New photos show the body of fitness guru Richard Simmons, who died on Saturday at the age of 76, being carried out from his West Hollywood home.
Police were seen arriving at the scene after receiving a call from Simmons’ housekeeper earlier in the day, the Los Angeles County coroner said.
ABC News reported that Simmons, who revealed in March that she had been diagnosed with skin cancer, died of natural causes and no foul play is suspected.
Photos showed the coroner carrying Simmons’ body on a stretcher from the home, as well as several police vehicles parked in the driveway.
Simmons passed away the day after he turned 76. He posted a birthday message to his fans on Facebook.
Photos show Richard Simmons’ body being removed from his West Hollywood home. The Los Angeles County coroner was seen arriving at the home where Simmons died on Saturday. Photos show the coroner removing Simmons’ body on a stretcher from the home. Several police vehicles were parked in the driveway of the home following the fitness guru’s death.
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His message read: “Thank you… I’ve never received so many birthday messages in my life! I’m sitting here writing this email. Wishing you the best rest of your Friday ever. Love, Richard.”
On Friday, in a rare interview, Simmons also revealed his fun plans to celebrate his birthday, telling People magazine, “But the candles are going to be on zucchinis. You know, I’m a vegetarian.”
Reflecting on turning 76, he added: “I feel great! I’m grateful to be here and to be alive another day. I’m going to spend my birthday helping people, as I do every day.”
Simmons, who grew up in the French Quarter of New Orleans before moving to California, graduated from high school weighing 268 pounds, his website says.
His own story of struggling to lose weight – trying everything from fad diets to laxatives, before finally settling on exercise and better lifestyle choices – has inspired millions to do the same.
Simmons posted a message on Facebook on Friday in celebration of his birthday.
Simmons has become a prolific media guru, including as host of the Emmy Award-winning daytime show “The Richard Simmons Show” and as the author of a best-selling book and diet plan, “Deal a Meal,” in which he shares his hard-won weight-loss secrets.
He also opened an exercise studio and starred in exercise videos, including the smash hit “Sweatin’ to the Oldies,” which became a cultural phenomenon.
Simmons’ daytime show aired on 200 stations across the United States, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan and South America. His first book, Never Say Diet, was a huge bestseller.
He was known for counseling severely obese patients, including Rosalie Bradford, who held the record as the world’s heaviest woman, and Michael Hebranko, who credits Simmons with helping him lose 700 pounds.
After winning over a legion of fans with his infectious enthusiasm and positive attitude, Simmons stepped back from the spotlight in 2014.
Ms Simmons revealed she had been diagnosed with skin cancer in March in an emotional Facebook post after discovering a “strange swelling” under her right eye.
Simmons rose to fame in the 1970s and ’80s with her gym and fitness videos, winning over legions of fans with her infectious enthusiasm and positivity.
The skin cancer announcement comes just days after the Lonely Planet star made some disturbing posts on social media, sparking fears he may be near death.
He posted on Facebook with X: “I have something to say to all of you: Don’t be sad. I am going to die soon. The truth is, we are all dying. Every day we live we come closer to death.”
“Why am I telling you this? It’s because I want you to live life to the fullest, every day. Wake up in the morning and look up at the sky… Count your blessings and enjoy them.”
In a follow-up post, Simmons apologized, saying he was “sorry for any confusion caused.”
“I’m sorry that so many of you were upset by my message today. I’ve been contacted by media outlets,” the fitness celebrity wrote in response to X’s post. “I’m not dying.”
The media figure, once known for his gregarious personality, suddenly disappeared from public view in 2014, leading many fans to voice concern about his health in the years that followed.
However, Simmons’ publicist, Tom Esty, released a statement to the New York Post in 2022 saying that Simmons is “happy, healthy and living the life he chooses.”