Richard Simmons Dies: Fitness Guru For TV, Video And Books Was 76

Fitness instructor Richard Simmons has died just a day after his 76th birthday, according to a report.

Simmons thanked fans on social media for their birthday wishes on Friday, making his death even more shocking.

TMZ was the first to report the death, which happened at his Hollywood Hills home. Police were summoned by a housekeeper, who told the outlet they believe it was a natural death.

Simmons was something of a recluse in recent years. His remoteness led to wellness checks on several occasions and speculation on his safety.

Before he retreated, he was a frequent guest on many TV shows, playing a humorous foil for everyone from David Letterman to Donny and Marie.

Simmons said in March he had been diagnosed with skin cancer.

In a rare interview with People Magazine this week, he said he “feels good” despite his age. ”I am grateful that I’m here, that I am alive for another day,” he said. “I’ll spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is to help people.” 

Simmons said earlier he was planning to open a Broadway musical with producer and composer Patrick Leonard.

On Friday, Simmons posted to Facebook, thanking fans for their well-wishes.

“Thank you…I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday. Love, Richard.”

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Born and raised in Louisiana, Simmons admitted he weighed 268 pounds when he graduated high school. By adjusting his eating habits and incorporating moderate exercise, he managed to lose weight. It was a methodology that he shared with millions over his career.

He moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s and opened a fitness studio, SLIMMONS, in Beverly Hills. His following there grew into the nationally syndicated The Richard Simmons Show on TV, where he gave fitness instructions to viewers at home. The show ran for four years and earned multiple Emmy awards.

He later was behind one of the all-time biggest fitness video empires with his “Sweatin’ To The Oldies” video series.

His website describes him as “one of the world’s most revered and iconic fitness personalities” who has been an “instructor and motivator for over 40 years.”

“By delivering a serious message with his trademark humor, he has helped millions of overweight men and women lose more than 3,000,000 pounds by adopting sensible, balanced eating programs and exercise regimes that are energetic, fun and motivating,” a biography for Simmons on his website reads.

Simmons released 65 fitness videos over the course of his life, which sold more than 20 million copies, and authored nine books and three cookbooks, according to his website.

In January, he spoke out against an upcoming biopic being made about his life starring actor and comedian Pauly Shore, which Simmons said he never permitted. 

“I have never given my permission for his movie. So don’t believe everything you read,” he wrote on Facebook at the time. “I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support.”

Since that post, Simmons had been active on social media.

No information on survivors was immediately available.