Richard Simmons, Celebrity Fitness Guru, Dies at 76

Richard Simmons, Celebrity Fitness Guru, Dies at 76

As a big fan of Richard Simmons, I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing at the age of 76. The goofy clown prince of fitness left an indelible mark on my life and countless others with his passion for weight loss and health.


Richard Simmons, the quirky and beloved figure in the world of fitness, transforming his zeal for helping others shed pounds into a prosperous career and renowned status as a Hollywood celebrity, passed away at the age of 76.

An LAPD representative informed The Hollywood Reporter that officers were dispatched to Simmons’ residence on Belfast Drive following a 911 call at around 9:57 a.m. last Saturday. The investigation into the matter remains ongoing.

In the ’80s, I was the charismatic host of my very own syndicated TV fitness program. With my curly mane, I captivated audiences and sold countless aerobics videos and DVDs under the brand “Sweatin’ to the Oldies.”

During his prime, Simmons was a popular figure, frequently seen in shorts that were too short for him and a glitzy tank top adorned with Swarovski crystals while working out. In the year 1980, he released “Richard Simmons’ Never-Say-Diet Book,” an enormous bestseller, which included chapters titled “Facing Your Fears: The Hips Issue” and “Dining Out Without Going Overboard.”

Simmons made appearances on various shows including “Arrested Development,” “Amazing Stories,” “CHiPs,” “The Larry Sanders Show,” and “General Hospital.” He was a regular guest and adversary on The Howard Stern Show, as well as David Letterman’s late-night talk programs.

In the 2010-12 Disney Channel animated show “Fish Hooks,” he later portrayed the role of Coach Salmons.

Milton Teagle Simmons, who later became known as Simmons, was born on July 12, 1948, in New Orleans’ vibrant French Quarter. Raised there, he would eventually peddle pralines along the streets to make ends meet. As a child, Simmons carried an ample frame, tipping the scales at almost 270 pounds by the time he completed high school.

In 1968, after having lived in Europe for some time, he discovered a mysterious note on his car’s windshield. The message read, “Dear Richard: Obese individuals have short lives. Kindly avoid an untimely demise.”

Simmons made a promise to himself to improve his fitness and managed to reach a weight of around 150 pounds at a height of 5-foot-7. With this determination, he journeyed westward and shared his weight loss philosophy in Beverly Hills by establishing Anatomy Asylum, a fusion of an exercise studio and restaurant, back in 1974. Notable attendees of his establishment were Barbra Streisand, Dustin Hoffman, Cheryl Ladd, Diana Ross, and Paul Newman.

Back in November 2016, I made the difficult decision to close down my beloved studio, which had most recently been known as Slimmons. In a heartfelt post on my website, I reminisced about the place where my entire career took off. It all began with local shows in this very city, and then came the thrilling opportunity to portray myself on the iconic soap opera, “General Hospital.”

Approximately five months ago, an ambulance carried Simmons from his residence to the hospital following a 911 emergency call that the Los Angeles Fire Department had received. Later on, Simmons informed his followers that he was suffering from dehydration and requested them not to be concerned about his well-being.

In March 2016, The New York Daily News claimed that I was being kept against my will in my own home. However, I refuted this assertion during an interview on the Today show. I made it clear that no one was holding me captive within the confines of my residence.

In January, Simmons expressed his disapproval towards the biopic of his life that Pauly Shore was set to star in. He clarified, “I have not granted approval for this film.”

As he approached the end of his life, he found himself on Facebook, gratefully acknowledging fans’ birthday greetings. “I can’t believe the number of messages I’ve received for my birthday!” he posted. “Currently responding to emails. Wishing you all a lovely Friday evening.”

Christy PiƱa contributed to this report.

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2024-07-14 00:24