NEW YORK (AP) — Richard Simmons, television’s hyperactive court jester of physical fitness who built a mini-empire in his trademark tank tops and short shorts by urging the overweight to exercise and eat better, passed away on Saturday at the age of 76. He celebrated his 76th birthday just the day before.
Simmons passed away at his residence in Los Angeles, as confirmed by his publicist Tom Estey in an email to The Associated Press. Further details about his passing were not provided.
The Los Angeles police and fire departments reported responding to a residence, which matches Simmons’ address in public records, where a man was pronounced dead due to natural causes.
Having disclosed a skin cancer diagnosis in March 2024, Simmons had been out of the public eye recently, leading to speculation about his health and well-being. His passing was first reported by TMZ.
Simmons, formerly a 268-pound teenager, rose to fame through various media platforms, sharing his weight-loss tips as the host of the Emmy-winning daytime show “Richard Simmons Show” and author of best-selling books, including the diet plan Deal-A-Meal. Additionally, he established exercise studios, starred in exercise videos, such as the popular “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” series, which became a cultural phenomenon.
“My food plan and diet are simply two words — common sense. With a touch of humor,” he told The Associated Press in 1982. “I aim to assist people and create a healthier, happier world.”
Simmons leveraged mass communication to spread his message, despite becoming a target for jokes due to his outfits and flamboyant style. He was a sought-after guest on TV shows hosted by Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, and Phil Donahue. However, he was also famously pranked by David Letterman and teased by Howard Stern to the point of tears. He was parodied in Neil Simon’s “The Goodbye Girl” on Broadway in 1993, and Eddie Murphy portrayed him in “The Nutty Professor,” exclaiming “I’m a pony!”
When asked if his silliness could motivate people, Simmons replied, “I believe there’s a time for seriousness and a time for silliness. It’s knowing when to employ each. I strive to strike a nice balance. Being silly alleviates depression, catches people off guard, and stimulates thinking. However, amidst the silliness, there is a wealth of sensible advice. It’s a unique form of training.”
Simmons’ daytime show reached audiences in 200 stations across America and in countries like Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan, and South America. His first book, “Never Say Diet,” was a huge success.
He was known to assist severely obese individuals, including Rosalie Bradford, who held records for being the world’s heaviest woman, and Michael Hebranko, who credited Simmons for helping him shed 700 pounds. Simmons featured real people — of various body types — in his exercise videos to make fitness goals seem attainable.
Throughout his career, Simmons remained critical of fad diets, emphasizing the importance of healthy eating and exercise plans. “There will always be strange trends like eating four grapes before bed, consuming a special tea, or purchasing a magical bean from El Salvador,” he commented to the AP in 2005 during the Atkins diet craze. “If you monitor your portions, maintain a positive attitude, and exercise daily, you will live longer, feel better, and look fantastic.”
Originally from New Orleans, Simmons, named Milton by his parents, was a chubby child. (He changed his name to “Richard” around age 10 to boost his self-esteem). He would joke that he overate because he believed his parents favored his older brother. Teased by classmates, he reached nearly 200 pounds.
Simmons mentioned to the AP that his mother religiously watched exercise guru Jack LaLanne’s TV show during his childhood, though he did not initially appreciate the fitness enthusiast. “I despised him,” Simmons admitted. “I wasn’t receptive to his message because he was healthy, fit, and had a positive outlook, none of which I possessed.”
While studying in Italy as a foreign exchange student, Simmons starred in peanut butter commercials and gluttonous eating scenes for director Federico Fellini in his film “Fellini Satyricon.” Reflecting on the experience, Simmons shared, “I was overweight with curly hair. The Italians found me hysterical. I was the life of the party.”
His life took a turn after receiving an anonymous note. “One gloomy, rainy day, I returned to my car and discovered a message. It read, ‘Dear Richard, you’re very funny, but overweight people die young. Please don’t die.'” Shocked, he embarked on a starvation diet that left him thin but severely ill.
After the crash diet, he regained 65 pounds. Eventually, he developed a sensible plan to shed the weight and keep it off. “I entered this field because I couldn’t find anything that suited me,” he explained.
During his absence from the public eye for several years, some media outlets speculated that Simmons was being held captive in his own home. In phone interviews with “Entertainment Tonight” and the “Today” show, Simmons refuted these claims and assured fans that he was enjoying his solitude. Filmmaker-writer Dan Taberski, one of his regular students, launched a podcast in 2017 titled “Missing Richard Simmons.”
In 2022, Simmons broke his silence of six years with his spokesperson informing The New York Post that the beloved fitness icon was “living the life he has chosen.”
Among the tributes following Simmons’ passing was one from actor-comedian Pauly Shore, who had previously worked on an unauthorized biopic of Simmons, a project Simmons had objected to at that time.
“I just received the news like everyone else that the wonderful Richard Simmons has left us,” Shore began in an Instagram post. “I hope you’re at peace, shining brightly in the heavens,” he added. “You’re truly one-of-a-kind, Richard. An incredible life. An incredible story.”
___ Mark Kennedy can be found at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
Associated Press writers Stefanie Dazio and Andrew Dalton contributed from Los Angeles.
