Sad news of the death of fitness guru Richard Simmons began spreading on Saturday afternoon, the latest in a string of high-profile deaths this week that include Shelley Duvall and Dr. Ruth Westheimer.
There is little information available at this time, but it has been confirmed that Simmons' housekeeper found him unresponsive in his home on Friday, one day after celebrating his 76th birthday, and called 911. According to ABC News, Simmons appears to have died of natural causes and no foul play is suspected.
Seconds after his death was announced, fans and fellow celebrities began flooding social media with tributes to the reclusive figure, whose life story is being adapted into a biopic by Pauly Shore, much to Simmons's wishes.
“Richard Simmons preached exercise, diet, and above all else, kindness,” journalist Richard Roeper wrote in a post on X. “He positively impacted thousands, tens of thousands of lives, and I am one of hundreds, hundreds of TV people who soaked up his energy and gladly accepted those crazy hugs. Rest in peace.”
“I am so devastated by the loss of @theweightsaint… We did so many shows together, had so many laughs and hugs. I considered him a dear friend who changed so many lives over the years,” Sally Jessy Raphael wrote.
“My heart is broken over the loss of this very special person. May he rest in peace,” Ricki Lake wrote.
On Friday, Simmons himself posted a message to X's official account, writing, “Thank you… I've never received so many birthday messages in my life! I'm sitting here writing this email right now. Wishing you the best rest of your Friday ever.”
With love, Richard.
