He just celebrated his birthday on Friday.
Eccentric fitness guru Richard Simmons, known for his never-ending health, has died, according to his agent.
Simmons just celebrated his 76th birthday on Friday.
The Los Angeles Police Department responded to his home after a 911 call from his housekeeper and found Simmons dead, according to police sources. He appears to have died of natural causes, and no foul play is suspected, sources said.
Simmons shocked fans three months ago when he posted that he was dying on Facebook, writing in March, “I have news to tell you. Please don’t I’m sorry. I see. We all die now.
He later clarified that he is not actually dying, but the message was meant to encourage everyone to “embrace each day that we have.”
Simmons hasn’t been in the public eye lately, though there were reports of a biopic about the fitness enthusiast earlier this year. Simmons slammed the reports, writing, “Don’t believe everything you read. I don’t have a manager anymore, and I don’t have a social worker anymore. I’m just trying to live life quiet and peaceful.”
Simmons posted a lot on social media, often several times a day. He posted about his birthday on Facebook the day before his death, writing, “Thank you… I’ve never received so many messages on my birthday in my life! I’m sitting here I’m writing emails. Have the best Friday ever.”
She told her fans in March that she had skin cancer removed from her face, but is now doing well.
He wrote: “I know some of you reading this have either been diagnosed with cancer or know someone in your life who has been diagnosed with cancer. “Promise me you will see your doctor and get a full checkup. .”
He was born Milton Teagle Simmons in New Orleans on July 12, 1948, but adopted the name Richard as he grew up.
Simmons has often talked about how she was overweight as a child, which led to her weight loss journey and pursuit of a fitness career beginning in the 1970s and the 80s. The first opportunity to lose weight came with the opening of his gym, Slimmons, in Beverly Hills, California.
He released his first book, “Never Say Diet,” in 1980. This book was the first of 12 he would release in his career.
His fitness videos exploded in popularity in the 1980s, along with a nationwide fitness craze that included the growing popularity of aerobics and Jazzercise. His videos, including the “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” series, became some of the most popular videos of the era.
Simmons also made regular television appearances, including regular talk shows from the “Late Show with David Letterman” to the “Rosie O’Donnell Show.” He also had a recurring role on the soap opera “General Hospital” and made guest appearances as himself on shows like “Arrested Development” and “The Larry Sanders Show.”
He also hosted his own talk and fitness show, “The Richard Simmons Show,” from 1980 to 1984. The show won four Daytime Emmy Awards.
ABC News’ Bonnie McLean contributed to this report.
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