Richard Simmons Found Dead at 76 — 1 Day After His Birthday

Fitness guru Richard Simmons was found dead Saturday in his home by his housekeeper, his representative has confirmed to TMZ.

He had reportedly fallen last night, on his 76th birthday, which may have been related to his death, which sources tell TMZ is being treated as a high-profile but natural passing.

On Friday, Simmons posted in response to fans birthday wishes, “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.”

Four days ago, he posted on Facebook, "Getting closer to telling my story in my own words. I’m so excited!"

A lifelong Barbra Streisand superfan, and a devotee of drag, Simmons' final Facebook post was an image of himself as a woman with the caption, "Hello gorgeous!  Please don’t rain on my parade."

Though a household name for more than 40 years, Simmons' celebrity was renewed, ironically, by his reclusive nature in recent years. Simmons' whereabouts and well-being became such a mystery that in 2017 he was the subject of the "Missing Richard Simmons" podcast.

He was born Milton Teagle Simmons on July 12, 1948, in New Orleans to a family ensconced in show business.

As a chubby teen, he appeared (uncredited) in "Fellini Satyricon" (1968) and "The Clowns" (1970), later changing his name to Richard in honor of a generous uncle who put him through college.

In the '70s, Simmons became a health nut, reportedly losing more than 120 lbs. He opened a gym called the Anatomy Asylum and later Slimmons in Beverly Hills, where he led exercise classes and quickly built a following around his flamboyant and encouraging persona.

With short-shorts, a signature tank, and the Simmons 'fro, he gained more fans than ever thanks to a profile on the TV series "Real People."

Throughout the '80s, he became a multi-millionaire with programs available on cassette, CD, and video that included his iconic "Sweatin' to the Oldies" aerobics plans, as well as more than a dozen books. His 1989 "Deal-A-Meal Cookbook" was among his best sellers.

Key to Simmons' success was his ability to make a splash across all media. To that end, he played himself numerous times, including on "CHiPs" (1982), "Fame" (1982), "Amazing Stories" (1985), "Dinosaurs" (1992), "The Larry Sanders Show" (1992), "Evening Shade" (1992), "All My Children" (1995), "Arrested Development" (2003 & 2004), and on more than 70 episodes of "General Hospital" from 1979-2013.

From 2010-2013, Simmons provided the voice of Coach Salmons on the animated kids' show "Fish Hooks," but by 2014 was disappearing from public view.

In recent years, Simmons seemed to be emerging a bit via social media, but his posts were not always reassuring. Less than four months before his shocking death, he posted, "Please don’t be sad. I am ….dying.  Oh I can see your faces now. The truth is we all are dying.  Every day we live we are getting closer to our death. Why am I telling you this?  Because I want you to enjoy your life to the fullest every single day. Get up in the morning and look at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy."

He later attempted to play it off, but it had his fans worried.

In light of his passing, comedian Pauly Shore — who had hoped to mount a film based on Simmons' life in spite of the guru's resistance — posted on X, "I just got word like everyone else that the beautiful Richard Simmons has passed. I hope you’re at peace and twinkling up in the heavens. Please give my mother Mitzi and my father Sammy a big hug and a kiss for me. You’re one of a kind, Richard. An amazing life. An amazing story. They broke the dolphin shorts when they made you. Rest in peace, my friend. Rest in peace."

Ricki Lake, a fellow TV great, posted a snap of herself with Simmons, writing, "My heart is broken with the loss of this super special human. May he RIP. I loved him so much."

Former talk show host Sally Jessy Raphael posted, "I am completely devastated at the loss of @theweightsaint… we’ve done so many shows together, shared so many laughs & hugs, and I considered him a dear friend who changed so many lives over the years."