Richard Simmons -- the legendary fitness guru -- has died at 76 ... TMZ has learned.
  • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
    592·
    4 months ago

    A little story about why Richard Simmons became a fitness and diet guru. He was in the Frederico Fellini film Satyricon and he was fat. A fan wrote to him and said, “fat people die young, Richard. Please don’t die.” He took it to heart and his relentless positivity became an inspiration to so many people.

    Here he was in Satyricon.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
        6·
        4 months ago

        Yep. I remember him talking about it in an interview on some talk show decades ago. Might have even been Donahue.

    • brbposting@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      42·
      4 months ago

      That’s wild, would estimate that kind of messaging has a low success rate based on the “fat people KNOW THEY’RE FAT!!” exasperation I see.

      How wonderful someone said the thing that worked for him. Gotta watch that classic Who’s Line? clip someone linked if you haven’t seen it.

      • PunnyName@lemmy.world
        9·
        4 months ago

        Probably helps that it was a pretty wholesome message. Like, “I really like your work, and I hope to see it continue, so please don’t die.”

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
        7·
        4 months ago

        I think it probably does have a low success rate. Very few people can be shamed by strangers into making such a big change in their lives… But it probably has a higher success rate for someone who wants to be in movies and TV since body image is a big deal there as is looking healthy.

        Anyway, I am glad that, whatever the reason, he became the delightful person we will remember him as.

        And yes, the Who’s Line episode he was in was a real classic. I wasn’t a huge fan of the American version of the show, but that one is undeniably just hilariously funny.

  • androogee (they/she)@midwest.socialEnglish
    181·
    4 months ago

    Missing Richard Simmons is a fascinating podcast from… Jesus Christ, seven years ago 💀

    It covers the influence of Richard, and his sudden and complete withdrawal from public life in 2014.

    He seemed to give of himself almost compulsively for most of his life.

    I hope his final years were peaceful and joyous.

    • BonesOfTheMoon@lemmy.world
      2·
      4 months ago

      One theory about why he disappeared is because he had to have bilateral knee replacements and couldn’t exercise anymore. I thought that sounded pretty plausible.

  • jerkface@lemmy.caEnglish
    16·
    4 months ago

    Dealing meals in heaven. What an utter chad this man was. People have no idea how to even appreciate him and what he tried to do.

    • hushable@lemmy.world
      4·
      4 months ago

      My mon got into a health and fitness phase thanks to Simmons who probably added years if not decades to her healthspan. Thanks to him I got to share more moments with my mom, and I’m sure I’m it the only one who indirectly benefited from his work.

      Thanks Richard

  • RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world
    141·
    4 months ago

    That’s too bad. I never really got his shtick, but he seemed legit and any stories I ever heard of people interacting with him were always positive. His passing is definitely a loss.

  • pslightlypsycho47@lemmy.world
    11·
    4 months ago

    I’d recommend the Missing Richard Simmons podcast. It’s a miniseries that discusses his legacy and influence. It’s well worth the listen.