Milton Teagle “Richard” Simmons has died, his rep confirmed on Saturday. His death was announced one day after celebrating his 76th birthday.
The Los Angeles Police Department responded to Simmons’s home after a 911 call from his housekeeper, TMZ reports. No foul play is suspected.
Simmons gained national fame due to his “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” workout videos and popular television show.
He developed a passion for promoting health and wellness through exercise after his long battle with childhood obesity. Simmons said he began to overeat and became obese as early as age 4.
Simmons opened his first gym, called The Anatomy Asylum, in Beverly Hills. The gym was renamed the Slimmons Studio and operated until it was closed in November 2016.
After moving to Los Angeles in the 1970s, and opening his gym, Simmons began selling VHS videos teaching healthy eating and aerobics in a supportive environment.
The videos were a huge hit and Simmons began teaching motivational classes and aerobics throughout the week.
His popular videos gained media attention and Simmons made the rounds on daytime talk shows, preaching weight loss through aerobic exercise.
Simmons made cameo appearances as himself on television shows and he played a recurring role as himself on General Hospital.
Simmons also appeared in television commercials for Sprint, Yoplait, and Herbal Essence shampoos. In late 2007, he was in a “This is SportsCenter” commercial on ESPN as the show’s “conditioning coach”.
The workout guru stepped away from the limelight in his final years. Simmons was a victim of numerous online death hoaxes that forced him out of retirement.
