Gene Simmons.

ג'ין סימונס חיים ויץ

Gene Simmons — Actor

Born 25 Aug 1949 Tirat Carmel, Israel

Citizenship United States

Age 76 yr Today

17 min read

Reading time

3,272

Words

Jul 2, 2026

Published

181

Film credits

1

Award

TL;DR

Co-founding KISS in 1973 with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons became the fire-breathing, blood-spitting Demon. Born Chaim Witz in Israel in 1949, he moved to New York and formed the hard rock band. KISS sold over 80 million albums and performed over 2,000 shows worldwide since 1974.

Identity & family.

KIN · 3

Names, aliases, and relatives of Gene Simmons — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name חיים ויץ

Native Name ג'ין סימונס

Nicknames Gene the Nazarene, Genie

Aliases Gene the Demon, Gene, KISS, Kiss, Gene Klein

Spouses: Shannon Tweed
Children: Nick Simmons Sophie Simmons

At a glance.

STATS

Gene Simmons by the numbers — life, work, and family.

76 Age

181 Film credits

1 Award

1 Marriage

2 Children

Who is Gene Simmons?

BIOGRAPHY

Gene Simmons — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Born Chaim Witz on August 25, 1949, in Tirat Carmel, Israel, to Hungarian Jewish parents Flóra Florence Klein and Feri Yechiel Witz. His mother, a Holocaust survivor from Jánd, Hungary, escaped death by working as a hairdresser for a Nazi officer’s wife. Simmons moved to New York as a child and grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens, attending Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and later Newtown High School.

Comic books, monster movies, and rock and roll shaped his early interests. Simmons briefly considered becoming a rabbi before pursuing music. He taught sixth grade at PS 75 in Spanish Harlem and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Richmond College, now the College of Staten Island.

Career

Simmons formed KISS in 1973 with Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. He helped launch the band on the New York live music scene with kabuki-style makeup and high-energy performances. Their debut album in 1974 began a run that sold over 80 million records globally. Simmons made his first feature film appearance as The Demon in the 1978 telemovie Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park, which became a cult hit internationally despite scathing US reviews.

In 1984, he appeared without makeup as an evil techno-junkie in the thriller Runaway alongside Tom Selleck. He had guest roles on Miami Vice 1984 and Millennium 1996. In 1977, Simmons discovered Van Halen and produced their demo that secured a record deal with Warner Brothers, though he had to release them from his contract due to lack of interest.

Personal life

Simmons has lived with model and actress Shannon Tweed since 1986; they married in 2011. The couple has two children: son Nick Simmons born 1989 and daughter Sophie Simmons born 1992. He had relationships with Cher, Diana Ross, and Doro Pesch.

He has never used drugs or alcohol, crediting his mother’s Holocaust survival for his discipline. Simmons speaks five languages: English, Hungarian, Hebrew, German, and Japanese. Despite his wild stage persona, he has one non-negotiable condition for his record label: no drugs.

Legacy

KISS earned a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7080 Hollywood Boulevard. Simmons received the Great Immigrants Award. KISS sold over 80 million albums and played over 2,000 shows, ranking among the best-selling bands in history. The custom Gene Simmons Axe Bass, designed by Simmons and produced by Cort, is a collector’s item. He launched the fashion label Gene Simmons – Dragonfly and publishes Tongue magazine. The fire-breathing, blood-spitting Demon of KISS, Simmons co-founded a band that defined 1970s rock spectacle.

Filmography.

FILMS · 181

The complete filmography of Gene Simmons — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Family Guy

1999

TV

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

2000

TV

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

2014

TV

Castle

2009

TV

King of the Hill

1997

TV

Miami Vice

1984

TV

Scorpion

2014

TV

Dancing with the Stars

2005

TV

American Idol

2002

TV

America's Got Talent

2006

TV

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003

TV

MTV Video Music Awards

1984

TV

Millennium

1996

TV

Ugly Betty

2006

Showing 14 of 181 View all 181 films

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 1

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Gene Simmons — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Great Immigrants Award

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 31

A wall of memorable lines from Gene Simmons — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

It’s a Dirty Job but Somebody’s Got to Do It.
Walk Amongst the Natives by Day, but in Your Heart Be Superman.
Anyone Who Tells You They Got into Rock N’ Roll for Reasons Other Than Girls, Fame and Money Is Full of Shit.
When I’m Gone, on My Tombstone I’d Like ‘Thank You and Goodnight’, Because I Have No Regrets. the Sad Thing Is Most People Have to Check with Someone Before They Do the Things That Make Them Happy. We’re All Passing Through; the Least We Can Do Is Be Happy, and the Only Way to Do That Is by Being Selfish.
The First Thing I Did When I Met Shannon Tweed, or Cher, Was Say: ‘Here, There Are No Skeletons in Gene Simmons’s Closet.’ I Refuse to Lead a Dr Jekyll-and-Mr Hyde Life. There Are DJs Who Get Caught with Prostitutes, MPs with Stockings on Their Head. It’s a Waste of Time. Just Say, ‘This Is Who I Am. Take It or Leave It’. Then You Sleep Well.
My Hero Is Me. Why? Because I Was a Poor Little Kid Who Was Told, ‘Hey Stupid, Can’t You Speak English?’ Now All Those People Work for Me. Despite Whatever Circumstances I Came Across, I Was Always Able to Rise to the Top and There’s Only One Way to Do That – by Being Selfish, but Also by Believing in Yourself. Belief Is Self-knowing. Even Yoda Out of Star Wars Said, ‘Do or Do Not. There Is No Try.’
Marriage Is an Institution, and You Must Be Fully Committed to It. That Sounds Crazy to Me.
The Root of All Evil Isn’t Money; Rather, It’s Not Having Enough Money.
Whoever Said ‘Money Can’t Buy You Love or Joy’ Obviously Was Not Making Enough Money.
We Broke Lawrence Welk’s Attendance Record in Abilene, Texas. I’m Very Proud of That.
We Own Some Very Big Houses That Critics Have Bought Us with Their Bad Reviews. Critics Are an Unnecessary Life Form. There’s a Large Kiss Cemetery at the Back of Our Houses Where We Bury Them.
Kids Should Never Be Allowed, Much Less Forced, to Leave the Nest Until and Unless They Can Fly – Or, Preferably, Soar.
The Best You Can Do Is Set Your Kids on the Right Track; Staying on It Without Falling Is up to the Kids.
The Best Things in Life Are Never Given; They’re Earned. Responsibility, for Instance.
Everyone Has SOMETHING for Which Everybody Else Will Gladly Shell Out a Ton of Money…whether or Not They Know Exactly What It Is.
The TV Show, for Me, Is Medicinal. I’m Able to Watch It and Realize That I’m Not Aware How I Come Off. I Can Be Short, I Can Be Impolite, and Not Be Aware of It, and It Certainly Hurts People’s Feelings.
This Is a Privileged Life. There Are Rewards. but at Any Time I Could Say ‘I Don’t Want to Do This, Don’t Bother Me’ and Quit. I Do It Because I Love It.
It Is Time for Me to Grow Up. I’m 62. I’ve Been Doing a Lot of Wacky Stuff for an Awfully Long Time… and There’s Nobody I’ve Ever Said ‘I Love You’ To. I Even Find It Difficult to Say ‘I Love You’ to My Mother. but I Love Shannon with All My Heart and All My Soul, and Always Will.
Don’t Believe Bands Who Say It’s All About the Fans and They Want to Give Their Music Away for Free. the Result Is They Will Continue to Live in Their Mother’s Basement.
If Someone Offered Me a Billion Dollars for the Kiss Brand I Wouldn’t Sell. We Now Have 3,000 Licensed Products. There’s No Limit to What Kiss Can Do. We Have Everything from Condoms to Caskets – We’ll Get You Coming and We’ll Get You Going.
Music, Marriage and Religion, It’s All a Business. Even God Passes the Hat Around. It Is Your Fiduciary Duty Not Just to Understand How to Play a Minor Chord but How to Maximize Your Pay.
Some Bands Use a Lot of Tapes…U2? I’m Sorry, It’s a Fucking Tape. the Great Bands Like Metallica, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin – What You See and What You Hear Is What These People Are Actually Playing.
I Would Urge All Bands That Say They Only Care About Credibility and Don’t Care About Money to Send Gene Simmons Every Dollar That They Don’t Want. I’d Be Happy to Take It off Them.
No Karaoke Singers Allowed. No Fake Bullshit. Leave That to Rihanna-Schmianna and Everybody Else Whose Name Ends with an ‘A.’
I Think Barack Obama Is Actually a Good Guy. He Has No Fucking Idea What the World Is Like Because He Doesn’t Have to Live There.
Politicians Trot Out Celebrities and Rock Stars to Convince Us They’re Worthy of the Job, and We the Masses, Fall for It. Shame on Us. Celebrities Are Morons, Myself Included. They Should Stick to What They Do Best. Act. Sing. or Burp. but Keep the Candidates Clean of Their Stains.
I Have Never Been High or Drunk in My Life.
That Beautiful Idea in Religion About the Meek Inheriting the Earth Is Naiveté at Its Highest. the Strong Inherit the Earth; the Meek Inherit Shit.
People Think That, in KISS, Paul and I Are Alike, as Are Peter and Ace with Each Other. Bullshit. Paul and I Are Like Black and White; There’s Almost Nothing We Share an Opinion On. I Think Judge Dredd Is One of the Greatest Movies Ever Made, and Paul Think It’s a Piece of Shit. the One Guy in KISS That I Have Much in Common with Would Be Peter.
David Bowie, You Will Be Sorely Missed. Bowie’s ‘Changes’ and the Ziggy Story Songs Were a Major Influence for Me.
Hip-hop Does Not Belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. nor Does Opera, Symphonies or Orchestras. How Cone the New York Philharmonic Doesn’t Get in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? Because It’s Called the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Did you know?

FACTS · 41

Little-known facts about Gene Simmons — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

According to his autobiography Kiss and Makeup, Simmons credits his mother for his decision to never use drugs, since she survived the Holocaust and he did not want to break her heart.
Simmons has never drank alcohol, used drugs, or smoked tobacco.
Prior to forming KISS, Gene Simmons worked as an elementary school teacher, teaching sixth grade at PS 75 in Spanish Harlem.
Even though his father left the family when Simmons was a child, once he became rich he felt an obligation to buy both of his parents homes and provide them with financially worry-free lifestyles.
Simmons is the son of Hungarian-Jewish parents. His mother, from Jánd, is a Holocaust survivor who survived partly because she worked as a hairdresser for a Nazi officer’s wife.
Once he bought a ticket to one of his own shows, walked in completely out of makeup and character, and took his seat. Nobody recognized him.
Simmons has one non-negotiable condition for anyone signing with his record label Simmons Records: no drugs.
According to KISS band members on VH1’s Behind the Music, their garish costumes and makeup were born from their mutual love of comic books and sci-fi/horror films. Simmons chose the Demon persona because he loved horror films.
Simmons speaks Hungarian, Hebrew, High German, Japanese, and English.
In 1977, Simmons discovered Van Halen and produced the demo that got them signed to Warner Brothers Records, though he had to release them from their contract when he couldn’t convince anyone at WB of their potential.
Edward Van Halen once begged Gene and Paul Stanley to let him join KISS during a time when his band Van Halen was having problems.
Simmons once considered becoming a rabbi.
He has his tongue insured for an undisclosed amount.
KISS earned a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7080 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
Simmons lived with Cher for several years.
He found out after his father died in 2002 that he had three half sisters: Drora, Ogenia, and Sharon; and one half brother Kobi.
Simmons grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens.
He is one of the top fire-breathers in the world. The world record is a 27 feet flame; Simmons can hit 15 feet.
A customized electric bass guitar, the Gene Simmons Axe Bass, was created for him by South Korean giant Cort, shaped like the head of an axe.
Simmons describes himself as neither Democrat nor Republican, but votes based on the issues. He supported Bush in 2004 because he agreed with Bush’s foreign policy stands.
He gave Elijah Allman Cher’s son his first guitar at age 11.
Simmons’ famous tongue has been measured at over 7 inches long.
When Simmons came to America, his name was changed from Chaim Witz to Gene Klein. He later decided to use Gene Simmons for professional purposes.
Simmons attended a Beverly Hills fundraiser for the Israeli Defense Forces on November 6, 2015.
He has a son, Nick Simmons born 1989, and a daughter, Sophie Simmons born 1992, with Shannon Tweed.
Simmons produced many acts in the 1980s, including Keel, Wendy O. Williams, EZO, and Black and Blue.
During an interview on William Shatner’s Shatner’s Raw Nerve, Simmons revealed that KISS almost named their band Fuck, but settled on KISS because Paul Stanley suggested it.
Simmons has a business partner named Rich Abramson; their company is Simmons Abramson Marketing.
He was offered the role of Nick Hurley in Flashdance but turned it down due to his schedule with KISS.
Simmons is friends with Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi.
He has lived with model and actress Shannon Tweed since 1986, but didn’t marry until 2011.
At the height of their popularity in the 1970s, various right-wing Christian groups claimed that KISS stood for Knights In Satan’s Service.
Simmons prides himself on living his life like an open book, showing prospective girlfriends his infamous book of photos of countless women he has been with.
Before forming KISS, Simmons played in bands called Cathedral, Bullfrog Beer, Coffee, The Long Island Sounds, and Wicked Lester.
Simmons lives in Beverly Hills, California.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Richmond College, now known as the College of Staten Island.
Simmons launched a fashion label called Gene Simmons – Dragonfly.
He is the founder of Simmons Publishing, which publishes books and magazines.
Simmons has been the publisher of the magazine Tongue since late 2001.
He is a fan of the Rolling Stones and stated that Bill Wyman’s bass line from their 1971 song Bitch is an inspiration.
An avid Zionist, Simmons often promotes and participates in fundraisers for Israel and the Israeli Defense Force.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 38

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Gene Simmons.

When was Gene Simmons born?

Gene Simmons was born on August 25, 1949. As of 2025, he is 76 years old.
Where was Gene Simmons born?

Gene Simmons was born in Tirat Carmel, Israel. He was originally named Chaim Witz.
What is Gene Simmons's real name?

His birth name is Chaim Witz, which in Hebrew is חיים ויץ. He changed it to Gene Klein upon moving to America, then professionally to Gene Simmons.
What is Gene Simmons's native name?

In his native language, Hebrew, his name is גין סימונס. However, his birth name is Chaim Witz.
What does Gene Simmons do for a living?

Gene Simmons is an actor, producer, and composer. He co-founded and plays bass for the hard rock band KISS.
What nationality is Gene Simmons?

Gene Simmons is an American citizen. He moved to the United States as a child and lives in Beverly Hills, California.
What languages does Gene Simmons speak?

Gene Simmons speaks English natively, as well as Hungarian, Hebrew, High German, and Japanese. He is multilingual.
Who is Gene Simmons married to?

Gene Simmons married model and actress Shannon Tweed in 2011. They had been in a relationship since 1986.
Does Gene Simmons have children?

Yes, Gene Simmons has two children with Shannon Tweed: son Nick Simmons, born in 1989, and daughter Sophie Simmons, born in 1992.
Where did Gene Simmons go to school?

Gene Simmons attended Yeshiva Torah Vodaas, Newtown High School, Sullivan County Community College, and the College of Staten Island formerly Richmond College, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education.
What awards has Gene Simmons won?

Gene Simmons received the Great Immigrants Award. KISS also received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
How many awards has Gene Simmons won?

Gene Simmons has won at least one major award: the Great Immigrants Award. He has also received other honors through KISS.
What is Gene Simmons best known for?

Gene Simmons is the fire-breathing, blood-spitting Demon of KISS, the hard rock band he co-founded in 1973. He also appeared in TV shows like Family Guy and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
What is Gene Simmons's Instagram?

Gene Simmons’s Instagram handle is @GeneSimmons. He regularly posts about his music, family, and business ventures.
How tall is Gene Simmons?

Gene Simmons is 6 feet 2 inches tall, which is 1.88 meters. His height and stage presence contribute to his larger-than-life persona.
What nicknames does Gene Simmons have?

Gene Simmons has the nicknames Gene the Nazarene and Genie. He is also known by his stage persona Gene the Demon.
What aliases has Gene Simmons used?

Gene Simmons has used the aliases Gene the Demon, Gene, KISS, Kiss, and Gene Klein. He used Gene Klein when he first moved to America.
Why is Gene Simmons called The Demon?

Simmons chose the stage persona The Demon because he loved horror films. In KISS, each member created a character based on their personality.
How old is Gene Simmons?

As of 2025, Gene Simmons is 76 years old. He was born on August 25, 1949.
What is Gene Simmons's birth name?

His birth name is Chaim Witz. He changed it to Gene Klein when he moved to the United States.
Is Gene Simmons married?

Yes, Gene Simmons married Shannon Tweed on October 1, 2011. They have been together since 1986.
Who are Gene Simmons's parents?

Gene Simmons’s parents are Feri Yechiel Witz father and Flóra Florence Klein mother. His mother is a Hungarian Jewish Holocaust survivor.
How many award nominations has Gene Simmons received?

Gene Simmons has received 4 nominations for various awards, though the specifics are not detailed in standard sources.
Why is Gene Simmons famous?

Gene Simmons is famous as the co-founder and bassist of KISS, one of the best-selling rock bands of all time. His stage persona The Demon, his long tongue, and his fire-breathing stunts are well-known.
What is the name of Gene Simmons's autobiography?

Gene Simmons wrote an autobiography titled Kiss and Makeup. In it, he discusses his life and career, including his drug-free lifestyle.
Has Gene Simmons ever used drugs?

No, Gene Simmons has never used drugs or alcohol. He credits his mother’s experience as a Holocaust survivor for his discipline.
What was Gene Simmons's job before KISS?

Before forming KISS, Gene Simmons worked as an elementary school teacher. He taught sixth grade at PS 75 in Spanish Harlem.
What bands did Gene Simmons play in before KISS?

Gene Simmons played in several bands before KISS, including Cathedral, Bullfrog Beer, Coffee, The Long Island Sounds, and Wicked Lester, the latter with Paul Stanley.
How did KISS get their name?

Paul Stanley came up with the name KISS. They had considered calling the band Fuck but realized they wouldn’t get a record deal, so they settled on KISS.
What does the KISS logo look like?

The KISS logo features the letters K-I-S-S with the S’s shaped like lightning bolts. Ace Frehley was the one who drew the logo.
How many albums has KISS sold?

KISS has sold over 80 million albums worldwide since their debut in 1974. They remain one of the best-selling bands in history.
Did Gene Simmons discover Van Halen?

Yes, Gene Simmons discovered Van Halen in 1977 and produced the demo that got them signed to Warner Brothers Records. He had to release them from his contract due to lack of interest.
What is Gene Simmons's tongue length?

Gene Simmons’s famous tongue has been measured at over 7 inches long. He has it insured for an undisclosed amount.
What is the Gene Simmons Axe Bass?

The Gene Simmons Axe Bass is a custom electric bass guitar created by Cort. The body is shaped like the head of an axe, with the neck serving as the handle.
What political views does Gene Simmons hold?

Gene Simmons describes himself as neither Democrat nor Republican. He supports abortion rights, the environment, and church-state separation, and he supported George W. Bush in 2004 due to foreign policy.
Does Gene Simmons support Israel?

Yes, Gene Simmons is a Zionist. He has attended fundraisers for the Israeli Defense Forces and frequently supports Israel.
What TV shows has Gene Simmons appeared on?

Gene Simmons has appeared on Miami Vice 1984, Millennium 1996, Third Watch 1999, Family Guy, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, among others.
What movies has Gene Simmons been in?

Gene Simmons appeared in Runaway 1984 with Tom Selleck, Wanted: Dead or Alive 1986, and Red Surf 1989. He also starred in the 1978 telemovie Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park.

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Audited & updated by

Emma has 8 years of editorial experience and a very clear idea of what a good biography looks like. At Famousy, she runs the editorial operation and decides what meets the bar and what doesn't. She's the kind of editor who remembers the profiles she pushed back on more clearly than the ones she approved. That's not a complaint. That's exactly why the site reads the way it does.

Published on July 2, 2026

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