| Richard Simmons Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 6½ in |
| Weight | 61 kg |
| Date of Birth | July 12, 1948 |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Date of Death | July 13, 2024 |
Richard Simmons was an American fitness personality and public figure who was best known for his flamboyant and energetic personality. He had promoted weight-loss programs through videos like Sweatin’ to the Oldies, Disco Sweat, SuperTonin’: Totally Tonin’ with Toning Rings, Boogie Down the Pounds, and Tonin’ to the Oldies. He had appeared in a variety of TV shows and films such as Family Feud, Late Show with David Letterman, The Roseanne Show, Whose Line Is It Anyway, The Doctors, Password, General Hospital, and many more. Richard had also released books like Deal-A-Meal Cookbook, Reach for Fitness: A Special Book of Exercises for the Physically Challenged, Still Hungry After All These Years: My Story, Sweetie Pie: The Richard Simmons Private Collection of Dazzling Desserts.
Born Name
Milton Teagle Simmons
Nick Name
Richard, Dicky
Age
Richard was born on July 12, 1948.
Died
He died on July 13, 2024, at the age of 76, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., in his sleep. He had, however, fallen in his bathroom 2 days before, on July 11, 2024 (one day before his birthday), in his home.
It is suspected that he had died of a heart attack while asleep.
Sun Sign
Cancer
Born Place
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Nationality
Education
Richard Simmons attended Cor Jesu High School in New Orleans, which has since been rebranded as Brother Martin High School. After graduation, he enrolled in the University of Southwestern Louisiana.
However, he didn’t complete his studies there and instead moved to Florida State University. While studying there, he went to Florence, Italy as an exchange student. He graduated from Florida State University with a BA in Arts.
Occupation
Fitness guru, actor, comedian
Family
- Father – Leonard Douglas Simmons, Sr. (Retired master of ceremonies, thrift shop employee)
- Mother – Shirley May (Former Traveling Fan Dancer, Cosmetics Store Saleswoman)
- Siblings – Leonard Douglas Simmons, Jr. (Older Brother)
Manager
William Morris Endeavor Entertainment
Build
Athletic
Height
5 ft 6½ in or 169 cm
Weight
61 kg or 134.5 lbs
Girlfriend / Boyfriend / Spouse
Richard Simmons had dated –
- Daniel Holt (1992) – The aerobics and fitness guru was reported to have hooked up with Swiss p*rnstar Daniel Holt in 1992. Daniel passed away a year after their short affair.
- Bruce Headrick – Bruce, a gay hustler, has alleged in many interviews that Richard Simmons was one of his best customers in the ’80s. Their first encounter happened at Richard’s house, while his mother was sleeping upstairs. Though these rumors were never confirmed, Richard has never refuted them as well.
Race / Ethnicity
White
Richard had Russian Jewish ancestry on his mother’s side.
Hair Color
Light Brown
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Sexual Orientation
Disputed
Distinctive Features
- Light brown afro hairdo
- Glittering and golden leotards
Brand Endorsements
Over the years, Richard Simmons had used his star power to pocket numerous fitness-related endorsement deals. He had appeared in TV adverts for the following –
- ESPN’s Sports Center
- Citibank
- GEICO
- Yoplait
- Sprint
- Fruit of the Loom Underwear
- Deal-A-Meal
- Bridgestone
He also turned co-host for the Project Hope infomercial that promoted a progressive workout system.
Religion
Roman Catholicism
Best Known For
- Making the Sweatin’ to the Oldies series of aerobics videos.
- His eccentric and unique dressing style.
First Film
His first work in a movie was in the drama fantasy film Fellini Satyricon in 1969 as Nymphomaniac’s Slave. His role was uncredited.
First TV Show
His first TV show appearance was in Everyday as himself in an episode dated March 2, 1979.
Personal Trainer
Richard Simmons himself was a celebrity fitness trainer and owner of the gym called Slimmons in Beverly Hills (which was later closed). He was well known for his vigorous workouts. Even in his advancing age, he still placed faith in aerobics and great dance-inspired routines to keep his body toned and in shape.
When it came to diet, he believed in a balanced diet that had at least seven servings of fruits and vegetables and two servings of low-fat dairy foods daily. He also placed emphasis on drinking lots of water and avoiding pre-packaged foods.
Richard Simmons Facts
- Simmons adopted his first name Richard in honor of an uncle who had given him money to pay his college fees.
- He took his first job at Leah’s in New Orleans in his childhood, which involved selling pralines, a confection that had nuts, sugar, and cream.
- His famous pseudo afro hairstyle was the result of severe hair fall he suffered at the age of 19 due to crazy dieting and three subsequent hair transplant procedures.
- Richard Simmons founded his famous gym studio, Slimmons, in the late 1980s after getting dissatisfied with the established gyms that mostly favored fit people and discouraged beginners.
- At one point, Richard’s weight was about 268 lbs before he got inspired to lose weight after reading an anonymous note left on his car, which read, “Fat people die young. Please don’t die.”
- While appearing on the show General Hospital, Richard was famous for answering every fan mail personally.
- Simmons used to place 100s of telephone calls to those seeking his help on weight loss. Plus, he held weekly chats with fans on his personal website.
- Even in his advancing age, Richard had become famous for his reclusive behavior. It was even speculated in 2016 that he was held hostage by a housekeeper, which he refuted in an audio interview.
- He was diagnosed with skin cancer, which was present below his right eye. He had revealed the diagnosis in March 2024, but it was detected many years before.
