ichard Simmons, television's hyperactive court jester of physical fitness who built a mini-empire in his trademark tank tops and short shorts by urging the overweight to exercise and eat better, died Saturday. He turned 76 on Friday. Simmons died at his home in Los Angeles, his publicist Tom Estey said in an email to The Associated Press.
He gave no further details. Los Angeles police and fire departments say they responded to a house - whose address the AP has matched with Simmons through public records - where a man was declared dead from natural causes. Simmons, who had revealed a skin diagnosis in March 2024, had lately dropped out of sight, sparking speculating about his health and well-being.
His death was first reported by TMZ. Simmons was a former 268-pound teen who became a master of many media forms, sharing his hard-won weight-loss tips as host of the Emmy-winning daytime "Richard Simmons Show" and author of best-selling books and the diet plan Deal-A-Meal. He also opened exercise studios and starred exercise videos, including the wildly successful "Sweatin' to the Oldies" line, which became a cultural phenomenon.
"My food plan and diet are just two words - common sense. With a dash of good humor," he told The Associated Press in 1982. "I want to help people and make the world a healthier, happy place.
" Simmons embraced mass communication to get his message out, even as he eventually became the butt of jokes for his outfits and flamboyant flair. He was a sought-aft.