Fitness Guru Richard Simmons Dies at 76

Simmons died at his home in Los Angeles on Saturday, one day after his birthday. His rep Tom Estey confirmed the news to Variety. 

On Friday, Simmons posted a message on social media thanking his fans for the birthday wishes. 

“Thank you…I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life!” Simmons wrote. “I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday.”

In early 2017, the “Missing Richard Simmons” podcast, produced by a former friend, delved into his life and career history and tried to discover why he had completely retreated from the public view after living most of his life in the public eye. The podcast covered the stories that had circulated questioning whether he was suffering from depression or was possibly under the influence of his housekeeper.

While other fitness stars like Jack Lalanne, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jane Fonda exhibited impressive physiques and movie-star good looks, Simmons appealed to the average viewer with plucky cheer rather than huge muscles. His neon-hued, sequined exercise wear made him a kitsch icon, although he avoided discussing his sexuality.

“The Richard Simmons Show,” which featured recipes, exercise routines and celebrity guests, ran from 1984 to 1989 and garnered Daytime Emmys for best direction and best talk show. A series of DVD workouts including “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” sold well for years, bringing his upbeat motivation to viewers around the country.

Born Milton Teagle Simmons on July 12, 1948, in New Orleans to a showbiz family, he suffered from asthma as an obese teenager. While he was an overweight exchange student in Italy, he had an uncredited part in “Fellini Satyricon.”

After moving to Los Angeles, Simmons worked as a maître d’ at Derek’s restaurant and began developing an interest in fitness. He was able to lose 123 pounds and in 1974 opened a Beverly Hills fitness studio called The Anatomy Asylum.

As the studio became more successful, he began making appearances on shows such as “Real People” and had a recurring role as himself on “General Hospital.”

After his “Richard Simmons Show” went off the air, he stayed in the public eye with guest appearances on numerous shows such as “Whose Line Is It Anyway?,” “CHiPs” and “Arrested Development.” He was also a frequent guest on the Howard Stern radio show and on “Late Night With David Letterman.”

An upcoming biopic about Simmons’ life was announced in January 2024, with Pauly Shore set to portray the fitness icon. Simmons, who has been a recluse since 2014, spoke out against the film. 

“Hi Everybody! You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read,” Simmons wrote on Facebook. “I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support.”

Simmons was active in charity events, particularly those promoting a healthful lifestyle, and taught classes at his exercise studio. He made himself available for frequent interactions with his many fans, whether they were on movie stars’ homes bus tours, clients of his exercise studio, or passengers on his “Cruise to Lose” cruises. His exercise studio remained in business in Beverly Hills until 2016.

He is survived by a brother.