Hollywood is mourning the death of popular fitness guru Richard Simmons at the age of 76, just one day after celebrating his birthday.
The Los Angeles Police Department found Simmons unresponsive in his Hollywood Hills home on Saturday after his housekeeper called 911. The celebrity appears to have died from natural causes, and no foul play is suspected, per ABC News.
Simmons, known for his over-the-top enthusiasm and joy for life, is being celebrated by the Hollywood community.
“My heart is broken with the loss of this super special human,” former television talk show host Ricki Lake wrote on X. “May he RIP. #richardsimmons I loved him so so much.”
Fellow fitness star Denise Austin also posted a lengthy tribute on Instagram. “I am heartbroken, as he is someone l have known and started the aerobics business with over 40 years ago,” she wrote alongside photos of herself with Simmons. “Every time we were together we had so much fun… filled with hugs, laughter and tears.”
“I’ll never forget Richard singing through the hallways, hugging my daughters and even sending me a letter when my mom passed,” Austin added. “I cherished our friendship – and I can’t believe I just reached out less than a month ago.”
Actress and leftist activist Jane Fonda shared, “Richard Simmons always wanted people to feel good and be happy. He would go out of his way to make people happy. I often wondered if maybe nobody had made him happy when he was a little boy.”
Fonda went on, “I hope he felt the love so many were sending him these last years. I hope it made him happy. I read he died peacefully in his sleep in his very white home. Rest in Peace, Dear Richard.”
Actor Pauly Shore also shared kind words about the late fitness star. “I just got word like everyone else that the beautiful Richard Simmons has passed,” he wrote.
“I hope you’re at peace and twinkling up in the heavens,” Shore added. “You’re one of a kind, Richard. An amazing life. An amazing story. They broke the dolphin shorts when they made you. Rest in peace, my friend. Rest in peace.”
Richard’s brother, Lenny Simmons, shared a statement about his death on social media.
“I don’t want people to be sad about my brother. I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives,” he said. “He truly cared about people. He called, wrote, and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help.”
“So don’t be sad. Celebrate his life. He was very excited about all of his upcoming ventures he was working on,” Lenny wrote. “We are in shock. Please respect the family at this difficult time.”
Simmons was best known for his “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” aerobics videos in the 1980s. He became intent on helping others lose weight after becoming obese as a young man and then working to get in shape. The workout star had stayed out of the spotlight for the past decade, leading to speculation from fans about what he was up to.
The celeb raised eyebrows in March when he posted a cryptic message about dying following a skin cancer diagnosis.
“I have some news to tell you. Please don’t be sad. I am …. dying,” he wrote in a social media post at the time, as The Daily Wire previously reported. “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.”
“Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to enjoy your life to the fullest every single day,” he continued. “Get up in the morning and look at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy.”
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[[{“value”:”
Hollywood is mourning the death of popular fitness guru Richard Simmons at the age of 76, just one day after celebrating his birthday.
The Los Angeles Police Department found Simmons unresponsive in his Hollywood Hills home on Saturday after his housekeeper called 911. The celebrity appears to have died from natural causes, and no foul play is suspected, per ABC News.
Simmons, known for his over-the-top enthusiasm and joy for life, is being celebrated by the Hollywood community.
“My heart is broken with the loss of this super special human,” former television talk show host Ricki Lake wrote on X. “May he RIP. #richardsimmons I loved him so so much.”
Fellow fitness star Denise Austin also posted a lengthy tribute on Instagram. “I am heartbroken, as he is someone l have known and started the aerobics business with over 40 years ago,” she wrote alongside photos of herself with Simmons. “Every time we were together we had so much fun… filled with hugs, laughter and tears.”
“I’ll never forget Richard singing through the hallways, hugging my daughters and even sending me a letter when my mom passed,” Austin added. “I cherished our friendship – and I can’t believe I just reached out less than a month ago.”
Actress and leftist activist Jane Fonda shared, “Richard Simmons always wanted people to feel good and be happy. He would go out of his way to make people happy. I often wondered if maybe nobody had made him happy when he was a little boy.”
Fonda went on, “I hope he felt the love so many were sending him these last years. I hope it made him happy. I read he died peacefully in his sleep in his very white home. Rest in Peace, Dear Richard.”
Actor Pauly Shore also shared kind words about the late fitness star. “I just got word like everyone else that the beautiful Richard Simmons has passed,” he wrote.
“I hope you’re at peace and twinkling up in the heavens,” Shore added. “You’re one of a kind, Richard. An amazing life. An amazing story. They broke the dolphin shorts when they made you. Rest in peace, my friend. Rest in peace.”
Richard’s brother, Lenny Simmons, shared a statement about his death on social media.
“I don’t want people to be sad about my brother. I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives,” he said. “He truly cared about people. He called, wrote, and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help.”
“So don’t be sad. Celebrate his life. He was very excited about all of his upcoming ventures he was working on,” Lenny wrote. “We are in shock. Please respect the family at this difficult time.”
Simmons was best known for his “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” aerobics videos in the 1980s. He became intent on helping others lose weight after becoming obese as a young man and then working to get in shape. The workout star had stayed out of the spotlight for the past decade, leading to speculation from fans about what he was up to.
The celeb raised eyebrows in March when he posted a cryptic message about dying following a skin cancer diagnosis.
“I have some news to tell you. Please don’t be sad. I am …. dying,” he wrote in a social media post at the time, as The Daily Wire previously reported. “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.”
“Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to enjoy your life to the fullest every single day,” he continued. “Get up in the morning and look at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy.”
“}]]
