Fitness Guru released a hit album in 1982

Richard Simmons, the flamboyant and unapologetically positive fitness guru, died Saturday (July 13) at his Hollywood Hills home. His death, which appeared to be of natural causes, came one day after his 76th birthday.

Simmons’ multifaceted fitness empire included at least 12 books, 10 CDs and 22 DVDs, including five of his signature volumes. Sweating to the rhythm of the Oldies.

Simmons had a platinum album in 1982 with Reachwhich topped the Billboard 200 for 40 weeks. The album featured motivational songs performed by Simmons such as “What Are You Waiting For?”, “You Can Do It”, “Wake Up”, “Reach” and “Live It”.

Simmons’ album entered the Billboard 200 the week ending June 5, 1982, one week after Jane Fonda’s Workout Record Jane Fonda’s double album reached number 15 on the charts and went double platinum. It consisted mainly of catchy songs such as “Can You Feel It” by the Jacksons and “Stomp!” by the Brothers Johnson. Both albums were part of the fitness craze of the time, which was also immortalized in Olivia Newton-John’s 1981 video “Physical.”

Simmons’ colorful personality made him a natural fit for television, where he gained his greatest fame. From 1980 to 1984, he hosted his own daytime talk show. The Richard Simmons Showfocusing on personal health, fitness, exercise and healthy cooking. He has also made frequent appearances as himself in General Hospital and many other programs.

He was also a frequent guest on late-night television and radio shows, such as Late Night with David Letterman (NBC) and Late Show with David Letterman (CBS) and The Howard Stern Showwhere these hosts knew how far they could tease Simmons without crossing the line into cruelty. Simmons, dressed in his signature Dolphins shorts and sparkly tank tops, always seemed to be in the game.

He understood his role in show business. In a 2012 interview with Men’s healthHe is quoted as saying: “When the king is depressed, he doesn’t call his wife or the cook. He turns to the little man in the pointy hat and says to the court jester, ‘Make me laugh.’ And I am that court jester.”

Simmons was born Milton Teagle Simmons was born on July 12, 1948, in New Orleans. He grew up in the French Quarter, where, as he noted in his biography, “lard was a food group and dessert was mandatory.” Simmons struggled with his weight from an early age. He reportedly weighed 270 pounds when he graduated from high school.

After moving to Los Angeles in the 1970s, Simmons became interested in fitness. He opened an exercise studio, Anatomy Asylum, later renamed Slimmons. His interest in fitness helped him lose over 100 pounds. In 2010, he proudly announced that he had managed to keep the weight off for 42 years.

Simmons has not made any major public appearances since 2014. In February 2017, the podcast Richard Simmons Missing launched, investigating why Simmons left public life so suddenly.

In August 2022, in response to persistent rumors and a TMZ documentary, What Really Happened to Richard SimmonsSimmons released a statement to the The New York Post that he “is happy, healthy and living the life he has chosen to live.”

In March 2024, Simmons revealed that he had been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, located under his right eye. That same month, Simmons released a statement clarifying that he was not dying, after a cryptic Facebook post he wrote sparked public concern.

“I’m dying,” Simmons wrote on Facebook. “Oh, I can see your faces now. The truth is, we’re all dying. Every day we live, we’re getting closer to our death. Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to live your life to the fullest every day. Get up in the morning and look up at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy them.”

Earlier this year, actor Pauly Shore portrayed Simmons in a short film called The court jester, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. While promoting the film, Shore teased the production of a longer biopic about the fitness icon

Simmons, however, made it clear that he was not in favor of the film.

“You may have heard that they might make a movie about me with Pauly Shore,” Simmons wrote in a message. “I never agreed to that movie. So don’t believe everything you read.”

Simmons, who has been active on social media, appeared to be in good spirits on Friday, his birthday. He posted a black-and-white photo of himself next to a cake. “I have never received so many messages about my birthday in my entire life!” Simmons wrote on Facebook. “I’m sitting here writing emails. Have a great rest of your Friday.”