Richard Simmons.

Milton Teagle Simmons

Richard Simmons — Actor

Born 12 Jul 1948 New Orleans, United States

Died 13 Jul 2024 Los Angeles, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 78 yr If Living

15 min read

Reading time

2,991

Words

Aug 12, 2026

Published

44

Film credits

8

Books

TL;DR

Richard Simmons, born Milton Teagle Simmons, revolutionized home fitness with his workout videos and opened his studio Slimmons in 1974 in Beverly Hills, creating a welcoming space for overweight individuals. He also acted, appearing on General Hospital and in films including What Women Want. He died on July 13, 2024 in Los Angeles from complications from a fall.

Identity & family.

IDENTITY

Names, aliases, and relatives of Richard Simmons — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Milton Teagle Simmons

Nicknames Dicky

At a glance.

STATS

Richard Simmons by the numbers — life, work, and family.

76 Years lived

44 Film credits

8 Books

Who was Richard Simmons?

BIOGRAPHY

Richard Simmons — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Born Milton Teagle Simmons on July 12, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Richard Simmons was the son of Shirley Satin Simmons. He attended Brother Martin High School before studying at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Florida State University, where he was an art major. A brief period of study for the priesthood preceded his weight loss journey; an anonymous note reading Fat people die young. Please don’t die left on his car motivated him to lose weight. He later adopted the name Richard after an uncle who paid for his college tuition.

Career

In 1974, Simmons opened his own studio Slimmons in Beverly Hills, California, after finding that established gyms discouraged overweight and beginner clients. He created an encouraging environment for that neglected clientele and wore signature candy-striped Dolfin shorts and tank tops decorated with Swarovski crystals. During a four-year stint on General Hospital starting in 1963, he personally answered fan mail, a practice he continued for decades. He guest starred on Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 2003 in an episode that made the regulars struggle to keep straight faces, and appeared on shows including Late Show with David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He also served as a spokesperson for Vitamix in the 1980s.

Personal life

Simmons never married and had no children. His mother Shirley passed away on February 28, 1999, at age 87. He maintained decades-long friendships with Howard Stern and David Letterman, making multiple appearances on their shows. He steadfastly declined to publicly discuss his sexual orientation, only acknowledging speculation once on Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 2003. Much of his hair fell out due to unhealthy weight loss, leading him to undergo hair transplants. He owned a vast collection of art dolls and art glass, much of which was destroyed in the Northridge earthquake. He was buried at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary.

Legacy

Simmons was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame in 2006 for his fitness dedication. His studio Slimmons, operating from 1974 to October 2016, inspired many overweight individuals to pursue fitness in a non-judgmental environment. Even after retiring from public life in 2014, he continued to personally answer emails, letters, and make hundreds of motivational phone calls per week. His top weight of 268 pounds before learning to control it made him relatable. He is most remembered for revolutionizing the fitness industry by making exercise accessible to everyone.

Filmography.

FILMS · 44

The complete filmography of Richard Simmons — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Saturday Night Live

1975
TV

Late Show with David Letterman

1993
TV

Arrested Development

2003
TV

Hollywood Squares

1998
TV

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003
TV

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

2003
TV

Dinosaurs

1991
TV

Johnny Bravo

1997
TV

LIVE with Kelly and Mark

1988
TV

Fame

1982
TV

Hercules

1998
TV

Fish Hooks

2010
TV

Amazing Stories

1985
TV

Whose Line Is It Anyway?

1998

Showing 14 of 44 View all 44 films

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 8

Richard Simmons's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Richard Simmons' Never-say-diet Book

by Richard Simmons
Amazon

Richard Simmons' Never Give Up

by Richard Simmons
Amazon

Richard Simmons' Better Body Book

by Richard Simmons
Amazon

Farewell to Fat Cookbook

by Richard Simmons
Amazon

Richard Simmons Food Mover Cookbook

by Richard Simmons
Amazon

Still Hungry – After All These Years

by Richard Simmons
Amazon

Sweetie Pie

by Richard Simmons
Amazon

Reach for Fitness

by Richard Simmons

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 29

A wall of memorable lines from Richard Simmons — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Everyone Has a Story That Makes Me Stronger. I Know That the Work I Do Is Important and I Enjoy It, but It Is Nice to Hear the Feedback of What We Do to Inspire Others.
My Parents Always Told Me to Be Myself. I Was Always Funny and Silly as a Kid. and I Would Always Make Them Laugh. and They Always Told Me to Dream Big and Follow Those Dreams.
I Don’t Talk About My Personal Life, and I Don’t Talk About Death.
I Get Tired of Negativity in Our Country. I Get Tired of People Who Only Want to Know Dirt. I Get Tired of People Who Don’t Believe in Themselves.
No One Is Perfect… Absolutely No One. Like Precious Stones, We Have a Few Flaws, but Why Focus on That? Focus on What You Like About Yourself, and That Will Bring You Happiness and Peace.
Count Your Blessings. You Are One of a Kind. There’s No One in the World Like You. You Are Amazing.
For My Workout, I’m up at 4 A.M. I Say My Prayers, Count My Blessings, and I Work Out Right Away. I Just Get It Done.
One Day I May Be Meeting You and Hearing How You’ve Changed Your Life by Saying, ‘Farewell to Fat’.
Everyone in This World Is Somehow Connected. so Why Not Just Be Nice to Everybody.
Our Children Are Obese, Either Have or Being Threatened by Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, and Not Socially Adjusting Properly to Others Because of a Lack of Fitness.
I’m Not into Any Show That Makes People Compete When They Lose Weight.
If Your Oxygen Mask Drops Down, It’s Time to Take a Breather!
When I Go to Bed at Night, I Ask God to Give Me Another Day; I Ask Him to Keep Me Strong and Make Me a Good Teacher and to Keep Spreading This Right Word.
Number One, Like Yourself. Number Two, You Have to Eat Healthy. and Number Three, You’ve Got to Squeeze Your Buns. That’s My Formula.
People Have Been Frying Foods Since Jesus Was on This Planet, and There Is Always Going to Be Greasy, Fried, Salty, Sugary Food. It Is up to the Individual to Walk in and Say, ‘I Don’t Want Those Fries Today.’
Miley Cyrus, Like All of Us, Needs to Be Loved. We All Come from Complicated Parents… I Understand Her, and I Love Her, and I Think Things Will Be Different with Her. but You Know, in the Music Business, Sometimes You Have to Shock a Little.
How Do You Get Motivated? by Knowing Your Worth. Americans Do Not Know How Worthy They Are. You Deserve to Be Healthy, but a Lot of Times, People Have, as a Child’s Been Told – as a Children Been Told That They’re No Good, That They’re Never Going to Be Anything Else.
People Are Still Grasping for the Miracle, and Unfortunately, There Are No Miracles, If You Do Not Exercise for a Year, and Let Your Body Remain Dormant, Then You Will Gain Weight.
I’m Such a Huge Fan, and I’ve Done Classes of All Lady Gaga Music. and She’s Just Someone Who Evokes Freedom and Love for Her Fans and Passion in What She Does. Lady Gaga, I’ll Take You Out for a Salad Anytime.
My Way Is the Sensitive, Emotional Way, Because That’s Who I Am. I Try to Be the Clown and Court Jester and Make People Laugh. at the Same Time, You Have People in the Hospital Who Have Had Gastric Bypass or Lap-band Surgery, and They Still Have to Work Out. If You Don’t Work Out and Eat Healthy, You’ll Look Like a Melted Candle.
I Have Rules About Eating, Exercising and Rules About Staying Positive. and These Rules Are Sacred to Me.
I Don’t Know About You, but Every Time Some Joker Points Me Out as I Walk Through an Airport Wearing Extra-small Dolfin Shorts, a Tank Top and Leg Warmers, I Get a Little Upset.
Puberty for Me Was Graduating from Thousand Island Salad Dressing to Caesar Salads. It Was Like Going from Hot Dogs and Hamburgers to Beef Stroganoff, or from Ice Cream in a Cone to Creme Brulee.
When I Lost My Weight, I Went and Bought About 15 Different Types of Underwear to See What Would Look Good on My New Body. It’s Exciting!
Take a Moment Every Day to Find Peace. Pull Over to the Side of the Road, Turn off the Radio, and Find Peace.
Every Child Can Dance, I’ve Seen It, I Travel 200 Days a Year, and I See What Happens When the Music Goes On, Their Music, Not Mine, When the Music Goes On, They Feel so Good About Themselves, They Go Back in That School Room and They Learn. I Do Not Want Any Child in America to Have My Childhood, Because It Was Taken Away from Me, Because I Just Wasn’t Good Enough. Well I’m Good Enough Now, I’m 60 Years Old Now, and I’ve Devoted My Life to This, and I Will Devote My Life to This Till the Day I Die. and I Hope That One Day, Every Kid Gets to Feel the Self Esteem and Self Respect That I Have.
People Go Through Weight Gain at Different Cycles: You Have the Child Who Comes from Overweight Family or the Child Who’s an Underdog and He Gains Weight, You Have the Teenager Who Gets Raped, Who Tries to Commit Suicide, Who Has Peer Pressure, She Gains Weight, You Have the Woman Who Has Children One Child After Another, She Gains Weight, You Have the Man or Woman Who Loses Their Spouse, They Get Depressed, She Gains Weight, There Are 50 Million Reasons and 50 Million Stages of Life Where People Gain Weight.
Sports in School Is Sports, It’s Not Exercise, If You Don’t Get Picked for the Basketball Team or the Football Team or the Baseball Team, You Just Sit There. the Classroom Is Fine to Educate Children, but the School System Must Have a Mandatory Exercise Program: Stretching, Cardiovascular, Aerobic, Toning, Gymnastic, Not Just Playing a Sport. a Sport Is a Sport, If You’re an Underdog, If You’re Short, You’re Fat, You’re Too Tall, Whatever It Be, and You Don’t Want to Play Sports, Your Left Out, and That’s Wrong.
I Had a Brother Who Was Perfect, Who Did Everything Right, and I Found That Food Was My Friend. When I Brought Home a D in Chemistry, My Mother and Father Screamed and Yelled, the Cookies Remained Calm. If You Feel Alone, If the Kids Don’t Want to Play with You, If People Make Fun of You, and There You Are with Cookies, You Take Those Cookies and You Eat Them and They’re Inside, and You’re Not Alone Anymore, There’s Something There.

Did you know?

FACTS · 22

Little-known facts about Richard Simmons — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Lost much of his hair from unhealthy weight loss and had hair transplants moving hair from back to front; he urged healthy weight loss to avoid similar problems.
Ran his own workout studio Slimmons, opened in 1974 in Beverly Hills after finding established gyms discouraged overweight and beginner clients; he created an encouraging environment for overweight beginners. Slimmons closed in October 2016.
Guest starred on the improv show Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 2003, an episode that made the regulars struggle to keep composure.
Always appeared in public in candy-striped Dolfin shorts and tank tops hand-decorated with Swarovski crystals.
His top weight was 268 pounds before he learned to control it.
During his four-year stint on General Hospital, he began personally answering fan mail and continued to answer emails and letters and make hundreds of motivational phone calls per week.
Initially motivated to lose weight by an anonymous note on his car that read: Fat people die young. Please don’t die.
Honored for fitness dedication with induction into the National Fitness Hall of Fame in 2006.
Briefly studied for the priesthood.
Sold his own line of dolls on the Home Shopping Network.
Retired in 2014 and closed his fitness studio in 2016; made no public appearances since 2014.
On The Howard Stern Show in 1990, Stern taunted his weight-loss clients by waving food with a fishing pole and lowering a roasted chicken from the ceiling. One client later ballooned to over 1,000 pounds.
Loved Barbra Streisand, Broadway musicals, one-of-a-kind art dolls, and art glass; owned a vast art doll collection and much art glass was destroyed by the Northridge earthquake.
Mother Shirley Satin Simmons passed away on February 28, 1999 at age 87.
Declined to publicly discuss his sexual orientation, acknowledging speculation only once on Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 2003.
Launched a new website, filmed four new videos by end of year, and worked with Sirius radio on a weekly show starting October 2005.
Spokesperson for Vitamix in the 1980s.
Adopted the name Richard after an uncle who paid for his college tuition, as explained in an interview with the Tampa Bay Times.
Never married and had no children.
Enjoyed decades-long friendships with Howard Stern and David Letterman, appearing on their shows several times.
Buried at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Filmed an unnamed project in March 2001 at CBS Television City in Hollywood.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 41

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Richard Simmons.

When was Richard Simmons born?

Richard Simmons was born on July 12, 1948. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Where was Richard Simmons born?

He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. His birth name was Milton Teagle Simmons.
When did Richard Simmons die?

He died on July 13, 2024. He passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA.
How old was Richard Simmons when he died?

He was 76 years old at the time of his death. He died one day after his birthday.
Where did Richard Simmons die?

He died in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was buried at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary.
How did Richard Simmons die?

He died from complications from a fall. The fall occurred in Los Angeles, California.
What was Richard Simmons's real name?

His real name was Milton Teagle Simmons. He adopted the name Richard after an uncle who paid for his college tuition.
What did Richard Simmons do for a living?

He was an actor and producer. He is known as a fitness personality and motivational speaker.
What nationality was Richard Simmons?

He was an American. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.
What language did Richard Simmons speak?

He spoke English. He was a native English speaker.
Where did Richard Simmons go to school?

He attended Brother Martin High School, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Florida State University. He studied art in college.
What is Richard Simmons best known for?

He is known for his fitness studio Slimmons, his workout videos, and his appearances on General Hospital, Late Show with David Letterman, and Whose Line Is It Anyway?
What was Richard Simmons's Instagram handle?

His Instagram handle was TheWeightSaint. He also used the same handle on Twitter and Facebook.
How tall was Richard Simmons?

He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, or 1.69 meters. His height was often noted in his media appearances.
Why was Richard Simmons called Dicky?

He was nicknamed Dicky. He later preferred the name Richard, which he adopted after an uncle who supported his education.
What was Richard Simmons's top weight?

His top weight was 268 pounds before he learned to control it through healthy methods. He lost weight and became a fitness icon.
Did Richard Simmons have hair transplants?

Yes, he lost much of his hair from unhealthy weight loss and had hair transplants moving hair from the back to the front. He urged others to lose weight healthily.
When did Richard Simmons open his studio Slimmons?

He opened Slimmons in 1974 in Beverly Hills, California. It operated until October 2016.
Did Richard Simmons ever appear on Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Yes, he guest starred in 2003. The episode is noted for making the regulars struggle to keep composure.
Was Richard Simmons in the National Fitness Hall of Fame?

Yes, he was inducted in 2006 for his dedication to health and fitness. The honor recognized his impact on the fitness industry.
Did Richard Simmons have children?

No, he never married and had no children. He focused on his career and helping others.
What was the Howard Stern incident with Richard Simmons?

In 1990 on The Howard Stern Show, Stern taunted Simmons’s weight-loss clients by waving food with a fishing pole and lowering a roasted chicken. One client later ballooned to over 1,000 pounds.
When did Richard Simmons retire?

He retired from public life in 2014 and closed his fitness studio in 2016. He made no public appearances after 2014.
What did Richard Simmons collect?

He collected art dolls and art glass. Much of his art glass was destroyed in the Northridge earthquake.
Was Richard Simmons friends with David Letterman?

Yes, he enjoyed a decades-long friendship with David Letterman and appeared on Late Night With David Letterman multiple times.
What was Richard Simmons's mother's name?

His mother was Shirley Satin Simmons. She passed away on February 28, 1999, at age 87.
Did Richard Simmons study for the priesthood?

Yes, he briefly studied for the priesthood before pursuing his fitness career. He also studied art in college.
What products did Richard Simmons sell on Home Shopping Network?

He sold his own line of dolls on the Home Shopping Network. He also sold fitness products.
What was Richard Simmons's role in General Hospital?

He appeared on General Hospital as himself, playing a fitness instructor. He began personally answering fan mail during his four-year stint.
Where is Richard Simmons buried?

He is buried at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles, California.
Did Richard Simmons ever talk about his sexual orientation?

He steadfastly declined to discuss it publicly. He acknowledged speculation only once on Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 2003.
What motivated Richard Simmons to lose weight?

He received an anonymous note on his car that read: Fat people die young. Please don’t die. That motivated him to change his lifestyle.
What was Richard Simmons's workout attire?

He famously wore candy-striped Dolfin shorts and tank tops hand-decorated with Swarovski crystals. This became his signature look.
Did Richard Simmons personally answer fan mail?

Yes, even after his General Hospital stint, he continued to personally answer emails and letters and made hundreds of motivational phone calls per week.
What happened to one of Richard Simmons's clients on Howard Stern?

One client, Michael Hebranko, later ballooned to over 1,000 pounds and had to be rescued by paramedics. He regained weight multiple times.
What was Richard Simmons's college major?

He was an art major. He loved Barbra Streisand, Broadway musicals, and collecting art dolls.
Did Richard Simmons appear in any movies?

Yes, he appeared in What Women Want 2000 and had cameos in TV shows including Arrested Development and Dinosaurs.
What was the name of Richard Simmons's fitness studio?

It was called Slimmons. He opened it in 1974 in Beverly Hills, California, and closed it in October 2016.
Was Richard Simmons on CHiPs?

Yes, he appeared on the show CHiPs 1977 as himself. He also guest-starred on many other TV series.
What did Richard Simmons do after retirement?

He stopped making public appearances after 2014. He later launched a new website and filmed new videos, but remained largely out of the spotlight.
How did Richard Simmons lose his hair?

He lost much of his hair due to unhealthy weight loss methods. He then had hair transplants to restore it.

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Audited & updated by

Michael is the last person to read a profile before it goes live, which makes him the one who catches what everyone else missed. 5 years as a copy editor has given him a sharp sense for what's off. A wrong year, a vague credit, a sentence that almost makes sense but doesn't quite. He's especially thorough with filmographies. He'll tell you that's where most of the errors hide. He's right.

Published on August 12, 2026

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