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News, Obituaries

Legendary Fitness Icon Richard Simmons Dies At 76

by Dana Daly

Published July 13, 2024

Rest in peace Richard Simmons
  • Richard Simmons died on July 13 at the age of 76.
  • Simmons had been found unresponsive at his home, and his official cause of death is still pending.
  • Simmons was a famous fitness personality known for his promotion of weight loss programs.

 

On July 13, Richard Simmons died. He was 76 years old when he passed away one day after his birthday. Simmons had been found unresponsive in his Hollywood Hills home on Saturday, two law enforcement sources told NBC News. By time of writing, the cause of death is still pending.

Related:

  1. Richard Simmons: The Latest on TV’s Best Known Fitness Guru
  2. Fitness Instructor Admits She Used To Mock Her Mom For Working Out To Richard Simmons

Simmons was a fitness icon known for his weight loss programs, most especially his Sweatin’ to the Oldies aerobics videos. He would become a frequent and memorable guest on radio shows and television programs, including The Late Show with David Letterman and The Howard Stern Show.

Richard Simmons has died suddenly, months after a poignant message to fans

Just three months prior to his passing, Simmons shared a grave health update with his fans on social media. “I have some news to tell you,” he announced, “Please don’t be sad. I am …. dying. Oh I can see your faces now. The truth is we all are dying. Every day we live we are getting closer to our death.” At the time, the message had not actually been meant as a warning but as an encouragement to “embrace every day that we have.”

Kicking off his career in 1968, Simmons had all but disappeared from the spotlight as of 2014. However, he recently announced a comeback in the form of an interactive Broadway musical. The announcement came not long after the release of Court Jester, a short film about Simmons played by Pauly Shore.

Taking the world of fitness by storm and to new terrain

The fitness icon had just announced a comeback
The fitness icon had just announced a comeback / Everett Collection

Simmons was born on July 12, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of “show-business parents.” His early childhood and adolescence was marked by struggles with obesity. As early as five years of age, his weight inspired hurtful, negative reactions from those around them—and at that young an age, Simmons was aware of the vitriol he was the target of. He weighed 182 pounds by age 15, and at his heaviest, he weighed 268 pounds.

RELATED: In Memoriam — All The People We Lost In 2023

After moving to Los Angeles and working as the maître d’hôtel at a Beverly Hills restaurant, Simmons began his fascination with fitness.

Richard Simmons died just months after a meaningful post about life and death
Richard Simmons died just months after a meaningful post about life and death / Everett Collection

In particular, he noticed that institutions like gyms catered to those who were already fit, or near enough where they physically wanted to be and had only to maintain it—but where was the place catering to those who were coming from an unhealthy place that wanted to achieve fitness for themselves? Simmons completely changed the game by focusing on this underserved demographic, transforming the process of accessing and maintaining fitness into something for everyone.

Simmons filled a completely unrepresented niche in the world of fitness
Simmons filled a completely unrepresented niche in the world of fitness / Everett Collection

RELATED: Reclusive Richard Simmons Breaks Silence On His 75th Birthday

Next up: ‘Knots Landing’ And ‘General Hospital’ Star Doug Sheehan Dies At Age 75
Previous article: Kevin Bacon Wore Elaborate Disguise To Spend The Day As Average Person
Next Post: When All Of America Had A Crush On Him, Barry Williams Rejected Social Life To Focus On Career

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