Gene Simmons

Photo of Gene Simmons

Biography

A founding member of KISS, one of rock-n-roll's most iconic acts, Gene Simmons was also a master of merchandizing and self-promotion, second to none. Born in Israel but raised in New York City, Simmons and friend Paul Stanley became the nucleus of the face-painted, outlandishly-costumed act later known as KISS in 1973. Dubbed "The Demon," in accordance with his nightmarish stage persona and makeup, the bass player's fire-breathing, …
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Job Title

Actor, Producer, Writer, Music, Other

Born

Chaim Witz on August 25, 1949 in Israel

Career Milestones

Established his own short-lived label, Simmons Records in the 1980s

Formed Wicked Lester in the early 1970s with childhood friend Steve Coronel and Stanley Eisen (also known as Paul Stanley); signed to Epic Records

Worked as a sixth grade teacher in New York's Spanish Harlem during the band's early years

1973

With Eisen left Wicked Lester to form Kiss, adding guitarist Paul "Ace" Frehley and drummer Peter Crisscoula (later dubbed Peter Criss)

1974

Released their first self-titled debut album Kiss

1975

Earned a nationwide following with the release of Kiss' Alive!

1976

Released Kiss' most successful album Destroyer

1978

Appeared with the band in their own TV-movie, NBC's "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park"

1983

In a move to boost sales, removed their make-up for the release of Lick it Up

1984

Acted in "Runaway" with Tom Selleck

1985

Appeared as a drug dealer on the popular NBC crime drama "Miami Vice"

1986

Portrayed multiple characters in "Never Too Young To Die"

1987

Played a terrorist being tracked by Rutger Hauer in "Wanted Dead or Alive"

1990

Played an aging surfer in "Red Surf," starring George Clooney and Doug Savant

1992

Released the album Revenge, Kiss' first album since the death of long-time drummer Eric Carr

1996

Participated in a reunion tour with the original line up of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss

1998

Boosted their album sales by putting their make-up back on for the album and accompanying tour Psycho Circus

1999

Appeared as himself in "Detroit Rock City," about four teenagers in a Kiss cover band; also produced

2001

Published his autobiography KISS and Make-up

2002

Acted in the comedy/thriller "Wish You Were Dead" costarring Christopher Lloyd

2002

Launched the magazine Tongue, a men's magazine named after his most famous attribute

2003

Produced "My Dad the Rock Star," a cartoon series about the mild mannered son of a Gene Simmons-like rock star

2004

Guest starred on a three-episode arc of NBC's rescue drama "Third Watch"

2005

Appeared on Fox's "American Idol" as a guest judge

2005

Cast on the VH1 reality series "Rock School," teaching classically trained 13 to 14-year-olds how to rock

2005

Created and hosted "Mr. Romance" on the Oxygen cable television channel

2007

Appeared with his family on the A&E reality series "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," documenting their home life; also executive produced show

2008

Guest starred as himself on two episodes of ABC's "Ugly Betty"

2009

Acted opposite Jason Bateman and Mila Kunis in Mike Judge directed "Extract"