Fitness guru Richard Simmons has died, two law enforcement sources confirmed to NBC News.
Simmons was found unconscious Saturday in his Hollywood Hills home, the day after his 76th birthday, law enforcement sources said. His exact cause of death is pending.
On Friday, Simmons shared a message on social media thanking fans for the birthday wishes.
“Thank you… I’ve never received so many messages about my birthday in my life!” Simmons wrote. “I’m sitting here writing emails. Have a lovely rest of your Friday.”
He signed the post “Love, Richard.”
Simmons, the fitness trainer known for his eccentric personality and “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” workout videos, rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s after opening several gyms and releasing dozens of fitness videos.
Your site describes him as “one of the world’s most revered and iconic fitness personalities” who has been “an instructor and motivator for over 40 years.”
“By delivering a serious message with his signature humor, he has helped millions of overweight men and women lose more than 3,000,000 pounds by adopting sensible, balanced eating programs and exercise regimens that are energetic, fun and motivating,” a Simmons biography in his book. the site reads.
Simmons grew up in New Orleans and weighed 268 pounds when he graduated from high school, according to his website, which adds that he “took control of his weight” by changing his lifestyle to include moderate eating and exercise.
From there, he took his talents to the West Coast, moving to Los Angeles in 1973, where he was unable to find a gym that “wasn’t for those who were already in shape,” according to his website. So Simmons decided to create one, and SLIMMONS in Beverly Hills opened in 1974.
It was at SLIMMONS that he taught classes and organized seminars until 2013, his website said. His success also led to his own national series, “The Richard Simmons Show,” which ran for four years and won several Emmy Awards.
Simmons also released 65 fitness videos throughout his life, which sold more than 20 million copies, and authored nine books and three cookbooks, according to his website.
Simmons had been somewhat of a recluse since 2014, and in January he spoke out against a biopic being made about his life starring actor and comedian Pauly Shore, which Simmons said he never allowed.
“I never gave my permission for his film. So don’t believe everything you read,” he wrote on Facebook at the time. “I no longer have a manager and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support.”
Since that post, Simmons has been active on social media, often writing motivational messages and sharing stories about moments and people in her life. Posts range in topics from his childhood in New Orleans to racial segregation, fitness and his family.
His death comes just months after he posted a cryptic social media message, writing “I’m…dying.” He later backtracked, but the next day, he shared that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer.
In the March 18 social media post, he wrote that he had “news” to share.
“Please do not be sad. I am dying. Oh, I can see her faces now. The truth is that we are all dying. Every day we live we are getting closer to our death,” Simmons wrote.
“Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to enjoy your life to the fullest every day,” he continued in the post. “Get up in the morning and look at the sky…count your blessings and enjoy.”
The rest of the post included suggestions on how to live a healthy lifestyle and reminders to hug those you love.
Later that day, he posted another update clarifying that he was not dying.
“Sorry, many of you were upset by my message today. Even the press contacted me. I’m not dying,” he wrote. “It was a message about how we should embrace each day we have.”
The next day, he shared that he had been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.
The next day, he shared in another social media post that the issue was resolved after three procedures with an “oncology doctor,” Dr. Ralph A. Massey.
It was not immediately clear whether Simmons’ recent skin cancer diagnosis had anything to do with his death.
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