Richard Simmons House | What Happened to Richard Simmons? Goodnight Mr. Simmons 2024

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A little about Richard Simmons…

Milton Teagle "Richard" Simmons (born July 12, 1948) is an American fitness personality and public figure, known for his eccentric, flamboyant, and energetic personality. He has promoted weight-loss programs, most prominently through his Sweatin' to the Oldies line of aerobics videos.

Simmons began his weight-loss career by opening his gym Slimmons in Beverly Hills, California, catering to the overweight, and he became widely known through exposure on television and through the popularity of his consumer products. He is often parodied and was a frequent guest of late night television and radio talk shows, such as the Late Show with David Letterman and The Howard Stern Show.

He continued to promote health and exercise through a decades-long career and later broadened his activities to include political activism – such as in 2008 in support of a bill mandating non-competitive physical education in public schools as a part of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Simmons's most recent public appearances were in February 2014, and by 2016 speculation and expressions of concern about his well-being began to surface in the media. Both Simmons and his publicist said the concerns were unwarranted as he simply chose to be less publicly visible.

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Simmons began to upload archival content to his YouTube channel (recorded before his decision to withdraw from public life) to help people stay fit at home.

Simmons has not made any major public appearances since 2014 and stopped appearing in public altogether in February of that year. In March 2016, speculation began that he was being held hostage by his housekeeper. In response, on March 14, 2016, Simmons gave an audio interview on the Today Show, denying the rumors. In November, the Slimmons fitness gym closed, without any public announcement from Simmons. In February 2017, the podcast Missing Richard Simmons launched, investigating why Simmons left public life so suddenly.

In March 2017, LAPD detectives visited Simmons's home to conduct a welfare check, issuing a statement that Simmons is "perfectly fine" and that "right now he is doing what he wants to do and it is his business." On April 19, 2017, following a hospitalization for severe indigestion, Simmons made his first public comment in over a year, posting on Facebook a photo of himself and the message "I'm not 'missing', just a little under the weather". However, the picture that was included in the post was from as far back as 2013, leading to speculation that the person who posted the message might not actually have been Simmons.

In May 2017, he sued the National Enquirer, Radar Online, and American Media, Inc. for libel and false claims that he was undergoing gender reassignment. In September 2017, Simmons lost the lawsuit, and was ordered to pay the defendants' attorney's fees. The judge ruled that "because courts have long held that a misidentification of certain immutable characteristics do not naturally tend to injure one's reputation, even if there is sizeable portion of the population who hold prejudices against those characteristics, misidentification of a person as transgender is not actionable defamation absent special damages."

In June 2018, he sued a Los Angeles private investigator, claiming he had placed a tracking device over a year earlier on the only vehicle Simmons used for transportation, noting that such tracking is in violation of California law. In July 2018, Simmons amended the suit, alleging the investigator had been hired by In Touch Weekly and prosecutors filed a criminal complaint. In May 2020, a California appellate court upheld a trial judge's decision allowing Simmons' lawsuit to move forward.

In August 2022, in response to continued rumors and a TMZ documentary What Really Happened to Richard Simmons claiming that knee problems forced Simmons out of public life, Simmons issued a statement to the New York Post that he "is happy, healthy and living the life he has chosen to live."

[nickyinflorida]

I miss Richard Simmons so much! He was so open about his weight loss & was one of the first to provided diet & exercise programs that were inclusive to everyone. That was so rare in the 1980’s/90’s. As someone who has had a lifelong struggle with weight, I have such great admiration for him. I actually got to meet him at an event once in 1999. He spoke with & hugged everyone in the room. He is just such a kind soul. I just hope he is healthy & happy now. Scott, I appreciate you showing his house & glad to hear you get a peaceful feeling when there. Richard definitely deserves that.

[lisablake]

As a 74 year old man I could guess he slowed down as we all do at his age, I just hope he is well and just taking it easy in his golden years. Take care Scott

[reedberry]

Based on my personal experience, Richard seems like a very nice person. I saw him at an event nine or ten years ago and, when I tried to snap a picture of him, one of his "people" shouted, "no pictures." Richard then shouted to them, "It's ok, let him take a picture." I would hate to think, as some people speculate, that he is under the control of others. I prefer to think that he is now living life on his own terms, out of the public eye and taking life a bit easier. Hey, he gave enough of himself over the last four or so decades. It may be time for him to wind down a bit.

[Bkaas]

He's old. People need to realize the guy is probably just living his life.

[sylviajoe]

Thanks for doing this video, Scott! Richard Simmons is a national treasure! ❤️

[boogiedaddy]

What a legend. I hope he's ok. I fear for the guy because for such an extroverted person to completely cut everyone out is scary and worries me that his mental health may not be the best. I truly hope I'm wrong and he just decided he had enough of the public. I just wish he'd give us a sign. Thanks for sharing with us Scott.

[ASMRcalmmoods]

He will be missed. He was such a positive, inspirational person! May he rest peacefully. ❤

[janadeubner]

I loved Richard Simmons; he made America have fun exercising in the 80's & 90's. He showed us the fun way to lose weight. It made me sad the last time that David Letterman made fun of him, he looked so hurt. Granted we are all older now but like you I wish Richard would come out to see us once in a while to show us that still love him that he is ok. Love to you Richard. Thank you for this one Scotty.

[Shelly-in-Tampa]

Revisited this video. RIP Richard. What a fun guy and so genuine. He helped people.

[kandycebeeks]

Back in the 80’s my Mom and I were out shopping and a limo pulled up next to us at the light. The window rolled down and we saw a hand waving and then the hair…here it was Richard Simmons! We rolled our window down and yelled out Hellooo!
Closest we ever got to a celebrity and thought it was pretty cool.
I hope he’s doing well!

[jerseygirlinvermont]

A great walk down memory lane. Richard Simmons was such an inspiring, happy personality in the 80s and 90s. I had wondered what happened to him.

I thought he had just retired from his professional life. I hope that he’s happily living the life he wishes to.

[WOODBINEMAN]

RIP Richard-you were a troubled soul but loved by millions

[Stewieboy]

There’s a video where there are people doing a Hollywood homes tour and the bus stops in front of Richards house. Richard comes out and is so humble and friendly he comes up to the van and meets the people. He’s such a nice man and no ego on him. Nice to see he took the time to meet the people. He was just so friendly to them, very nice to see

[michaellang]

I will say that you definitely have a bit of Richard's energy. I've always thought that since I started watching you. I love it and it's weirdly comforting. Plus you always give me a good laugh when I need one. Keep being Awesome!

[OnTheGoWithFlo-Kid]

That was great Scott! I sure miss him too. I still have a couple of his exercise record albums. He was so much fun. He was the kind of guy where no matter how busy I was if I heard his voice on TV I had to sit down and watch. I wish I knew what happened to make him disappear so quickly and without any explanation. What a happy day it would be if he ever decided to come back out into the public eye again.

[dianepancel-pierce]

Loved this vlog Scott! When I lived in LA in 2012, I popped by Richards Fitness studio in Beverly Hills to check it out but sadly he was not there. I hope that Richard is well and happy but I agree with you, we need him back now more than ever! 🤩

[charlinebeth]

Thank you Scott for doing this video I met him a long time ago at one of his exercise places here in Georgia. He was a very sweet man and very caring. He had brought me up on the small stand to work out with him.

[susan]

My good friend who passed in Febr. was good friends with Richard. She was in his weight loss videos and went on the cruises to lose weight and she was on QVC with him and Maury Povich, I think it was him. She said he was very nice and generous to his friends. After she stopped working with him they lost contact though. Hope Richard sees this! Richard, Kathy thought the world of you! ❤Thanks Scott! 💕

[Stevelives]

Reclusive old celebrities are fascinating, especially when they stay in their Hollywood mansions. You've got to wonder if they exist in their own little retro bubble. I bet the inside of the house would be a real eye opener.

[teesimone]

Imagine being Richard Simmons coming out of the house and hearing his own voice say “GARYYY!!” multiple times 😂