Richard Simmons, a renowned television personality known for his exuberant spirit and dedication to health and fitness, passed away on a recent weekend, one day after celebrating his 76th birthday. Richard’s demise took place in his Los Angeles residence, his spokesperson Tom Estey confirmed without giving any further detail. According to local police and fire departments, they visited a home, confirmed to belong to Richard via public records, where they declared a man deceased due to natural causes.
Known for his iconic workout outfits, Simmons was upfront about his skin condition diagnosis in March 2024 and disappeared from public view shortly thereafter, causing many to speculate about his health. His death announcement was first made public by TMZ. Once tipping the scales at 268 pounds as a teenager, Richard’s life transformation into a fitness guru inspired millions. He was the host of the Emmy-winning ‘Richard Simmons Show,’ wrote bestselling books, launched the diet program ‘Deal-A-Meal,’ and started his own exercise studios.
He also achieved considerable fame through his high-energy exercise videos, notably the ‘Sweatin’ to the Oldies’ series. Such immense popularity turned the series into a cultural touchstone. Simmons leveraged various media platforms to disseminate his weight-loss guidance, even as his flamboyant personality and unmistakable workout attire became a source of humor for some. His demeanor made him a sought-after figure on various TV programs hosted by Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, and Phil Donahue.
However, his appearances on David Letterman’s show often ended with pranks, while Howard Stern’s teasing resulted in tears. Richard’s persona was parodied in Neil Simon’s Broadway production, ‘The Goodbye Girl,’ in 1993. Eddie Murphy also channeled Simmons’ vivacity in ‘The Nutty Professor’—adorned in white makeup and garishly sporting Richard’s unique look while shouting, ‘I’m a pony!’ In response to whether his humorous approach to promotion was effective, Simmons believed the balance between seriousness and silliness was a potent combination to motivate people.
His daytime show was broadcast on 200 stations across the United States and was also popular in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan, and South America. Richard’s first book, ‘Never Say Diet,’ was a tremendous success. He helped severely overweight individuals, such as Rosalie Bradford, once the world’s heaviest woman, and Michael Hebranko, who attributed his 700-pound weight loss to Richard’s guidance.
Richard made a conscious effort to feature ordinary people—those who may not naturally fit into a TV frame— in his workout videos, so as to communicate the accessibility of his fitness goals. Through different stages of his career, Richard continuously criticized fad diets, while consistently advocating for healthy eating and regular exercise. He once said in 2005, amidst the rush of the Atkins diet fad, that the key to longevity and good health is simply portion control, positivity, and daily exercise.
Richard was born as Milton in New Orleans—a plump boy who later changed his name to improve his self-image. He often admitted that overeating was a coping mechanism, stemming from an ingrained belief that his parents favored his older brother. He was often the target of school bullies and eventually weighed nearly 200 pounds. He recalled his mother’s devotion to fitness star Jack LaLanne’s TV program, but expressed his own disdain for LaLanne, finding it difficult to appreciate his message due to personal struggles with obesity.
During a foreign exchange student program in Italy, Richard found unexpected fame, appearing in peanut butter commercials and performing indulgent eating scenes in Federico Fellini’s film ‘Fellini Satyricon.’ He confessed that as a plump, curly-haired individual, he was a source of amusement to the Italians. However, a life-altering note he found in his car one rainy day warned him of the health risks associated with obesity, a message that prompted him to attempt a starvation diet, which resulted in serious illness.
After falling ill, Richard put on 65 pounds. This health scare led him to develop a sensible plan to remove excess weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Richard felt compelled to enter the health and fitness industry after getting disillusioned with pre-existing solutions. In the years leading up to his death, Richard’s absence from the public spotlight led to rampant speculations, including rumors of him being under duress at home. He refuted these claims during separate phone interviews with ‘Entertainment Tonight’ and the ‘Today’ show, asserting that he was simply enjoying his privacy.
His student Dan Taberski, also a filmmaker and writer, began a podcast in 2017 titled ‘Missing Richard Simmons’ to find out more about his disappearance. In 2022, Richard’s spokesperson broke his six-year silence, telling the New York Post that Richard was ‘living the life he has chosen.’
After his passing was announced, actor-comedian Pauly Shore, who was formally objected to by Richard for creating an unauthorized biopic about him, paid a moving tribute to him on Instagram. Without harboring any ill-will, Pauly wrote, ‘I hope you’re at peace and twinkling up in the heavens’, adding, ‘You’re one of a kind, Richard. An amazing life. An amazing story.’
We can’t deny the profound impact that Richard Simmons had on the world of fitness and beyond. His unyielding commitment to a healthier lifestyle, coupled with his personal transformation, inspired countless people struggling with weight issues. Simmons not only introduced enjoyable workouts to the world but also reminded us of the joy and healing power of silliness amidst our serious pursuits.
His firm stand against fad diets and his dedication towards sensible eating and regular exercise have shaped countless lives and continue to guide many towards sustainable health practices. Richard Simmons, a relentless advocate for health and wellness, has been instrumental in the lives of millions who were comforted by his relatability, inspired by his personal story, and empowered by his enthusiastic motivation.
His dedication to welcoming and guiding people of all shapes and sizes sent a message—fitness is for everyone. It is not a privilege reserved for the traditionally ‘telegenic’ alone. He dedicated his career to breaking down the barriers of stigma and stereotype in the world of fitness, buoyed by the belief that everyone deserves to feel better, look terrific, and live longer.
Simmons was also sensitive towards people’s emotional wellbeing, understanding that happiness plays a crucial role in personal health. He confronted his own insecurities and channeled his personal journey into a message of strength and self-acceptance. His story is not just about weight loss, it’s about discovering self-love, stronger will, healthier habits, and spreading that message to the world.
His legacy remains an invitation—an invitation to not let past failures define us, but to take hold of our lives and push towards healthier, happier futures. From one man’s journey, he moved to becoming synonymous with an entire culture of fitness, health, and positivity. Undoubtedly, Richard Simmons led an amazing life, an amazing story—one full of joy, challenges, perseverance, and immeasurable impact that continues to inspire generations.