LOS ANGELES—Richard Simmons, the fitness guru whose flamboyant personality and infectious energy made him a mainstay of television talk shows and infomercials for years, was found dead at his Hollywood Hills home Saturday, July 13, one day after his 76th birthday. Mr. Simmons’ death was first reported by TMZ.
Authorities were dispatched at 9:55 a.m. Saturday to 1350 Belfast Drive in Hollywood Hills West on a call of a cardiac arrest/suspected death, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
They did not transport anyone to a hospital. The department described it as a “natural death” and said the decedent was 76 years old. Mr.
Simmons’ housekeeper was the one who called authorities, according to multiple media reports. TMZ added later that unnamed law enforcement sources told the website that Mr. Simmons had a fall Friday night, which could have been connected to his death.
Mr. Simmons celebrated his 76th birthday Friday, relayed in a lengthy post on Facebook. “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,” he posted in a follow-up message. After spending years as a ubiquitous figure on television, Mr. Simmons retreated from public appearances in recent years amid rampant speculation about his health.
He was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in 2017 for what was reported to be a gastrointestinal problem. But he told People this week that he felt goo.