hurley in Flashdance but turned it down because of his schedule with KISS.
- #028
He is the designer of the axe-shaped bass guitar.
- #029
He is good friends with Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi.
- #030
A few years before founding KISS, he was playing in a band called Cathedral. Among the names the group considered before settling on KISS in 1973 were Albatross, The Crimson Harpoon and F**k. Paul Stanley was the band member who suggested KISS.
- #031
He prides himself on living his life like an open book. He has said that one of the first things he does when he gets involved with a woman is show her his famous book containing photographs of the countless women he has been with. This is done so that his prospective girlfriend understands what he is about and so that the relationship holds no secrets on his side.
- #032
He lives in Beverly Hills, California.
- #033
He launched the fashion label "Gene Simmons - Dragonfly."
- #034
He earned a bachelor's degree in Education from Richmond College, known as the College of Staten Island (CUNY), in Staten Island, New York.
- #035
He is the founder of Simmons Publishing, which publishes books and magazines.
- #036
He has been the publisher of Tongue magazine since late 2001. He is currently working on, among other things, a KISS-branded condom. Much of his post-KISS career will focus on producing feature films and creating new KISS merchandise.
- #037
He is a big Rolling Stones fan and has stated that the bass part on Bill Wyman's 1971 song 'Bitch' was a major inspiration.
- #038
Since KISS no longer occupies his time, Gene has a number of ventures he is pursuing: reviving his record label, $immons Records, acting in and producing feature films, founding his own Women of Wrestling league (with a W.O.W. magazine and clothing collection to follow), creating his own radio talk show and possibly even going on a speaking tour.
- #039
An ardent Zionist, Gene Simmons frequently promotes and attends fundraising events for Israel and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
- #040
There is a KISS tribute band in Seattle called Gene's Addiction.
- #041
Gene Simmons has had romantic relationships with artists such as Diana Ross, Cher, Doro Pesch and Shannon Tweed.
- #042
He is a co-founder of the famous hard rock band KISS, known for his outrageous antics and kabuki-like makeup.
- #043
Before founding KISS, Gene Simmons played in the bands Cathedral, Bullfrog Beer, Coffee, The Long Island Sounds and Wicked Lester. The last of these also included another future KISS member, Paul Stanley.
- #044
He graduated from Newton High School in Queens, New York, where he sang in the choir.
- #045
Gene Simmons is Tracy Tweed's brother-in-law.
- #046
He grew up at 33-51 84th Street in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York.
- #047
He graduated from PS 92 in Queens, New York.
- #048
He graduated from Pulitzer Junior High School in Queens, New York.
- #049
Gene Simmons was born on the same date as John Savage.
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