A little story about why Richard Simmons became a fitness and diet guru. He was in the Frederico Fellini film Satyricon and he was fat. A fan wrote to him and said, “fat people die young, Richard. Please don’t die.” He took it to heart and his relentless positivity became an inspiration to so many people.
Here he was in Satyricon.
This is actually true! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064940/characters/nm07998
Yep. I remember him talking about it in an interview on some talk show decades ago. Might have even been Donahue.
That’s wild, would estimate that kind of messaging has a low success rate based on the “fat people KNOW THEY’RE FAT!!” exasperation I see.
How wonderful someone said the thing that worked for him. Gotta watch that classic Who’s Line? clip someone linked if you haven’t seen it.
Probably helps that it was a pretty wholesome message. Like, “I really like your work, and I hope to see it continue, so please don’t die.”
I think it probably does have a low success rate. Very few people can be shamed by strangers into making such a big change in their lives… But it probably has a higher success rate for someone who wants to be in movies and TV since body image is a big deal there as is looking healthy.
Anyway, I am glad that, whatever the reason, he became the delightful person we will remember him as.
And yes, the Who’s Line episode he was in was a real classic. I wasn’t a huge fan of the American version of the show, but that one is undeniably just hilariously funny.
I can’t believe Richard Simmons’ final act was to try and get trump once and for all.
Fuck god… That asshole takes Richard Simmons and leaves us Trumpfus? WTF god? !!! What the fuck are you doing???
Damn, that sucks. Richard Simmons always seemed like one of the nicest, most genuinely good-hearted people in Hollywood. The world is just a little bit worse off without him.
I’ll never be able to think of him without thinking of his spectacular performance on Whose Line Is It Anyway.
Ty for sharing this. I laughed until I cried.
And I cried till I laughed, what a vicious cycle!
Fr he was a part of my childhood especially with a parent that struggled with weight. He was probably the first person I seen on tv that made me feel like it was ok to be weird.
Why is everyone so young!!!
(This is not a question, do not answer)Anolamies in the space-time continuum.
I’d recommend the Missing Richard Simmons podcast. It’s a miniseries that discusses his legacy and influence. It’s well worth the listen.
I’m legitimately sad. What a nice man he seemed to be.
Some people are so clearly a positive influence on the world around them, it’s always a little extra devastating to see them go.
Thanks Richard for showing me men can be quirky.
Missing Richard Simmons is a fascinating podcast from… Jesus Christ, seven years ago 💀
It covers the influence of Richard, and his sudden and complete withdrawal from public life in 2014.
He seemed to give of himself almost compulsively for most of his life.
I hope his final years were peaceful and joyous.
Rip legend
Wow Richard Simmons and Doctor Ruth in the same day. The Grim Reaper is busy
Keeping entire generations moving. RIP
That’s too bad. I never really got his shtick, but he seemed legit and any stories I ever heard of people interacting with him were always positive. His passing is definitely a loss.
That’s why you shouldn’t work out.
I thought his rampant positivity got him
It was always tinged with darkness
It’s ok, I thought it was funny
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