Richard Simmons
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The official cause of famed fitness guru Richard Simmons’ death is currently under investigation, but “no foul play was involved.”
Simmons died on Saturday, and the coroner’s office announced on Monday that the determination of the cause of death had been deferred, meaning further investigation and testing is required, People magazine reported.
Simmons rose to fame in the 1980s as a motivational speaker and weight-loss instructor renowned for his health and well-being methods. He ran a fitness studio in Los Angeles, starred in his own exercise show, and sold millions of copies of his aerobics videos and DVD, Sweatin’ to the Oldies. He wrote several books, including 1980’s Richard Simmons’ Never-Say-Diet Book, and later appeared as himself on various television shows, including Arrested Development, Amazing Stories, CHiPs, The Larry Sanders Show and General Hospital.
His public appearances have decreased significantly since he closed his fitness studio and retired from public life about a decade ago.
The New York Daily News reported in March 2016 that Simmons was being held against his will in his home. However, after not being seen in public for nearly two years, Simmons denied the allegations, saying on the Today Show that “nobody is holding me hostage in my house.” In 2017, writer, director and podcaster Dan Taberski attempted to solve the mystery of the fitness mogul’s retreat from the spotlight on his podcast, Missing Richard Simmons. In January, Simmons said he would not approve of the upcoming release of a biopic about him starring Pauly Shore.
Simmons’ cause of death was unknown at the time his death was announced. A representative for Simmons told The Hollywood Reporter that he died early Saturday morning at his Los Angeles home.
His brother Lenny said afterwards that the news was a “real shock”.
“He wasn’t feeling too well that day because he thought he had food poisoning or something, but he was getting better and went to bed a little earlier,” he told Entertainment Tonight. “So we didn’t think anything of it. Everybody has a day when they’re not feeling well sometimes. And when[Richard’s housekeeper, Teresa]called me, I was shocked. I called my wife, Kathy, and I said, ‘Come over here. Listen to what[Teresa]has to say.’ And it really just… felt like my soul was sucked out of[my body].”
“I know people miss me,” Simmons told People magazine two days before her death, “and I miss you all too. But I’m able to keep in touch through phone calls and emails, and I do get out of the house every once in a while, but I’m in disguise.”
The night before his death, Simmons took to Facebook to thank fans for wishing him a happy birthday on July 12. “Thank you… I’ve never received so many birthday messages in my life!,” he wrote. “As I sit here writing this email, I wish you the best for the rest of your Friday.”
