Richard Simmons was technically "before my time", but even I grew up seeing his bubbly persona in every single place on TV. What happened to him?
Who does not be mindful TV's unique infomercial god, Richard Simmons? Born Milton Teagle Simmons, the fitness guru adopted the identify Richard Simmons and took over our TV sets as a small time actor and a large time fitness professional. But what ever happened to him?
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What happened to Richard Simmons?
The fitness wealthy person got interested in healthier living after shifting to Los Angeles in the '70s and getting work as a Maitre d'hotel at Derek's restaurant. He controlled to lose 123lbs but noticed that a lot of established gyms on the time looked as if it would cater to already have compatibility other folks and now not those who had been looking to get out of dangerous ruts. Which is why he established an workout studio referred to as The Anatomy Asylum which later became Slimmons.
The asylum made fitness a laugh and bolstered a good tradition that centered closely on healthy consuming and attractive its person base in exercise routines that have been a blast to take part in. His ebullience helped introduced his health club right into a fitness empire and for many years, he was an enormous game-changer in the world of fitness. He would go on to seem on a variety of information segments, communicate shows, or even roles in TV shows and flicks.
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He had a 4-year stint on General Hospital, where he played his nutrition-loving, effervescent self. In the early '80s, he even had his personal Emmy-award profitable talk program, The Richard Simmons Show, and a meals program known as Slim Cookin. He used to be featured in more than a few commercials too: Yoplait, Herbal Essences, and SportsCenter, who cast him as ESPN's conditioning coach in 2007. He even hosted his personal Sirius radio program, Lighten Up with Richard Simmons, between 2006 and 2008.
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It turns out like the man was all over, at all times stoning up in the public eye, a cheerful beacon and reminder that getting into the form you wish to have and having a healthier way of life could be a laugh. So the place did he cross?
In 2016, the health guru held his ultimate exercise session at his Slimmons fitness center. The industry thrived for Forty two years sooner than Richard finally decided to name it quits.
In a remark with Entertainment Tonight, the health maven mentioned, "In 1974, I opened Slimmons as a way to help people make positive changes in their lives by having fun while exercising. It was a place to make friends, listen to and learn from others, lose weight and gain confidence. These were all the reasons I went to Slimmons too!”
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And although the world of fitness has definitely changed over the past few decades, Slimmons and the work that Richard did for his customers stayed relevant: "Over the years hundreds got here to giggle and sweat with me. I’ve dedicated my existence to serving to others really feel higher about themselves they usually helped me to do the similar. Thank you for at all times supporting and loving me," he continued in his statement.
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As to the reason why he shut down the studio, the closure came after the personality was hospitalized for severe dehydration and he wanted to take some time to "maintain himself."
There were a ton of rumors surrounding Richard's "disappearance" over the years. Like false reports that he was transitioning into a woman or that he was being held hostage by his housekeeper.
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His brother, Lenny, categorically denied all of the strange reports circling his brother's self-imposed exile from media and public appearances and says that not only is Richard healthy and looking after himself, but he is doing just fine and wanted to have alone time: "After 40-some odd years, he just made up our minds that he needs to rest. He’s 68 years old now and he’s in just right well being, but he simply needs time for himself."
Richard's spokesman, Tommy Estey added: "He’s helped hundreds of thousands of folks lose thousands and thousands of kilos. And for Forty years, he took care of everyone however himself." Richard's "nice man personality" wasn't just a persona. The man's never had a notable public scandal, and he became renowned for his sincerity as he would spend hours upon hours every week personally calling and talking to those who struggled with getting healthy.
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Did Richard Simmons die?
When TMZ began promoting "What Really Happened to Richard Simmons," many assumed it was because he had died. Rather, Richard is presumably doing just fine. He keeps a low profile these days, so most people don't know what he's up to day-to-day. But he's still alive.
The 74-year-old New Orleans native has certainly accomplished a lot and has been in the spotlight for a long time in his career. The fact that he had parents who were in show business means that he was probably exposed to "the trade" much more than his 40+ yr career suggests. So while Richard is not on camera and making public appearances anymore, he is on no account dead.
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