Richard Simmons, the colorful fitness guru who made aerobic dancing and positive energy a household name for decades, died Saturday, police sources said. He was 76.
Simmons was found at his home and there was no evidence of foul play, sources told The Times.
Simmons began helping obese people lose weight at a Los Angeles gym and eventually appeared on television shows, including a popular appearance on “General Hospital.”
In his autobiography, he said his struggle with obesity inspired him to help others.
Over the years, he hosted several shows, produced fitness videos, and even owned a chain of fitness studios. Meanwhile, he regularly appeared in movies and TV shows.
In recent years, Simmons has become the object of passions, some of them unwanted. He has withdrawn from the public eye and some have been concerned about his health.
In 2017, The Passing of Richard Simmons podcast revisited speculation about Simmons’ well-being, though he denied many of the rumors.
Simmons’ manager, Tom Estey, recently said entertainment tonight who celebrated his 76th birthday developing a new Broadway musical.
Simmons, who has been active on social media, appeared to be in good spirits over the past few days. He posted a black-and-white photo of himself next to a cake on his birthday to celebrate the occasion.
“I have never received so many birthday messages in my life!” Simmons wrote on Facebook“I’m sitting here writing emails. Have the most beautiful Friday ever.”
It was a dramatic change of pace from earlier in the year, when Simmons posted cryptic messages about his death.
“I am… dying,” Simmons wrote on Facebook. “Oh, I can see your face now. The truth is we all die. Every day we get closer to death. Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to enjoy your life every day. Get up in the morning and look up at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy.”
Simmons revealed in March that she had been diagnosed with skin cancer. She noted the “weird background.” under his right eye. According to him, a dermatologist diagnosed it as basal cell carcinoma, one of the most common forms of skin cancer caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
