Richard Simmons, who shot to fame from his appearances on General Hospital by playing himself, has died. The fitness guru was 76.
Remembering Richard
TMZ reported the news of Simmons’s passing. He died today, Saturday, July 13, one day after his birthday. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ that no foul play is suspected at this time. A cause of death has not been announced.
Simmons debuted on GH in 1979, playing a version of himself. Before Port Charles society would dance the night away at the Campus Disco, Richard taught classes there to the women of Port Charles. His exercise students included Laura (Genie Francis), Bobbie (the late Jacklyn Zeman), Lesley (Denise Alexander), and Laura’s pal Beverly (Louise Hoven). Richard provided a supportive shoulder to Beverly, who wanted to be thinner.
Simmons took to social media yesterday to thank fans for remembering his birthday. “Thank you…I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday. Love, Richard.”
Born Milton Teagle Simmons on July 12, 1948, the fitness guru attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and also Florida State University. His last post was from earlier today, which read, “Hello gorgeous! Please don’t rain on my parade.”
On the celebrity’s website, he wrote about how, after an appearance on a Los Angeles talk show hosted by Regis Philbin, he was invited to join the cast of GH. First, he met with then-producer Gloria Monty and the show’s head writer, Pat Falken Smith.
“These ladies were very smart,” Simmon said. “They told me their idea. I would teach exercise classes in a disco for all the ladies on the show. I thought to myself, ‘This will be a breeze.’
“A week before taping the show the studio asked me if I could drive over and do some promotional photos,” Simmons continued. Due to a misidentification, he was pulled over by the police and brought in for questioning. Once authorities realized they had the wrong man, Simmons was released and returned to the studio.”
Following his appearances on GH, Simmons’s fitness business grew. He produced a series of workout videos titled Sweatin’ to the Oldies. In 1995, he appeared as himself on All My Children. Simmons’s last soap opera appearance was back on GH in 2013. Acting erratic, Richard clashed with Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring) at the ball and was carried away by Milo and members of Milo’s Magic Wands.
Recently, Simmons made headlines after he came out against a biopic being made of him by Pauly Shore. “I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist,” Simmons said at the time as he requested privacy. “I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support.”
Soap Hub sends sincere condolences to Simmons’ family and friends at this difficult time.
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