Gene Simmons | |
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 Simmons in 2012 | |
| Born | Chaim Witz (1949-08-25)August 25, 1949 (age 76) Haifa, Israel |
| Other names |
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| Citizenship |
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| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1970–present |
| Spouse | |
| Partners | Cher (1978–1980) Diana Ross (1980–1983) |
| Children | |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
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| Formerly of | |
| Website | genesimmons |
Musical artist | |
Gene Simmons (bornChaim Witz;Hebrew:חיים ויץ[χaˈimˈvits]; August 25, 1949), also known by his stage persona "the Demon", is an Israeli-American musician. He was the bassist and co-lead singer of the hard rock bandKiss, which he co-founded withPaul Stanley,Ace Frehley, andPeter Criss in 1973. Simmons, alongside Stanley, remained a constant member of the band until their dissolution in 2023. Simmons is also known for his long tongue and for his reality television show,Gene Simmons Family Jewels, which aired from 2006 to 2012. He was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as a member of Kiss.
Simmons was born Chaim Witz on August 25, 1949 inHaifa,Israel[1][2] to Jewish refugees from Hungary. His mother, Flóra Kovács[citation needed] (later Florence Klein, then Florence Lubowski) (1925–2018),[3] was born inJánd in theNorthern Great Plain region of eastern Hungary. She survived internment inNazi concentration camps[4] from November 1944 to her liberation from theMauthausen camp in Austria on May 5, 1945.[5] She and her brother, Larry Klein, were the only members of the family to survivethe Holocaust. Witz's father, Ferenc "Feri" Yehiel Witz (1925–2002), was a carpenter whom Klein married in 1946; the couple moved to Israel the following year.[5]
Witz spent his early childhood inTirat Carmel and was raised in a practicing Jewish household. He has said that his family was "dirt poor", scraping by on rationed bread and milk.[6] At the age of seven, he began to pick wild fruit and sell it on roadsides together with a friend.[7]
At age eight, after his parents’ divorce, Witz and his motherimmigrated to the United States, settling inQueens,New York City. His father remained in Israel, where he had another son and three daughters. In the United States, Witz changed his name to Gene Klein, adopting his mother's maiden name. When he was nine, he briefly attended a Jewish religious school,Yeshiva Torah Vodaas, before transferring to a public school. He graduated fromNewtown High School.[8][9]
Klein attendedSullivan County Community College in New York. He graduated fromRichmond College[10] inStaten Island, New York with aBA inEducation[11] in 1970.[12]
Before his musical career began, Klein worked a variety of jobs in New York City. A proficient typist, he served as an assistant to an editor ofVogue. He also spent six months as a sixth grade instructor on theUpper West Side.[13]
Klein chose his stage name, Gene Simmons, in tribute to the rockabilly singerJumpin' Gene Simmons.[14] In other interviews, he claimed his stage name was inspired by actressJean Simmons; he used the title of her 1946 filmGreat Expectations for a song on the 1976 album "Destroyer". He practiced playing his guitar for hours on end.[15]
The Beatles had a significant influence on Simmons. "There is no way I'd be doing what I do now if it wasn't for the Beatles. I was watchingThe Ed Sullivan Show and I saw them. Those skinny little boys, kind of androgynous, with long hair like girls. It blew me away that these four boys [from] the middle of nowhere could make that music."[16]
Simmons became involved with his first band, Lynx, then renamed the Missing Links, when he was 15 in 1964–5.[17] Eventually, he disbanded the band to form the Long Island Sounds, the name being a pun on theLong Island Sound. In this band was also future Wicked Lester guitaristSteve Coronel, and future lawyer/author Alan Stuart Graf who convinced Simmons to buy his first bass as the band needed a bass player.[18] In 1967, after losing Graf the band morphed into The Love Bag.[19]
From 1968 to 1970, Simmons attendedSullivan County Community College inLoch Sheldrake, New York for two years. He joined a new band, Bullfrog Bheer. The band recorded various home demos includingLeeta; this was later included on the Kiss box set. The band existed until 1970 with various line-ups.[20]
Simmons, Coronel, and Brooke Ostrander who was in their 1969 band Coffee[21] formed the rock band first known as Rainbow and laterWicked Lester in the early 1970s with Stanley Eisen (now known asPaul Stanley).[22] The band recorded one album, which was never released in its entirety. Dissatisfied with Wicked Lester's sound and look, Simmons and Stanley attempted to fire their band members. Met with resistance, they instead quit Wicked Lester, walking away from their record deal withEpic Records as they decided to form the "ultimate rock band" in its place.
Kiss was formed in 1973.[23]
Looking for a drummer, Simmons and Stanley found an ad placed by George Peter John Criscuola (known asPeter Criss), who was playing clubs inBrooklyn at the time; they joined and started out as a trio.
During this time, Criss and Simmons also appeared on an unreleased album by Captain Sanity together with members from Criss' previous band Chelsea. Paul Frehley (better known asAce Frehley) responded to an ad they put inThe Village Voice for a lead guitar player, and soon joined them.Kiss released their self-titled debut album in February 1974. Stanley took on the role of lead performer on stage, while Simmons became the driving force behind what became an extensiveKiss merchandisingfranchise. The eye section of his "Demon" makeup with Kiss came from the wing design of comic book characterBlack Bolt.[24]
In 1983, as Kiss's popularity was starting to fade, the band decided to take off their iconic make-up in a bold move to reinvent themselves. The change paid off, sparking a renewed wave of success that carried through the 1990s. Around this time, original drummer Peter Criss was voted out of the band, and the group began looking for someone new to take his place. The new drummer was Paul Charles Caravello, who went by the stage name ofEric Carr, and played for Kiss from 1980 until his death in 1991. The band hosted its own fan conventions in 1995, and fan feedback about the original Kiss members reunion influenced the highly successful 1996–1997 Alive Worldwide reunion tour. In 1998, the band releasedPsycho Circus. Since then, the original lineup has once again dissolved, withTommy Thayer replacing Ace Frehley on lead guitar andEric Singer (who performed with Kiss from 1991 through 1996) replacing Peter Criss on drums.
In 1978, Simmons appeared in a made-for-television movie,Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park.[citation needed]
In 1981, Simmons auditioned atABC for a role in a newMarcy Carsey produced show called Grotus and was offered his own TV show, which he declined as the pay was lower than what he made with Kiss at the time.[25]
In 1985, Simmons appeared on the TV seriesMiami Vice in an episode titled "The Prodigal Son". The episode served as theseason premiere of the show's second season.[26] Simmons appeared as a psychic working at the Mystic Journey Bookstore inVenice, California on the American hidden camera prank TV seriesI Get That a Lot.[27] He also guest-starred as himself in the 2014CSI: Crime Scene Investigation episodeLong Road Home.
Simmons performed in the 1984Michael Crichton thrillerRunaway starringTom Selleck,Cynthia Rhodes andKirstie Alley as well as the 1987Gary Sherman action filmWanted: Dead or Alive starringRutger Hauer.[28]
In 2004, Simmons also appeared in the TV seriesThird Watch for two episodes. He played Mob Kingpin Donald Mann in the season 5 finale and the season 6 premiere.[29]
In March 2015, Simmons founded the film production company Erebus Pictures[30] and announced as the first project the horror-thriller filmArmed Response.[31]
In 2022, Simmons became a judge of the talent competition showYoshiki Superstar Project X, airing onHulu Japan and produced by Japanese musician and composerYoshiki.[32] On September 14, 2023, Simmons was one of the guest speakers chosen to introduce Yoshiki at his imprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre.[33]
In May 2023, Gary Hamilton ofArclight Films announced the creation of a new production company in partnership with Simmons, called Simmons/Hamilton Productions. The company aims to produce 25 films over five years, focusing on action, thriller, andfranchise titles. The first title isDeep Water directed by Finnish filmmakerRenny Harlin, produced by Simmons, Hamilton, Ying Ye, and Rob Van Norden.[34]
Other television projects include:
Simmons had his own magazine,Gene Simmons Tongue Magazine, his own label, Simmons Records, and animated series,My Dad the Rock Star. Simmons Records has released albums by such bands asKobra and the Lotus, Silent Rage, Gypsy Rose andHouse of Lords as well as Gene's own solo releases.[36]
In the 1980s, Simmons produced albums by bands includingKeel,Wendy O. Williams,Black'N Blue andDoro.[citation needed]
In 1989, Simmons managed the recording side ofLiza Minnelli's entry into mainstream pop.[37]
In 2002, Simmons launchedGene Simmons' Tongue, a men's lifestyle magazine.[38] The magazine lasted five issues before being discontinued.[citation needed]
From 2006 to 2008, Simmons served in a marketing and publicity role with theIndy Racing League.[39]
In 2012, Simmons served as the headliner for the Rock N Roll All Stars tour, a high-profile rocksupergroup project that brought together an all-star lineup of musicians for a series of stadium performances across South America.[40]
The official announcement of the tour and its lineup took place on March 1, 2012, during a press conference held at the historic Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, California.[41] The event was hosted by promoter Gabe Reed and attended by Simmons himself. The news conference, along with highlights from the tour, was prominently featured in the final episodes ofGene Simmons Family Jewels, providing fans with a behind-the-scenes look at the project and marking a significant moment in Simmons' post-Kiss career.[42]
In August 2013, Simmons,Paul Stanley and managerDoc McGhee became a part of the ownership group that created theLA KissArena Football League team, which played their home games at theHonda Center inAnaheim, California. The team has since folded.[citation needed]
In 2017, Simmons launched "The Vault", which is a compilation of all of his major works selling for $2,000.[43]
In 2018, Simmons was named "Chief Evangelist Officer" of the Canadiancannabis company Invictus MD Strategies.[44] Simmons also holds a large investment stake in the company.[45]
Simmons plays bass, and lead vocals are split between Simmons and rhythm guitaristPaul Stanley in most Kiss songs. Some notable songs featuring Simmons singing lead include "God of Thunder", "Rock and Roll All Nite", "Deuce", "A World Without Heroes", "I Love It Loud", "Calling Dr. Love", "Unholy", "You Wanted the Best" (first lead vocals), and "Christine Sixteen", among others. Simmons possesses a baritone voice.[citation needed]
Simmons has expressed his preference for "memorable simplicity" in music as opposed to technical complexity. "I don't consider myself—and was never really interested in being—a bass virtuoso [...] I don't like show-offs in music. I'm much more attracted to things that are memorable. It's part of the joy of music for me." He has also said that while he appreciates the technical skill ofjazz musicians, he believes they do not have appeal over a wide audience, saying "You can be a jazz player and be respected by musicians, but the rest of the world doesn't care."[46][47]
In addition to playing bass forKiss, Gene Simmons is well known for his long tongue, which he often sticks out during performances, a move that became one of his most recognizable trademarks. On stage, he takes on a demonic persona, complete with dramatic effects like breathing fire and spitting fake blood, further enhancing his dark, theatrical image.[citation needed]
Some media outlets have reported that Simmons’s tongue measures up to seven inches in length and that he even had it insured for $1 million. However, Simmons has never publicly confirmed or denied these claims, allowing the rumors to fuel his legendary status.[48] His trademark stalking stage-moves were inspired by the creature Ymir from the movie20 Million Miles to Earth.[49]
Simmons resides in Los Angeles with his wifeShannon Tweed, a Canadian[50] actress and formerPlayboy Playmate. Although they began dating in 1983, they did not marry until 28 years later. Simmons often joked that he and Tweed were "happily unmarried" for over 20 years. He also often paraphrasedGroucho Marx, saying "Marriage is an institution, and I don't want to live in an institution". Simmons and Tweed wed on October 1, 2011, atthe Beverly Hills Hotel.[51][52] They have two children:Nick (born January 22, 1989) andSophie (born July 7, 1992). He formerly hadlive-in relationships withCher andDiana Ross,[53] revealing that he fell in love with Ross while dating Cher.[54] Simmons has boasted many times about havingbedded thousands of women. In 2010, he claimed the tally stood at 5,000 and that he has aPolaroid picture of each liaison, including the hotel key where it took place.[55] After their wedding, Tweed found the key for the lockboxes containing the photos (confirming at least that much of the rumors). After a "loving confrontation" with Simmons, she had every single Polaroid burned on national television during the final season of their reality showGene Simmons Family Jewels.[35][56]
Simmons is multilingual, and is able to speak Hungarian, German, English, Hebrew, and some Japanese.[53]
Simmons believes he is an "outcast" in the rock music community due to his open disdain fordrug andalcohol use, and has proudly claimed many times to have never been drunk or high on a substance in his life.[57] He has said that the reason for his sober lifestyle was his mother, who was aHolocaust survivor. He said, "I'm my mother's only child [...] I had no right to harm my mother. Life did that enough".[58] However, he has admitted to once accidentally becoming intoxicated onmarijuana after mistakenly eatingpot brownies.[59]
Simmons is a science fiction and comic book fan and published severalscience-fiction fanzines, among themId,Cosmos (which eventually merged withStilletto to becomeCosmos-Stilletto and thenFaun),Tinderbox,Sci-Fi Showcase,Mantis andAdventure. He also contributed to other fanzines, among themBeABohema andSirruish.[60] By 1977, however, he would write in aletter to the editor toJanus, "I haven't been active [in fandom] for about five years".[61]
On October 7, 2025, Simmons was reportedly hospitalized following a car accident inMalibu, California, after losing consciousness while driving.[62]
Simmons was a supporter of theforeign policy of the George W. Bush administration.[63] He supported the2003 invasion of Iraq, writing on his website: "I'm ashamed to be surrounded by people calling themselves liberal who are, in my opinion, spitting on the graves of brave American soldiers who gave their life to fight a war that wasn't theirs... in a country they've never been to... simply to liberate the people therein".[64] In a follow-up, Simmons explained his position and wrote about his love and support for the United States: "I wasn't born here. But I have a love for this country and its people that knows no bounds. I will forever be grateful to America for going intoWorld War II, when it had nothing to gain, in a country that was far away... and rescued my mother from theNazi Germanconcentration camps. She is alive and I am alive because of America. And, if you have a problem with America, you have a problem with me".[64]
In 2010, Simmons said he regretted voting forBarack Obama and criticized the2009 health care reforms.[65] Following Obama's 2011 speech on the Middle East in which he called on Israel and the Palestinians to negotiate a settlement "based on the1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps",[66] Simmons toldCNBC that Obama was gravely misguided. "If you have never been to the moon, you can't issue policy about the moon. For the president to be sitting in Washington D.C. and saying, 'Go back to your '67 borders in Israel' – how about you live there and try to defend an indefensible border – nine miles (14 km) wide?" Simmons also accused theUnited Nations of being "the most pathetic body on the face of the earth".[67]
In an April 2012 interview, Simmons endorsed RepublicanMitt Romney for president: "America should be in business and it should be run by a businessman."[68]
In an August 2021 interview, regarding the honesty ofDonald Trump and hisfirst administration, Simmons said, "[W]e all lie to some extent, but what happened the last four years was beyond anything I ever thought imaginable from people who had lots of power — not just him, but the administration, everybody."[69]
On November 10, 2021, he stated that people who refused to get theCOVID-19 vaccine are "an enemy" and called them "evil".[70]
In March 2011, Simmons visited his birth country, Israel. He described the trip as a "life changing experience". He talked about how he still feels that he is an Israeli: "I'm Israeli. I'm a stranger in America. I'm an outsider".[71] While there, Simmons met his half-brother Kobi, and triplet half-sisters Drora, Sharon and Ogenia.[72] He also visited his estranged father's grave.[73] Simmons announced he has plans to take Kiss to Israel, something that happened first in 2015 with a concert inTel Aviv.[74] He has said that he is an ardent supporter of Israel.[75] At a press conference in Israel, he spoke in bothHebrew and English.[76] During his visit to Israel in 2011, he also stated that the artists refusing to perform in Israel for political reasons are "stupid".[77]
During the2006 Lebanon War betweenIsrael andHezbollah in Lebanon, Simmons sent a televised message of support (in both English and Hebrew) to an Israeli soldier seriously wounded in fighting inLebanon, calling him his "hero".[78]
On November 6, 2015, he attended aFriends of the Israel Defense Forces gala in Beverly Hills, which raised more than $31 million.[79]
In a 2024 interview withSky News Australia, Simmons called theGaza War protests “well intentioned but misinformed”.[80]
In a 2004 interview inMelbourne, Australia, regardingIslamic extremists, Simmons describedIslam as a "vile culture", saying that Muslim women had to walk behind their husbands and were not allowed to be educated or to own houses. He said: "They want to come and live right where you live and they think that you're evil." Muslim media personalitySusan Carland argued that Simmons's stereotyping of Muslims was inaccurate.[81] Simmons later clarified his comments on his website, saying he had been talking specifically about Muslim extremists.[82]
During an interview on theNational Public Radio (NPR) programFresh Air on February 2, 2002,[83] Simmons toldTerry Gross: "If you want to welcome me with open arms, I'm afraid you're also going to have to welcome me with open legs", paraphrasing a lyric fromthe Who's 1981 song "You Better You Bet". Gross replied: "That's a really obnoxious thing to say". At the time, Simmons refused to grant permission to NPR to make the interview available online.[84] However, it appears in print in Gross' bookAll I Did Was Ask and unauthorized transcripts are available. NPR re-broadcast part of the interview in August 2007.[85] In a 2014 interview withHuffPost, Simmons noted he was upset over what he perceived as Gross's "holier-than-thou" attitude, which included mislabeling his band Kiss as "the Kiss".[86]
In 2007, Simmons spoke out againstmusic piracy, and called for file-sharers to be sued.[87] A year later, he threatened further lawsuits, and to withhold new recordings, if file-sharing continued. In 2010,Anonymous staged aDDoS on his website, prompting Simmons to hit back with provocative comments once he was back online, at which point Anonymous staged a second DDoS, taking Simmons's site down again.[88]
In September 2014, Simmons said "The death of rock was not a natural death. Rock did not die of old age. It was murdered". Simmons blames file sharing and that no one values music "enough to pay you for it" for the decline of the rock music scene.[89]
In July 2014, Simmons made comments in an interview with Songfacts that encouraged those with depression to kill themselves.
I never understand, because I always call them on their bluff. I'm the guy who says 'Jump!' when there's a guy on top of a building who says, "That's it, I can't take it anymore, I'm going to jump." Are you kidding? Why are you announcing it? Shut the fuck up, have some dignity and jump! You've got the crowd.[90]
The comments drew criticism fromNikki Sixx ofMötley Crüe, who had suffered from depression in the past.[91] Following his comments, bothTriple M and Winnipeg radio stationPower 97 stated that they were pulling all Kiss songs from their lineup in protest.[92] Simmons later clarified his comments and apologized for the incident.[93]
On November 16, 2017, Simmons made an appearance onFox & Friends to promote a new book, but shortly afterward, he burst into a staff meeting uninvited, unbuttoning his shirt and telling jokes. The next day, on November 17,Fox News announced that Simmons was banned for life from their program, as well as from entering any of the company's properties. Simmons later issued a statement saying that he has "a tremendous amount of respect" for the company's workers and apologized for "unintentionally offending" any staff members during his visit.[94][95][96][97]
In 2018, Simmons settled a sexual assault lawsuit with an unnamed radio personality, who accused him of touching her inappropriately. The woman claimed that Simmons touched her and "turned standard interview questions into sexual innuendos." Despite the settlement, Simmons denied the allegations.[98]
In 2019, Ace Frehley, Simmons's former bandmate in Kiss, stated that Simmons had groped his wife, calling him an "asshole and a sex addict".[99][100]
Simmons is a known advocate forChildFund International's work. He traveled toZambia during hisGene Simmons Family Jewels show to visit several of his sponsored children, of whom he has more than 140.[101] Simmons said that the trip "[was] a stark reminder that life doesn't treat everyone the same".[102]
Simmons's family received the MEND Humanitarian Award for their philanthropic efforts and support forMending Kids International at the organization's annual gala on November 9, 2013. The award was presented byMel Gibson.[103] In his acceptance speech, Simmons spoke of his own difficult childhood in Israel in a bullet-riddled house. He recalled his mother's excitement when they received aCARE box one day.[104]
Simmons helped found "The Children Matter", which is a collaborative initiative with the charity MATTER that fights to give children around the world access to health care.[105]
He was an advocate for public safety during theCOVID-19 pandemic, encouraging people to wear face masks and followsocial distance protocols.[106]
On January 28, 2011, Simmons was inDallas, Texas, to host the Aces & Angels Salute to the Troops charity event. Simmons was presented thekey to the city, and a street (Gene Simmons Boulevard) was named for him. Simmons and Tweed also visited theU.S. Army base atFort Hood to support the troops as a part of the Aces & Angels event.[citation needed]
On June 15 of the same year, he was given the key to the city inWinnipeg, Manitoba. In 2012, Simmons was awarded theGolden God award by theRevolver magazine.[107]
In 2013, theSmithsonian National Museum of American History accepted an autographed Gene SimmonsAxe bass into their collection from John Upshaw Downs Jr. The Smithsonian wrote, in part: "The bass will now be cared for in our permanent collections... We are happy to include the Axe bass as it relates to the impact Mr. Simmons and his band Kiss have had on American culture, especially in the creation of a unique and iconic brand that has been embraced by fans worldwide ... The story of Mr. Simmons' American experience deserves to be preserved. An immigrant and son of a holocaust survivor, he used creative vision and entrepreneurial acumen to make a significant impact for our nation's popular culture, becoming an iconic figure in American music and entertainment."[108]
Simmons is an honorary board member ofLittle Kids Rock, a national nonprofit that works to restore and revitalize music education in disadvantaged U.S. public schools. A&E's Gene Simmons Family Jewels visited a Little Kids Rock classroom and featured the segment on the show. He also decorated a guitar for auction with his son Nick.[109]
On December 15, 2014, Simmons was awarded the Golden Medal by the Reial Cercle Artístic de Barcelona (Royal Artistic Circle of Barcelona).[110]
In 2020, Simmons won twoGuinness World Records for "highest flame projection in a music concert" and "most flame projections launched simultaneously in a music concert." Both of the records were established at theKISS 2020 Goodbye concert.[111]
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| Year | Film | Role | Bandmates | Miscellaneous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park | The Demon/Himself | Peter Criss,Ace Frehley,Paul Stanley | TV movie |
| 1984 | Runaway | Dr. Charles Luther | ||
| 1986 | Never Too Young to Die | Carruthers / Velvet Von Ragnar | ||
| 1986 | Trick or Treat | Nuke (radio DJ) | ||
| 1986 | Wanted: Dead or Alive | Malak Al Rahim | ||
| 1988 | The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years | Himself | Paul Stanley | Documentary |
| 1989 | Red Surf | Doc | ||
| 1999 | Detroit Rock City | Himself | Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley | Simmons also produced |
| 2000 | At Any Cost | Dennis Berg | VH1 TV movie | |
| 2001 | Wish You Were Dead | Vinny | ||
| 2002 | The New Guy | Reverend | ||
| 2008 | Detroit Metal City | Jack lll Dark | Japanese movie | |
| 2009 | Extract[112] | Joe Adler | ||
| 2010 | Expecting Mary | Taylor | ||
| 2010 | Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage | Himself | Documentary | |
| 2013 | Sample This: The Incredible Story of the Incredible Bongo Band | Himself | Documentary | |
| 2015 | Scooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery | Himself | Paul Stanley,Eric Singer,Tommy Thayer | Voice only |
| 2016 | We Are X | Himself | Documentary | |
| 2016 | Why Him? | Himself | Paul Stanley | Cameo |
| 2017 | Armed Response | Male Suspect | ||
| 2022 | In Search of Tomorrow | Himself | Documentary | |
| TBA | UntitledScooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery Sequel[113] | Himself | Paul Stanley, Eric Singer, Tommy Thayer[113] | Voice only |
| Year | Show | Episode | Role | Bandmates | Miscellaneous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Dick Clark's - In Concert | March 29, 1974 | Himself | Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley | Performed "Nothin' To Lose, Firehouse, Black Diamond |
| 1974 | The Mike Douglas Show | June 11, 1974 | Himself | Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley | Kiss Performed "Firehouse". |
| 1975 | The Midnight Special | April 1, 1975 | Himself | Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley | Performed "Deuce, She, Black Diamond, (C'mon & Love Me - not televised) |
| 1976 | The Paul Lynde Halloween Special | October 29, 1976 | Himself | Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley | Performed "Detroit Rock City", "King of the Night Time World", and "Beth" |
| 1979 | Tomorrow | Himself | Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley | ||
| 1985 | Miami Vice | "The Prodigal Son" | Newton Blade | ||
| 1986 | The Hitchhiker | "O.D.Feelin'" January 28, 1986 | Mr. Big | ||
| 1997 | Action League Now! | "Rock-A-Big-Baby" | Toy version of himself | Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley | Performed "Rock and Roll All Nite" |
| 1998 | MADtv[114] | October 31, 1998 (#406) | Himself | Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley. | Halloween special; performed in five sketches |
| 1998 | Millennium | "...Thirteen Years Later" October 30, 1998 | Hector Leachman | Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, Ace Frehley | |
| 2001 | Family Guy | "A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas" | Animated version of himself | Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley | |
| 2001 | Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? | May 27, 2001 | Himself | Won $32,000 for a charity | |
| 2001 | The Daily Show with Jon Stewart[115] | June 12, 2001 | Himself | ||
| 2002 | Family Guy | "Road to Europe" | Animated version of himself | Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley | Lois Griffin claims she dated Gene Simmons while they were in high school, and calls him by his birth name, Chaim Witz. |
| 2002 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | September 6, 2002 | Himself | ||
| 2003 | King of the Hill | "Reborn to Be Wild" | Jessie | ||
| 2004 | Third Watch | "Higher Calling" | Donald Mann | ||
| 2004 | Third Watch | "Monsters" | Donald Mann | ||
| 2004 | Third Watch | "More Monsters" | Donald Mann | ||
| 2005 | American Idol | "Auditions: New Orleans" | Himself- guest judge | ||
| 2005 | Family Guy | "Don't Make Me Over" | Animated version of himself/ Prisoner No. 3 | ||
| 2005 | Mind of Mencia | Episode #1.7 | Himself | ||
| 2005 | Rock School | Himself | Presenter | ||
| 2006 | The View | August 1, 2006 | Himself | Promotional appearance forGene Simmons Family Jewels | |
| 2007 | SpongeBob SquarePants | "20,000 Patties Under the Sea" | Sea Monster | ||
| 2007 | Shrink Rap | "Gene Simmons" | Himself | UK's More4 show | |
| 2008 | Entertainment Tonight | January 2, 2008 | Himself | ||
| 2008 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | January 18, 2008 | Himself | ||
| 2008 | Rachael Ray | March 11, 2008 | Himself | ||
| 2008 | Criss Angel Mindfreak | "Mindfreaking with the Stars" | Himself | ||
| 2008 | Ugly Betty | "The Kids Are Alright" | Himself | ||
| 2008 | Ugly Betty | "A Thousand Words by Friday" | Himself | ||
| 2008 | Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? | Episode #3.9 | Himself | Won $500,000 for theElizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation charity | |
| 2008 | The Celebrity Apprentice | First three episodes | Himself | Won $20,000 for theElizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation charity; Fired in the third episode | |
| 2008 | Jingles[116] | Celebrity judge | Mark Burnett reality show | ||
| 2009 | Glenn Martin DDS | Glenn Gary, Glenn Martin | himself | ||
| 2009 | American Idol | Season Finale | Himself | Eric Singer,Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley | Performed medley of 3 songs with contestant Adam Lambert |
| 2009 | The Fairly OddParents | "Wishology – Part 1: The Big Beginning" | Animated version of himself | Eric Singer,Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley | |
| 2009 | The Fairly OddParents | "Wishology – Part 3: The Final Ending" | Animated version of himself | Eric Singer,Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley | |
| 2010 | I Get That a Lot | Episode 2 | As Himself | Simmons appeared as apsychic working at the Mystic Journey Bookstore inVenice, California | |
| 2010 | Extreme Makeover: Home Edition | Episode 160 | As Himself | Kiss made a personal appearance during the Wagstaff family's vacation inDisneyland and honored them as special guests at one of their concerts. Kiss also made a personal appearance at a local school where a donation of new musical instruments was made in the Wagstaff family's name. | |
| 2010 | I'm in a Rock 'n' Roll Band! | Episode 1 And 5 | As Himself | Discussing the requirements of being in a rock band. | |
| 2011 | Castle | To Love and Die in LA | As Himself | ||
| 2014 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Long Road Home | As Himself | ||
| 2014 | American Idol | Season 13 Finale | Himself | Eric Singer,Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley | Performed with Caleb Johnson |
| 2014 | Welcome to Sweden | S1 Ep4: Get a Job/Farthinder | Himself | ||
| 2015 | Scorpion | S2 Ep1: | Himself | September 30, 2015, Himself, Interview | |
| 2016 | Angie Tribeca (2016TBS TV Series) | S1 Ep9: | Himself | ||
| 2016 | Dr.Phil | Himself (special guest) | Gives advice to guest Kris about prioritizing his parents, partner, and getting a job over his addiction of being a rockstar. | ||
| 2018 | Jeopardy! | October 31 episode | Himself | Reading clues about Halloween in costume and makeup. As a publicity stunt, Alex Trebek was briefly made up and costumed as Simmons. Short video of that appeared as a commercial bump; longer video posted to show web site. | |
| 2019 | Kouhaku Uta Gassen | December 31, 2019 | Himself | Eric Singer,Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley | Performed "Rock And Roll All Nite –YOSHIKISS version" withYoshiki[117] |
| 2020 | Ridiculousness | January 9 | Himself | ||
| 2022 | Hell's Kitchen | "Just Wingin' It" | Himself | ||
| 2023 | 2023 AFL Grand Final | Himself | Eric Singer,Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley | Performed "I Was Made for Lovin' You", "Shout It Out Loud" and "Rock and Roll All Nite" during the pre-match entertainment | |
| 2024 | Dancing with the Stars | October 8, 2024 | Himself - guest judge |
In 1994, Simmons appears as auditioning for the band with actor Al Lewis & comedianGilbert Gottfried in a music video for "I'll Talk My Way Out Of It" by Howard Stern comedianStuttering John.In 2007, he appeared alongside other celebrities, as well as regular people, in the music video for "Rockstar" byNickelback.[citation needed]
Gene Simmons is a playable character inTony Hawk's Underground,[118] unlocked when completing the story mode on Normal difficulty, and also appears with his Kiss bandmates in the Hotter Than Hell level to play one of three songs upon collecting the four K-I-S-S letters.[119]
Gene Simmons's Kiss character, the Demon, is a playable character inKiss: Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child. Simmons also has a large role in the 2010 music video gameGuitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. In addition to narrating the main storyline, voicing the character Demigod of Rock in cutscenes, and doing advertising for the game, the Kiss song "Love Gun" is playable.[citation needed]
A Dark-Normal Type Pokémon introduced inPokémon Sword and Shield known as Obstagoon the Blocking Pokémon resembles Gene Simmons's KISS character:The Demon.[120]
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