Richard Simmons died believing he was a “failure” and feared for months that he would be “humiliated” by the upcoming biopic about his life, insiders say.
The hyperactive fitness guru, who built a mini-empire in his trademark tank tops and shorts by urging the overweight to exercise and overhaul their diets, died Saturday of natural causes at his Southern California home. He was 76.
Despite his success, Simmons never felt like he had “made it” and was devastated that he had not received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in his decades-long career.
“Richard died thinking that he had been focused on his career his whole life and that he had never really made it,” an insider told DailyMail.com.
“He didn’t see himself as the legendary icon that everyone knew him to be in his heyday. He saw himself as a failure, and his whole life he never got the one thing he wanted — a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. That broke his heart.”
Richard Simmons died believing he was a ‘failure’ and feared for months that he would be ‘humiliated’ by the upcoming biopic about his life, insiders told DailyMail.com
The beloved fitness guru died of natural causes at his Southern California home on July 13. He was 76.
Simmons was a former 260-pound teenager who became a master of multiple media formats, sharing his hard-won weight-loss tips as the host of the Emmy-winning Richard Simmons Show and as the bestselling author of the Deal-A-Meal diet plan.
His daily program was seen on 200 stations in America, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan and South America. His first book, Never Say Diet, was a best-seller.
He was known for counseling severely overweight people, including Rosalie Bradford, who holds the record for the world’s heaviest woman, and Michael Hebranko, who credited Simmons with helping him lose 700 pounds.
After winning over a fan base with his infectious enthusiasm and positivity, Simmons stepped back from the spotlight in 2014.
In 2017, he was ordered to pay the legal fees of the National Enquirer after he sued the magazine for defamation. In 2016, the magazine ran a front-page story saying he was transitioning to a woman.
At the time, the court ruled that identifying a person as transgender does not necessarily expose him or her to “hatred, contempt or ridicule” and is not considered defamatory.
“Although in practice it may be the case that a part of the population experiences the characteristic as disparaging, the court will not validate these prejudices by recognising them in law,” the judge added.
Simmons previously confirmed that he is not transgender and even provided a lengthy list of reasons why he was, in an ongoing, explosive lawsuit with the publisher.
Simmons, pictured in 2013, was devastated that he never received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
During his impressive career, the fitness coach hosted his own Emmy-winning daytime program, the Richard Simmons Show
Simmons’ humiliation about the lawsuit that gave its first impetus he hesitated to give his blessing to the upcoming biopic about his life, starring Pauly Shore, because he feared he would expose himself to further hurt and public ridicule.
“He felt humiliated by some of the things that have happened over the years and feels like he has let his true fans down,” the insider said. “That’s why he just wanted to be left alone.
“He was always searching for an identity and trying his best to please everyone. The sad thing about his death was that after years of inner torture, he finally came to a point where he started to move on and accept himself.”
“Richard initially didn’t agree because he didn’t like looking at himself in the mirror,” the insider said.
‘He never watched any of his old videos or any of his performances because he was very critical of himself. He felt backed into a corner.
“He cared deeply about his fans, but was just so worried about being the butt of the joke. He tried to defend his position on this out of fear of further humiliation, but Pauly assured him that wouldn’t happen.
Simmons also feared the upcoming biopic about his life. Insiders claimed that ‘he wasn’t ready to look at his life because he had so much pain and regret’
Pauly Shore, who played Simmons in a short film titled The Court Jester, also plays him in the upcoming biopic
‘Pauly wanted to involve him in the process and he told Richard he didn’t want to hurt him. Ultimately, he was humbled by the fact that a film was being made about him.
“But he wasn’t ready to look at his life because he had so much pain and regret. He died without knowing what an icon he was.”
Shore previously played Simmons in the short film The Court Jester, which was written and directed by Jake Lewis.
The 10-minute project received a standing ovation when it premiered in Park City, Utah in January.
Simmons denied the biopic at the time, telling fans he had not given permission.
“You may have heard they’re making a movie about me with Pauly Shore,” he wrote on Facebook.
“I never gave permission for this film. I don’t have a manager anymore, I don’t have a publicist anymore. I’m just trying to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support.”
Throughout his career, Simmons has been a reliable critic of fad diets, always emphasizing healthy eating and exercise regimens (pictured with singer Katy Perry in 2013)
It came a day after he declined to participate in interviews, writing: “I just wanted to let you all know that I am doing well and happy. Many people have been asking me for interviews.
“But right now I don’t want to do them. It’s a gray and rainy day here in Los Angeles, but my heart is filled with your kindness to me.”
Simmons’ publicist confirmed his death in a statement to The Associated Press on Saturday. He did not provide further details.
Los Angeles police and firefighters responded to a home — whose address the AP matched to Simmons’ through public records — where a man had died of natural causes.
Simmons announced in March 2024 that he had skin cancer, a day after panicking his fans with the “news” that he was dying.
