Fitness icon Richard Simmons passed away today,
one day after his 76th birthday.
FOX 11 Chelsea Edwards. She's live in West Hollywood with
reaction tonight,
Chelsea.
Are you being remembered as a cultural phenomenon,
a best selling author, TV host,
Jim owner, and then of course the creator of those
wildly successful and popular exercise videos?
You are never clean. Dressed without a smile.
His unwaveringly positive attitude inspired millions through his energetic workout
videos.
Oh yeah, let me turn you upside down to his
lifelong promotion of kindness.
Turn on your heart. We'll help you do it.
He's a legend and icon.
So sad. Just one day after turning 76,
Richard Simmons passed away in his Hollywood Hills home.
He posted to Facebook on his birthday,
thanking his fans. Quote, I never got so many messages
about my birthday in my life.
I'm sitting here writing emails.
Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday love,
Richard. He also shared a picture of himself as a
child in front of a birthday cake with a single
candle.
Someone who's willing to fitness and who like represents people
in fitness.
He was probably one of the beginners and like the
inspiration for where the fitness industry is today.
News of his death spread quickly on social media.
That's a loss to anyone,
but at the end of the day,
nobody lives forever. He lived a full life.
I don't know him, but he had a great impact.
He was a queer icon.
Look at how long he's been around and look at
all the things he's done.
Many fans shared fond memories of growing up with his
videos.
All the time. Yeah. My mom was like,
we're going to workout today.
And I was like, Richard,
our student. I do. Remember as a young toddler dancing
behind my mom as she was watching?
Simmons career took off in the 1970s and 80s as
a fitness guru and continued for decades,
becoming a familiar face on local and national TV and
appearing on Fox 11.
I'm so excited to meet you today.
I just love your spirit and I love the message
that you spread to everyone and I'm so excited to
introduce you to everybody in the hangout here.
Simmons stopped appearing in public in 2014.
Earlier this year, he announced he'd been diagnosed with skin
cancer but assured fans he was doing well.
Sources say he appeared to have died of natural causes.
It is very much like the end of an era.
It's heartbreaking. In May, Simmons reported a letter for his
fans ending with Roses are red,
Violets are blue. Do you know how much I love
you?
Have a beautiful day, Bye for now.
Can't help but smile hearing his voice.
You know, he said repeatedly throughout his life that his
goal was relatively simple.
It was just to help make the world a healthier
and happier place.
And that's the goal he certainly seemed to achieve.
Achieved reporting live. I'm Chelsea Edwards.
Send it back to you in the studio.
He absolutely did. All right,
Chelsea, thanks so much.