58 Facts About Richard Simmons

Milton Teagle "Richard" Simmons was an American fitness instructor and television personality.

Richard Simmons was a promoter of weight-loss programs, most prominently through his television show, The Richard Simmons Show and later the Sweatin' to the Oldies line of aerobics videos.

Richard Simmons was often parodied and was a frequent guest on late-night television and radio talk shows, such as the Late Show with David Letterman and The Howard Stern Show.

Richard Simmons continued to promote health and exercise through a decades-long career, and later broadened his activities to include political activism, such as in 2008 in support of a bill mandating non-competitive physical education in public schools as a part of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Milton Teagle Richard Simmons was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on July 12,1948, to Leonard Douglas Richard Simmons Sr.

Richard Simmons was born to "show-business parents" and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

Richard Simmons became a practicing Catholic in adolescence and attended Cor Jesu High School.

Richard Simmons attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette before graduating from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in art.

Richard Simmons became obese during his early childhood and adolescence.

Richard Simmons began to overeat and became overweight as early as the age of 4 and by the age of 5, he knew it was perceived negatively.

Richard Simmons opened his own exercise studio, originally called The Anatomy Asylum, where emphasis was placed on healthy eating in proper portions and enjoyable exercise in a supportive atmosphere.

Later renamed Slimmons, the establishment continued operations in Beverly Hills and Richard Simmons taught motivational classes and aerobics throughout the week.

Richard Simmons's success led to a recurring role in General Hospital portraying himself over a four-year period and then to his own television series The Richard Simmons Show, which aired from 1980 to 1984 and earned him multiple Emmy awards.

In 2010, Richard Simmons stated he had maintained his own 100+ pound weight loss for 42 years, had been helping others lose weight for 35 years, and that in the course of his fitness career, had helped humanity lose approximately 12 million pounds.

Richard Simmons began to receive media attention due to the success of his health club that started with him on Real People.

Richard Simmons introduced customers whom he had helped to lose weight.

Richard Simmons later had guest roles on Battlestars, Super Password, Win, Lose or Draw, Body Language, Match Game, Hollywood Squares, and Nickelodeon's Figure It Out.

Positive viewer reactions landed Richard Simmons a recurring role as himself in General Hospital over a four-year period.

Richard Simmons portrayed himself in the Amazing Stories episode "Remote Control Man".

Richard Simmons was a guest on The Rosie O'Donnell Show on November 18,1997, together with Celine Dion.

Richard Simmons was a frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show, his last appearance coming in 2013.

Richard Simmons was a guest on Late Night with David Letterman and the Late Show with David Letterman, but on November 22,2000, they had a falling-out after an incident on that night's show.

Richard Simmons did not appear on the Letterman show for six years, finally returning on November 29,2006.

When Richard Simmons turned the steamer on, something in the tray exploded and caught fire, sending Richard Simmons running for his life.

In 1998, Richard Simmons provided the voice of Boone in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie.

Richard Simmons featured in television advertisements for Sprint, Yoplait, and Herbal Essence shampoos.

Richard Simmons appeared multiple times on The Glenn Beck Program on HLN.

Richard Simmons provided the voice of Coach Salmons, a recurring character modeled after his own likeness, for Fish Hooks.

In January 2024, an as-yet untitled biopic about Richard Simmons, starring Pauly Shore, was announced, titled The Court Jester.

Richard Simmons became Catholic as a teenager, having first asked his parents if he could convert as a younger child.

Richard Simmons attended church with his brother Lenny for years until being baptized and confirmed on the same day.

Richard Simmons considered the priesthood for a time, but decided against it.

Richard Simmons lapsed as an older adult, but returned to the faith in his later years.

Richard Simmons used his energetic, loud, and motivational demeanor to encourage people to lose weight.

Richard Simmons interacted at a personal level with fans and people using his products.

Richard Simmons turns to the little man with the pointed hat and says to the court jester "make me laugh".

In March 2004, Richard Simmons was cited for misdemeanor assault after he slapped Christopher Farney in the face at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

In May 2004, a judge dismissed the assault charge after Richard Simmons reached a private settlement with Farney.

In September 2005, Richard Simmons appeared on Entertainment Tonight to discuss the effects of Hurricane Katrina on his family in his hometown of New Orleans, and his involvement in aiding those affected by the hurricane.

In February 2017, the podcast Missing Richard Simmons launched, investigating why Simmons left public life so suddenly.

In September 2017, Richard Simmons lost the lawsuit and was ordered to pay the defendants' attorney's fees.

In June 2018, he sued a Los Angeles private investigator, claiming that more than a year earlier, the investigator had placed a tracking device on the only vehicle Richard Simmons used for transportation, noting that such tracking is in violation of California law.

In July 2018, Richard Simmons amended the suit, alleging the investigator had been hired by In Touch Weekly and prosecutors filed a criminal complaint.

Richard Simmons did not want to continue working if he was not able to fully perform up to expectations.

Richard Simmons was nervous about aging, claiming to her that he did not "look that beautiful anymore".

Richard Simmons would donate money to charities he supported, including the Kiwanis Children's Fund.

Two days before his death, Richard Simmons had conducted his first interview in a significant amount of time with People.

On his birthday, Richard Simmons stated that he is grateful to be alive for another day and would spend his birthday helping people.

In March 2024, Richard Simmons issued a statement clarifying that he was not dying after a Facebook post he wrote encouraging people to "embrace every day" drew public concern.

Richard Simmons stated that he no longer had a manager or publicist, and that he had not given permission for a biopic of him.

That same month, Richard Simmons revealed that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer, located underneath his right eye.

Richard Simmons later stated on his Twitter account that the cancer diagnosis occurred "so many years ago" and he decided to speak out about it to encourage people to go to the doctor if they see anything unusual on their body.

On July 13,2024, Richard Simmons died at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 76.

Richard Simmons had suffered a fall at his home in his bathroom two days prior and refused to seek medical attention until the following morning out of a desire to spend his 76th birthday at home.

Richard Simmons went to bed and the next day, he posted on social media that he never got so many birthday wishes.

Richard Simmons was found by his long-time house manager Teresa Reveles the next day.

Police said that his death appeared to be from natural causes, though the investigation is ongoing; Reveles suspected that Richard Simmons had suffered a heart attack in his sleep.

Richard Simmons was buried at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary, dressed in his trademark fitness outfit.