TMZ Investigates- What Really Happened To Richard Simmons?

his knees gave out. he got depressed, as an any oral bottom worth their knee pads would.

Someone I know said he wanted to be remembered for what he was so he went into hiding. He has a lot of health issues supposedly and doesn’t want the way he is now to be what people remember him for.

He just ran out of steam

He got old.

He vants to be alone

I fear he’s hiding in one of my 25 closets of retired gowns, sweating in those oldies.

Morbidly obese and no more fucks to give.

his mother died and the housekeeper took over his life

@r6, Don't you remember, Babs, he works as a shop-bottom in your basement mall?

before he went into seculsion....

he did this...

and then quickly retreated into the background.

the housekeeper, allegedly, was quite ashamed of him. . . what would g-d think?

He bought a place next to Bobbie Gentry and they dish about old times.

I'd not be shocked if he transitioned and named himself after his favorite Streisand movie character.

For whatever reason TMZ gets scoops and the scoops are usually accurate. I'm interested and I will tune in.

He had all the makings to be the next Rochelle Hudson...

He made tons of millions off those tapes. He’s fine.

He pulled a Crawford. He saw a bad photo and became secluded.

The weird thing is that his choosing to withdraw from public is exactly what fuels all the public interest in him.

If he was showing up to the opening of an envelope like Brenda Dickson no one would be interested.

Health issues probably combined with someone taking advantage of him. Someone who probably enabled and ultimately fostered his seclusion.

I think in this day and age people are shocked that someone famous would voluntarily take themselves out of the spotlight. I think he’s fine, heworked with Funko on licensing his image and the various tchotchkes of him (figurines, pins pillows) have been pretty successful.

-He pulled a Crawford. He saw a bad photo and became secluded.

R16 when did he ever have good photos?

"Daddy's girl has been a bad girl" -- Howard Stern fan will understand this

I always got a good vibe from Richard . He was a positive and humorous light to the world

he really loved to fart in my face as we sweated to the oldies

He's vain and looks like shit, so he's hiding away. Simple really.

[quote] I think in this day and age people are shocked that someone famous would voluntarily take themselves out of the spotlight.

Especially after releasing the video at R10! Lordy! I’ve never thought RS would do anything like that. He was always a nice, genuine, slightly awkward and too-earnest homo on Letterman.

I’m still trying to unclench my pearls and wash those “Hairdo” images from my brain. Mary!

If he wants privacy, the media should honor his wishes and leave him alone. Maybe he was paid by TMZ for this exclusive story. As always, I wish him well.

Sometimes people unexplainably disappear.

R8: Gay elder abuse sounds plausible.

Amateur at R27!

I was sort of glad he stopped making appearances, to be honest. He aged terribly but still insisted on wearing the same old uniform, showing off his shriveled body in those spangly athletic shirts and short shorts. He was horrifying to look at.

How old is he?

They did a documentary and it will air on FOX? Did Simmons ask for this?

TMZ is truly awful 😞 they are really the lowest human scums.

[quote]How old is he?

He's 74.

I don't think it's as simple as wanting to be remembered by the public as he once was. He apparently also abruptly cut off contact with people who'd been friends for years. He didn't just withdraw from fame; he seems to have withdrawn from life. And it was all very sudden, like flipping a switch.

He saw this terrible photo of himself and said, "If that's the way I look now, then I'm no longer going to appear in public."

If he truly wishes to be left alone I wish tmz would refrain from airing this. Richard has always had a very positive energy.

All of the above plus bi-polar. R34, I'm sure that most of those "friends" were not. TMZ is evil.

2017

Too many links. I'm dizzy. Can someone tell me what happened to him? Please?

Unless they suspect he's being abused/taken advantage of they should leave him alone.

The media really should leave the man alone. It's no one's business where he is or why he is wherever he is.

Thank you R42!

MARY! me, but I wish he had chosen someone to take over Sweatin' to the Oldies, they could have revamped it and made a lot of $$$. Richard was ahead of his time, he was about inclusivity way before that was even a thing. He had people of all shapes, sizes and ethnicities in his videos.

If he wants to disappear, everyone should just let him.

He's fine! He sends his love!

Retire, yes. Disappear, no.

He always seemed like such a sweetheart. I hope he isn't being abused but if not we need to leave the poor guy alone. He deserves his retirement. He helped a lot of people and was always so compassionate.

I think he took to the DataLounge to shame Colin Farrell and others for getting old publicly.

Richard Simmons the celebrity retired his act. I'm sure he was tired of it. Imagine trying to be your celebrity persona all of the time? You know Marilyn and Paris Hilton are nothing like their personas in real life, and I'm sure Miss Simmons was different too. She ain't hurting anyone being alone, enjoying her millions.

r50 But they likely didn't put their homes in their housekeeper's names, nor several of their cars, nor serve and clean up after them.

I'm guessing all the "Leave Richard alone" are the same ones that screamed "Free Brtiney"

how he disappeared from public life clearly raised many red flags... it's strange how many people try to make excuses for it.

But it wasn't only his public life he retreated from, he cut off many of his private connections.,.. everyone had to go through either his housekeeper - which to this day, no one knows if it's truly his wishes not to see anyone or it's hers. .. or his agent, who has become rather an asshole.

The "leave richard alone" camp demonize his coworkers, colleagues, longterm friends....

and yes, they were signs of deterioration before, frankly, they were the ones to raise the alarm on that too... which briefly got him checked into a mental health facility. One might assume that could be the reason he cut so many of them out. .. fearing they might do it again. But that in itself could be a mental health flag.

There's been rare sightings and him allegedly working with others from behind the scenes... but that just pushes more intrigue.

I believe he is currently living as a woman.

Suzanne Somers will be on the show.

Richard, if she can show her wrinkled puss in public, so can you.

Wow Suzanne Somers is gonna take over the show and make it all about her

I did his Deal-A-Meal cards and then I did her Somersize diet.

r56 So you could fit into your three-way poncho?

I used to love it when he was a guest on Letterman.

You want to fit 3 cocks in my poon?

He’s fine. He sends his love.

Richard always seemed like such a gentle, kind, genuine soul. The world needs more people like him.

Richard Simmons did a lot of people a lot of good.

The elder abuse rumors seemed strange as mid-60s seemed a little young for that to be happening. But people’s health can take a drastic turn around that time of life even if they take reasonably good care of themselves. Genetics and stress take their toll.

Anyone ever workout at Slimmons??

Unanswered clickbait

I'm pretty sure that Suzanne is wearing a black three-way poncho in the photo at R54, choosing the "off the shoulders" look.

Suzanne called Richard A freak.

So - who watched it? Where can we view?

Suzanne Somers will do anything to get her face on the TV again. It's not like she even really knew Richard Simmons in the first place.

guess no one watched it on Fox, not a bad thing though

Exactly R27

Suzanne Somers THIS IS MY BAD SIDE!!

I worked out once at Slimmons. He wasn’t there . Vigorous workout . The next day I could barely move.

Where can I see this doc?

What next - "Joyce DeWitt, In Search of Liza" - only on HBO.

It will stream on tubi next week. Was hoping to hear highlights sooner.

Those Letterman appearances made me so uncomfortable! It was so hard to tell how much of it was shtick.

Suzanne looks like she has makeup tattoos upon which she piles more makeup.

I pvr'd it so I can't tell you botches about it until tomorrow.

Richard Simmons is a gay national treasure. Suzanne Somers is seriously deranged. Trump Cult = DERANGED

did someone stake out his place? do they see delivery people going in for food etc? packages?

Does he leave the house? any visitors?

From Twitter,

1 it's a waste of time watching it

2. Tons of pointless fillers in the hour long feature

3. He had some knee problem/might even cripple him

4. Didn't really offer an explanation

5. That's it, nothing else was revealed

Really r81? I watched the first 5 mins of TMZ tonight and Harvey said Richard had been out of his house since this seclusion, implying that he either transitioned or wears a disguise. Did they reveal how he avoids attention when he goes out?

[quote] he either transitioned or wears a disguise

No, it didn't imply any of those, "he is a cripple now" could be the real reason for his withdrawal

I'm up to my neck in paperwork, so I'm going to take a break and watch part of it.

It starts off with a bunch of old clips—screaming, tearless crying, and disclosing that he went to his first Halloween party dressed as a couch.

Harvey Levin says they know where he is and why he disappeared.

Fabian Garcia, a TMZ editor, claims his disappearance is related to a birth defect. Richard was born "without a full set of bones" in one of his feet. A quick search shows that RS has mentioned having a "crippled leg" for which he's worn corrective shoes since the age of three.

(It sounds to me like he has mild fibular hemimelia, but I won't bore you with the details unless you want me to. Just know that carrying excess weight is terrible for it.)

Cut to Richard getting all hot and bothered about food in an interview from 2008.

He was 268 lbs. in high school. Claims kids squirted a trail of lighter fluid under the restroom stall door and lit a match to burn his legs. Claims he would stop at all five stores between school and his house and buy food at each one, then hide the wrappers in "the Kotex boxes." What Kotex boxes? He doesn't explain.

Claims he only ate lettuce and drank water for two months, and lost 137 lbs.

I'm only ten minutes in and I'm exhausted.

BTW, just a handful tweets online, it's not "trending", I guess not many people watched or were interested, not a bad thing though, that's what Simmons wanted too.

Slimmons was Infectious! Electric! Costumes! Attitude! Exciiiiiiiitement! Oozing with joy! Alas, some days it would end in tears: "He'd be crying. He'd be sobbing. There would be snot coming down his nose sometimes. It was beautiful in a way."

Harvey again: Richard became a fitness guru to millions of people and armchair psychologist to thousands of desperate people whose struggles mirrored his own. That's critical to understanding why he vanished.

General Hospital for two years; started feeling the pressure of so many people asking for his help; sold a shit-ton of cookbooks and a weight-loss system involving cards.

Sweatin' to the Oldies became the top-grossing workout video. Suzanne Somers, who's looking a lot like end-stage Ivana: "He was an authentic freak, and I mean that in the best possible way."

By now he was buried under tons of desperate people, and he believed he could help all of them. Talks about staying after events to hug and kiss 4k people, doing daily check-ins with some, etc. He would run out of his house when celebrity home tours drove by. Video of a car running over his foot when he was in the road talking to people on one.

[quote]sold a shit-ton of cookbooks and a weight-loss system involving cards.

Deal-A-Meal! Who could forget! I can't think of an informercial that was shown more.

He was scheduled to go on Larry King with Suzanne Somers but he backed out because he thought she would make fun of him. She has no idea why.

His costume designer said he had been talking about retirement for a few years before his disappearance.

January, 2014: A TMZ photographer talked to him while he was waiting for the valet in front of Mastro's. He was as subdued as one can be while wearing a bright yellow jacket. "Count your blessings and enjoy every day that you have." It would be his last public appearance.

February, 2014: Richard didn't show up for the class he taught at Slimmons. He hadn't missed a week since 1974. A sign posted on the door said he was undergoing PT for a knee problem and that he wouldn't be teaching for the remainder of March unless his condition improved.

Months passed with no word. When it came time to shut down the studio, Richard's manager arrived and read a letter from Richard. In part: "I'm making a new beginning for myself, quietly and in my very own special way."

Rumors started spreading about his housekeeper of thirty years and one of Richard's friends filed an elder abuse claim. LAPD went to his house and he was lucid and appeared fine but was limping. He had a beard. On his face. Richard called the Today Show to dispel the rumors.

The Enquirer said he was living as a women named Fiona. Richard sued and lost. Another theory was that it was the death of the last of his eight Dalmatians that sent him into a tailspin. His costume designer said he may have been broken up more by the first one to die, and that dogs had nothing to do with his retirement.

Suzanne Somers: "Maybe he just likes not being in the public eye. Maybe he likes not having to put baby oil all over his body every day. Maybe he likes not having to be this era's Jerry Lewis. It takes a lot of energy."

Harvey Levin: The truth is right under our nose and has to do with one of the oldest principles in show biz—always leave 'em laughing. He wanted to be remembered as a healthy, vibrant man; not an elderly man with medical problems. He wanted to retreat before he was recast as an old man. His knee problems were a huge factor in his decision. He had a right knee replacement a few years prior, and still needed the left one.

Costume designer: The knee thing played into him saying "enough's enough" because if he couldn't do his best, and he didn't want to get his other knee done, and he didn't feel like he could go full-tilt like he always did; I think it was just part of a few different things that made him realize it was time to retire.

Lots more talk about his knees. He was told that if he didn't get the left one done, he wouldn't be able to exercise. The idea of another surgery and becoming sedentary threw him into a deep depression.

Bruce Vilanch: To be seen in pain or discomfort, or in any type of diminished capacity, was a huge problem to him, because that was his brand. He didn't want a second surgery.

Katie Hayes, TMZ producer: He still hasn't had the surgery on his left knee. He walks with a cane, and that explains a lot. He's just not the same guy anymore.

Harvey Levin: There's one LAPD detective who has talked to Richard over the years—on the phone and in person. He doesn't want to be identified, but he said Richard told him that he just didn't want to be seen as a frail guy. He wants to be remembered as the guy who was loved by millions of people. That's why he disappeared.

But there's one final twist: Richard hasn't been seen in public for eight years, but not for lack of trying. He's given up public life, but he's figured out ways of living his life in plain sight. "I think even Sherlock Holmes would have a tough time cracking this caper, because Richard is a master of disguise."

Backgrid Photo Agency guy: "Maybe he's dressing up so extravagant[ly] that even the best eye can't spot him."

Harvey Levin: So Richard is gone; gone from public view, and maybe gone for good. It's sad for his followers, but if life is a prison sentence, Richard has done his time helping people. Now it's his time to do what he wants, although his life does seem pretty lonely.

The end. Back to work.

So, he really was like Joan Crawford after all. He wanted the public to remember him as he was before old age took its toll.

Simmons is one of the few public figures I find genuinely fascinating. His personality is so unusual.

He was always a very compassionate person. Loved it when he was on General Hospital when it was at the peak of its popularity.

So, he didn't transition after all?

r84, I'm pretty sure they must have meant he ate the food while in the store and then hid the wrappers in the store's Kotex boxes. Shoplifting to hide his shame of binging, basically.

[quote]I'm guessing all the "Leave Richard alone" are the same ones that screamed "Free Brtiney"

It's adorable that you think this.

He didn't need to transition. He was already there.

As a child and young teen recall watching Richard Simmons on television; he was the most flaming queen that ever flamed. This in a good way in that he was a huge bundle of energy; rather like a Jack Russell terrier, always upbeat and bouncing off the walls with energy.

Years went by and like everyone else Richard Simmons aged, which of course brings physical changes not just to appearance but body overall. At some point everyone sooner or later must acknowledge they aren't in their 20's or 30's any longer.

Richard Simmons is 74, and has had a very good life, great career, helped scores of people, and made fuck tons of money. He just doesn't want to be wept over and pitied for (likely) what he has become.

Public opinion can be brutal, especially for entertainers who aren't what they once were (Richard Dean Andersen is a good example). Rather then expose himself to that sort of treatment Richard Simmons simply has retired from the world in theory. But as noted above since few know what exactly RS looks like today he could be moving about in plain sight and no one would notice.

from what described, this sounds like sad last days of... TMZ, they have become those click bait YouTube videos "what happened to who and who, watch our video (with embedded ads) to find out more !"

Of the public, he had sufficient.

I remember seeing him on tv as a kid and being more bothered by the frizzy hair than the short shorts.

I found this statement sad when I saw it on the Fox - TMZ show last night on Richard.

Claims kids squirted a trail of lighter fluid under the restroom stall door and lit a match to burn his legs. Claims he would stop at all five stores between school and his house and buy food at each one, then hide the wrappers in "the Kotex boxes." What Kotex boxes? He doesn't explain.

He’s someone who has shown exceptional kindness and support to tons of marginalized people, and he’s done it all while being mocked for his femininity and spirit.

He should be left alone.

The Missing Richard Simmons podcast revealed all of this (in more detail) when it aired in 2017. Why did TMZ pretty much just rehash what was already known, was something new revealed? The podcast is an entertaining listen, recommended. Not sure I need to watch the TMZ show.

What connection does Suzanne Somers have to RS? Were they friends?

I hope RS knows millions of people love and care about him and want what is best for him. It is a sad thing that he was bullied for most of his life, including during the peak of his career. He gave so much while enduring a lot of pain. I can’t imagine what that would have been like.

Is his hole all stretched out????

Suzanne is friends with all cameras.

Tony Geary raped him at a disco and now he has a meltdown every time he hears the song "Rise"

A few years back, maybe 4-5, he used to post pics of himself in drag on his Facebook page. Then it just stopped.

Did Richard and Miss Tony Geary exchange cum?

r108 rumours were his housekeeper shamed him for it.

Despite his antics, he's quite religious.

Although, no one understands the relationship he had with his housekeeper, there some that assumed they were lovers (yes, there were some that thought he was in a relationship with a woman. He's been frequently quoted as saying they have a relationship like an old married couple), others thought she was a surrogate mother figure.. as she became a priority in his life when his mother died. But you'll hear many bizarre stories even by the people that support her on what their relationship was like.. it definitely wasn't a relationship one would have with a mere housekeeper.

He also had a 'friendship' with a young south american man, his personal assistant, massage therapist and a dumb aging twink that was probably his lover but neither would admit to having an intimate relationship... he was reportedly the one which made the anonymous call that got police to do a welfare check on him.

where this guy lost credibility was his obsession with thinking the housekeeper was a bruja, a witch.

of course, since this stupid show and all the hype, it will be difficult to search for all the previous stories and the actual friends that raised inquiries. .

I seem to remember a lawsuit involving his "personal trainer". I think the guy was fucking him and selling pictures and stories to the tabloids.

While I was never a fan, RS seemed harmless enough if a little unstable.

I saw the "drag" pics a while back (really awful) and think that sealed the transitioning theories.

And Suzanne Somers is just vile.

Long story short, they don't know what really happened to Richard Simmons, but expect us to sit through an hour of speculation by the likes of Suzanne Somers.

No, thanks.

Shlimmonsh.

R104- Who bullied Richard Simmons?

Same, r112. I have no intention of sitting through an hour long presentation with Susanne Somers of all people speculating what is going on.

I hope he's well.

knee replacements are so common and you can walk normally after operation !

Surely the simplest answer: he got old! He retired. Fair play to him, I hope he’s enjoying life.

[quote]doesn’t want the way he is now to be what people remember him for.

Except no-one is going to remember him for anything.

Who knew Bruce Vilanch is a friend - definitely not shuffling Deal-a-Meal cards.

I'm not buying the "bad knee" story. why suffer when you can get a brand new one and walk like a normal person?

R119 I’m sure the feeling isn’t mutual

R121 it’s well established Richard is opposed to knee surgery

Where can I watch this? I missed the first time.

It aired on Fox last night

I’m just imagining the women reaching for a sanitary napkin and finding a Snickers wrapper.

[quote]Where can I watch this? I missed the first time.

Should be on Fox on Demand since it aired on Fox.

Or on the Fox.com website.

Wikipedia says Richard's mother was a travelling fan dancer! Explains his flamboyance and love of costumes!!

50k dollars to the first guy to get me a picture of him dressed like Little Edie.

Re: relationship by an Suzanne Somers and Richard Simmons. There is a secret society of fitness spokespersons with a pro vegan agenda!

[quote]knee replacements are so common and you can walk normally after operation !

It's not like having a cavity filled. Recovery from knee replacement for someone in his 70s can be long and difficult.

This is exactly what RuPaul will do as well. He’ll milk these international drag shows til he hits whatever number in dollars he is going for and then will disappear like Garbo and never be heard from again.

Garbo never disappeared. She moved to New York and maintained an active if low profile social life.

Dietrich, on the hand, pulled a Crawford. On the day she looked in a mirror and realized she could never again make Marlene appear, she retired to her Paris apartment as a total recluse and never left until her death.

Anyone watched it?

R134 I’m watching in online right now and about halfway through. Suzanne Somers is one of the people in it they’ve interviewed and she’s quite the bitch - made two shady comments already so far (“He was an authentic freak - and I mean that in the best possible way” and then some comment about “Doesn’t that show you he’s got like a heartache? That something’s broken inside?”).

It was a lame exposé with not much revealed.

R136

That's because there isn't anything new or much else to tell. That TMZ broadcast was film medium version of click bait.

There likely are people who know exactly what is going on with Richard Simmons, but they haven't spoken in past, nor seem inclined to do so now.

Richard Simmons is likely well aware of the media sensation caused by his absence, and knows reasons why, which likely goes a long way in explaining why he hasn't come forward publicly.

People only want to get into this man's business so they can gawk, laugh and otherwise make Richard Simmons a punch line; to his credit RS isn't playing along. Good for him.

R137 Oh fuck off!

So much stupid shit that NO ONE asked for being made by platforms desperate for new content

R139 I should have known that something produced by TMZ was going to be clickbait shit.

[quote]Richard had been out of his house since this seclusion, implying that he either transitioned or wears a disguise.

He's transitioning in plain sight but you all cant see it because he has slowly been doing it his whole life. Looking at you Caitlyn.

I hope the psycho little BPD social media turds don't turn this into their latest obsession. Complete with false accusations against his friends and family. He's a lovely man who has given enough of himself and now wants to retire in peace. He talks to an lapd guy regularly, so it's not like there has never been any follow up.

Not going to happen R142 because no one really cares. Richard Simmons is not some hot A list male movie star. He's an old queen who figured out how to make money off fat fraus with over the top stereotype flamboyant behavior. That's it. They have moved on, or died, the rest of the general public could care less and most people under 40 don't even know who he is.

I kid you not, when I lived in Hollywood, I went into a 99 cent store with a friend and what did I see? Richard Simmons Salad Spray!

I guess the thought of Richard Simmons spaying all over your salad was not very appetizing.

[quote]I’m just imagining the women reaching for a sanitary napkin and finding a Snickers wrapper.

Snickers satisfies you.

[quote]He's vain and looks like shit, so he's hiding away. Simple really.

What? He always looked like shit.. He was always pudgy and plump and never handsome. He didn't hide then.

r133

Who was the one that was found in NYC working in a run down motel as a desk clerk?

It's on Hulu.

I watched this on Hulu yesterday and hated myself for it. The storytelling was shitty, as was the promise of WHAT "really" happened to him.

I am 100 percent sure TMZ made this as revenge/blackmail. Obviously, they've been in contact with him and asked for pictures or an interview. When he declined, they punished him for it by embarrassing him and putting a price tag on his head for an ugly, candid, shot.

For someone who was exercising all the time, his body looked saggy - no muscle definition at all.

R151 His legs were muscular.

But that’s one thing I did like about Richard Simmons. His workouts were strictly about losing weight - not abs, biceps, triceps, etc. Some people are just happy to be thin.

I watched the show. Now I know to never waste my time with another TMZ Investigates.

R153 You and me both! Talk about clickbait. What a waste of 43 minutes.

If the guy wants to be out of the public eye. let him be out of the public eye. It's his decision and his choice.

Has Beverly Defreest commented yet?

If Brooke Astor can be held prisoner in her dotage it could happen to anybody.

Same for the "gay best friend murdering" Doris Duke.

Doris had it coming, Brooke did not.

Where's the money and who is controlling it? There lies the answer to everything.

I would hope that Richards' adult diapers and mobility scooter are at least bedazzled though.

Did he get paid to talk to those star tour bus people? Something tells me yes.

R13, here. I was wrong. TMZ has no additional information relating to Richard Simmons that was previously unknown.

I hope Mr. Simmons is well.

He is filthy rich and wants to be left alone. If he wants to chill behind his mansion gates with his housekeeper who cares? I think people are fascinated by the idea of anyone that no longer wants attention and to be left alone. If Miss Simmons and Yolanda want to make corn tortillas and play pattycake while listening to soft rock, I wish them the best!

Because disappearing indicates foul play. Retirement is his right.But disappearing completely is something else.

The only thing I learned during that tragic "investigative" piece is he owned a bunch of health clubs. I actually never knew that.

Does anyone remember when he bought Barbra a $100,000 Tiffany diamond ring and sent to backstage with her manager at one of her concerts in New York?

She not only returned it, but on his birthday! He then had a large $10,000 custom doll made of her.

I can’t imagine Barbra would want anything to do with him, but it seems sad that he never actually got to meet her, that we know of.

what the fuck does he do all day? Just stay in his house? what a sad life

Has he ever actually come out and said he is gay?

[quote]Has he ever actually come out and said he is gay?

Not in so many words, but his fondness for drag, not to mention everything else about him, spoke volumes.

No, didn't know that Tony but Babs is too wealthy to accept such an extravagant gift from a fan. I respect her gesture of returning the ring.

I love him. Maybe he just grew tired of being "on."

He’s a doll collector and regularly surfaces at the sales rooms at doll conventions. At least he has a hobby!

[quote]what the fuck does he do all day? J

He plays solitaire with thousands of decks of unsold Deal-A-Meal cards.

Richard Simmons is fine, and sends his most warmest regards.

So TMZ piece succeeded at one thing at least; it flushed Richard Simmons out to at least make some sort of statement.

Bottom line is pretty much what many in this DL thread have said; RS never had that wonky knee attended to, and that has caused consequences. The man simply isn't what he once was, largely due to having turned into a semi-invalid.

I wonder if he visits DL? Since he is free all fucking day?!

Hi Richard, hope your are well! can I have your stuff when you die?

[quote]He’s a doll collector and regularly surfaces at the sales rooms at doll conventions. At least he has a hobby!

I wonder what his collection consists of, r169.

[quote]Has he ever actually come out and said he is gay?

Well, he wears pantyhose to hide his ugly legs like a drag queen so do the math. Also still rocking those oversized big fluffy socks from the 80's.

I am glad he disappeared. His voice is like nails on a chalkboard and his idea of what is entertaining is tired cliché shtick from the 80's. Like something you would see in a gay piano bar just before closing.

Seriously, can you imaging living with this:

R176 I think you found the answer in that clip. Grandma’s got the Alzheimer’s.

r132 Ru tried to do that briefly when he hit the Divine limit and tried his hand being taken seriously as an actor out of drag .... failed miserably and was an even more awful human being for a few years.. before getting back into drag.

(tho, to be fair to drag. if one remembers the 80s scene both Ru & other drag queens made distinctions from each other. Ru made the stinction that he was a club kid and the queens of era thought he was more transvestite, attractive enough but too much ego and too little charisma to be a queen)

I didn't know Ru was an awful person. I've always enjoyed watching him.

r179 search the thread s here to find much of the horrid stories or look up the articles by numerous participants of the drag race... but even in the 80s, you did at least know he was among the club kids, they amde appearances on talk shows, including Joan Rivers'.. you might recall the film "Party Monster" that was his primary social circle in the 80s and drifted throughout the ny celeb scene - he was the past's equivalent of a (wannabe) social influencer. . which would lead to his appearance in a few music videos and inevitably to hosting mtv's spring break.

^ in the mid to late 90s, he tried putting the dresses away, but that's what everyone wanted him for. He would eventually try his hand at a few serious roles but he was unattractive, old looking, too skinny, bad skin, visibly fey and had mediocre acting skills. . . the roles weren't well received. so, he was quite bitter. still ended up taking the camp roles but this is where you saw a lot more of the nastiness he would come to be known for come out.

Thanks R180 and R181.

I remember he had a talk show? I liked him on that too. Well, if he was a nice guy, might not have made it and I wouldn't know him at all. Still, it makes me a bit sad.

[quote]"Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and love!" captioned the 74-year-old with a heart. "Love, Richard."

That was it? That's all he had to say?

An American version of 'I vant to be alone'

Richard Simmons is happy, leave him alone.

[quote]Richard Simmons is happy, leave him alone.

I thought that vertical stripes were supposed to be slimming.

Poor thang. He’s gay as a goose and no one ever wanted him.

If I were rich I’d retire and become nocturnal.

People are exhausting especially when they’re needy. He had thousands of people being needy with him for years so I can really get wanting to disappear and just be alone.

r183 no verbal confirmation, so it was likely ghost written as many of his posts have become recycled.

it's disturbing how many claim he's happy when he was breaking down every other day before his disappearance and now lives in near total seclusion. . . where we have to trust third parties to convey his will.

If he truly wanted to disappear why not liquidate his remaining assets and move to the middle of nowhere?

Why keep the social media accounts?

He's transitioned a la Bruce Jenner. And he wants not to be famous anymore. A

R185 Just say “Beetlejuice” three times and he’ll appear.

If you've ever found yourself disappointed that there isn't a video of his polished mahogany pins taking the same eight steps, looped for thirty minutes, on an imaginary walk across the country, you can stop that right now. It exists.

The fact that he never officially came out even after gay marriage was legalized and he's as flamboyant as liberace without the mink coats says a lot about the mental state.

Even though EVERYONE knew he was gay, the fact that he would doge and deny the question really was a disservice to the rights many LGBT fought for and some even died. Liberace was a different time but Richard could have came out and not a single Frau would have stopped coming to his fat farm dance clinics.

I have no respect for him because of that.

If anyone on the planet didn't have to technically come out, it's Richard Simmons. What the fuck would it change anything?

He's hilarious with Rosie and Celine.

It would have changed a lot actually. Closet Queens do not help the rights of other when they pretend not to be part of the struggle. Look, he benefited from others taking risks before him coming out so he could live a relatively un-homophobic life in Los Angeles. It wasn't always that way in LA.

You miss the point completely if all you focus on is "everyone knew" he was gay, now lets talk about how funny he is. Which he was not by the way. He's annoying and Barbra thinks he's stockerish.

Maybe he isn't gay. Maybe he is asexual or chooses abstinence. It's no one's business, actually.

[quote]Maybe he isn't gay. Maybe he is asexual or chooses abstinence. It's no one's business, actually.

Did you get lost on your way to Pinterest? This is a gossip board. People gossip here. So sorry if we've given you the vapors.

You lost me at "maybe he isn't gay. If he's asexual or abstinent, I guarantee it's not by his own choice. Screeching queens like that are not on the top of most gay men's want to date list. Besides what does him having sex have to do with not being gay? If a straight man or woman chooses not to have sex, how do we know they are straight?

He got fat and hid from eyes that might be judgmental.

Fat and old, a DLer's worst nightmare.

I may be fat and old but at least I dont wear pantyhose. Why is he doing that? Does he think of himself as a viable pass around bottom with nice legs?

if one wants to believe he's not, then should he be dragged as a homophobe as a great many actors and comedians of the past have been for playing into stereotypical archetypes?

he silently stood as representation despite denials... so, when does the gay divorce come into play?

My mom did sweating too the oldies and I had very complex feelings regarding Richard Simmons. He was obviously a flamboyant, seemingly sweet and fun guy but I was also horrified by his appearance. His weird not quite Afro and the constant showing off his legs. He had excellent legs back then remember but somehow wasn’t sexy. I used to do the video with my mom and I loved it.

Same r205

I've worked out to many, many fitness dvds and Richard was the best.

[Quote] I used to do the video with my mom and I loved it.

Of course you did, and how did you turn out? GAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!!

To be fair R205, your mother probably knew you were gay before you did and probably thought you needed a roll model. A very flamboyant one in a glass closet.

They're SUPP-Hose. Not Panty-Hose. He has leg problems and he needs SUPPORT and a GREAT-LOOKING FEELING.

Everyone wore hose back then. On Three's Company the girls always wire thick, shiny hose under shorts or bodysuits - never bare legs. And every exercise video was the same. No bare legs. It just wasn't done then. I actually think it was more polite. No hairy ape legs or crotch sweat, no panty lines, moose knuckle or camel toe. Who needs to see any of that when you are trying to do leg lifts ffs?

For fucks sake, have you forgotten that Richard Simmons was not a woman? No MAN wore pantyhose in the 80's. Even the most fem of gay men didn't do that, not a thing. Except for drag queens.

Well I am glad Richard did wear the shiny hose. It never bothered me and I don't think it looked weird. And to this day I have no idea which was he dresses or if he has super hairy or shaved legs. Works for me!

[quote]To be fair R205, your mother probably knew you were gay before you did and probably thought you needed a roll model.

Theses were always my roll model.

It looked weird R213, we don't need to know about your twisted sex fetishes. If it looked normal, more men would be doing it. Can you name any famous fitness man today who would do that? You know, ones who wont say they are gay? Not doing it for drag?

Touche R214, ROLE model OK? Although, I do kind of look like those rolls.

There are many instances where two words do not go together.

"TMZ" and "Investigates" are one such instance.

r26 - No! We demand a photo of him smiling next to today's newspaper.

[quote]He's annoying and Barbra thinks he's stockerish.

Stocky, most definitely, but I think you meant stalkerish.

e212 dancers required tights and the dreaded dance belt.

Simmons was not a "dancer". And dancers don't wear short shorts if you are going to make that argument. Dancers wear tights so you can see their body not to hide their hairy legs or to pretend they are a silky smooth bottom queen.

[quote]Simmons was not a "dancer".

As "Sweatin' to the Oldies" proved conclusively.