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Gene Simmons Biography (1949-)

Born Chaim Witz, August 25, 1949, in Haifa, Israel (some sources cite Queens,NY); immigrated to the United States in 1958; naturalized U.S. citizen, 1963; children: Nicholas, Sophie (with Shannon Tweed, an actress).

Nationality

American

Ethnicity

Israeli

Gender

Male

Occupation

Musician, singer, actor

Birth Details

August 25, 1949

Haifa, Israel

Famous Works

• CREDITS
• Film Appearances
• Dr. Charles Luther, Runaway, Tri-Star, 1984
• Velvet Von Ragner and Carruthers, Never Too Young to Die, Paul Entertainment, 1986
• Norman "The Nuke" Taurog, Trick or Treat, De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, 1986
• Malak Al Rahim, Wanted: Dead or Alive, New World, 1987
• The Decline of Western Civilization, Part II: The Metal Years (documentary), New Line, 1988
• Himself, The Return of Bruno, 1988
• Doc, Red Surf, 1990
• The History of Rock 'N' Roll, Vol. 8 (also known as The70's: Have a Nice Decade), 1995
• Himself (KISS band member), Detroit Rock City, New Line Cinema, 1999
• Hair stylist, Wish You Were Dead, Alive and Kicking Productions, 2000
• Film Work
• Producer, Detroit Rock City, New Line Cinema, 1999
• Television Appearances
• Movies
• Himself (KISS band member), KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park (also known as Attack of the Phantoms and KISS in Attack of the Phantoms), NBC, 1978
• Dennis Berg, At Any Cost, VH1, 2000
• Specials
• The American Music Awards, 1986
• American Bandstand's Teen Idols, ABC, 1994
• Presenter, The American Music Awards, 1994
• MTV Presents KISS Unplugged, MTV, 1995
• Stan Lee: The ComiX-MAN!, Arts and Entertainment, 1995
• KISS Live: The Ultimate Halloween Party, Fox, 1998
• The Last KISS, Direct TV (PPV), 2000
• Episodic
• The Mike Douglas Show, 1975
• Newton Blade, "Prodigal Son," Miami Vice, 1985
• Mr. Big, "O.D. Feelin," The Hitchhiker, 1986
• Rock and Roll, PBS, 1995
• The History of Rock 'n' Roll, syndicated, 1995
• Hector Leachman, "Thirteen Years Later," Millennium, Fox, 1998
• Himself, "About Taking It Like a Man," Talk to Me, ABC, 2000
• RECORDINGS
• Albums
• Gene Simmons, Casablanca, 1978
• Albums (with KISS)
• KISS, Casablanca, 1974
• Hotter Than Hell, Casablanca, 1974
• Dressed to Kill, Casablanca, 1975
• Alive, Casablanca, 1975
• Destroyer, Casablanca, 1976
• The Originals, Casablanca, 1976
• Rock and Roll Over, Casablanca, 1976
• Love Gun, Casablanca, 1977
• KISS Alive II, Casablanca, 1977
• Dynasty, Casablanca, 1979
• Unmasked, Casablanca, 1980
• The Elder, Casablanca, 1981
• Creatures of the Night, Casablanca, 1982
• Lick It Up, Mercury, 1983
• Animalize, Mercury, 1984
• Asylum, Mercury, 1985
• Crazy Nights, Mercury, 1987
• Singles (with KISS)
• "Rock and Roll All Night," Casablanca, 1975
• "Shout It Out Loud," Casablanca, 1976
• "Beth," Casablanca, 1976
• "Hard Luck Woman," Casablanca, 1977
• "Calling Dr. Love," Casablanca, 1977
• "Christine Sixteen," Casablanca, 1977
• "Rocket Ride," Casablanca, 1978
• "I Was Made for Lovin' You," Casablanca, 1979
• Videos
• Playboy Celebrity Centerfold: Shannon Tweed, 1996

Further Reference

OTHER SOURCES

Periodicals:

• Current Biography, April, 1999, p. 51.
• Entertainment Weekly, June 10, 1994, p. 63.
• New York, July 29, 1996, p. 32.
• Rolling Stone, October 29, 1998, p. 27.