(NationalUSNews.com) — The energetic everyman fitness icon Richard Simmons died on Saturday July 13, only one day after his 76th birthday.
Simmons was a beloved figure in the exercise and dieting sphere, well known for his positive attitude and good-natured interactions with fans. Simmons, who had mostly retired from public life, has been reaching out to people more since the 2017 podcast where journalist Dan Taberski speculated about his apparently sudden disappearance. Upon becoming aware of people’s concern for him, Simmons announced he was not missing, but only resting.
Simmons was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1948. He struggled with his weight as a child and recalls watching Jack LaLanne’s exercise program and being inspired to take control of his own health. When he first moved to Los Angeles as a young man in the 1970s, he worked as a waiter. However, he was still fighting with his weight, and he realized that the gyms in notoriously looks-conscious California were tailored for people who were already fit. This eventually led to him opening his own fitness studio, which was originally called The Anatomy Asylum. He later renamed it to Slimmons, where he taught classes for almost 40 years.
His infectious enthusiasm and charismatic personality led to a four-year stint playing himself on the soap opera General Hospital. He also put out over 65 exercise videos, including the fan favorite series Sweatin’ to the Oldies. He made many television appearances over the years, authored nine books as well as three cookbooks, and hosted a radio show on Sirius Radio. His weight-loss empire was fueled by his kind and fun demeanor and the genuine connection he seemed to have with his fans.
In recent years, he sometimes interacted with supporters online, although occasionally his messages confused and concerned people and he needed to later clarify them. His messages, while sometimes cryptic, were almost always meant to be inspirational. While proud of his impact on the health and fitness world, he admitted that he was actually fairly introverted until the “curtain goes up”. The cause of Simmons death is being investigated and the results may take several months. However, at the moment, foul play is not suspected, as it seems to have been the result of a recent fall he experienced at home.
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