Richard Simmons’ Brother Tells Fans Not to ‘Be Sad’ After Fitness Guru’s Death: ‘Celebrate His Life!’

On Sunday morning, Simmons’ brother Lenny shared a touching statement on the late TV personality’s X account.

“Hello everyone,” the message began. “I don’t want people to feel sad about my brother. I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought into people’s lives. He truly cared about people. He called, wrote and emailed thousands of people throughout his career offering help.”

“So don’t be sad. Let’s celebrate his life!” Lenny added. “He was very excited about all the upcoming projects he was working on. We are in shock. Please respect the family during this difficult time.”

SATURDAY, TMZ reported that Simmons died at the age of 76.

Sources told the outlet that law enforcement responded after receiving a call from Simmons’ housekeeper Saturday morning. He was pronounced dead at the scene. TMZ said authorities do not suspect foul play.

News of Simmons’ death came just a day after he celebrated his 76th birthday. He expressed his gratitude to fans who sent him their best wishes on his birthday.

“Thanks… I have never received so many birthday messages in my entire life!” he wrote Friday afternoon. “I am sitting here writing emails. Have a wonderful rest of your Friday. Hugs, Richard.”

Following the sad news of his passing, fans and celebrities took to social media to pay tribute and honor Simmons.

Fitness icon and actress Jane Fonda shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, remembering Simmons for his generosity and bringing happiness to others.

“Richard Simmons always wanted people to feel good and be happy. He went out of his way to make people happy. I often wondered if no one made him happy when he was little,” she began her lengthy message, which included a photo of her and Simmons together.

“He was generous. He gave of himself, of his time, to make people happy. One time he came out of a huge cake at a Jane Fonda WORKOUT event. That was generous,” she continued. “He found out I was in a store he was in, so he quickly bought a little trinket and ran through the store, screaming at the top of his lungs in that characteristic voice, to let me know he was coming. That was generous.”

Fonda said she last saw Simmons when they went to lunch with the star and her boyfriend. “The relationship was new and he was proud. I never saw or heard from him again and, like thousands of others, I mourned his absence from my life,” she wrote.

“I hope he felt the love that so many people have shown him over the last few years. I hope it made him happy,” she concluded. “I read that he died peacefully in his sleep in his all-white house. Rest in peace, dear Richard.”

Pauly Shore, who is set to play Simmons in a biopic, responded to the news of Simmons’ death on Instagram, writing, “Just heard like everyone else that the beautiful Richard Simmons has passed away. I hope you are resting in peace and sparkling in the heavens. Please give my mom Mitzi and dad Sammy a big hug and kiss from me. You are one of a kind Richard. Incredible life. Incredible story. They broke the dolphins shorts when they made you. Rest in peace my friend. Rest in peace.”

Film and television critic Richard Roeper published a heartfelt tribute on X.

“Richard Simmons preached exercise, diet and most importantly kindness. He positively impacted thousands and thousands of lives,” he wrote. “I am one of the hundreds and hundreds of people on television who soaked up his energy and readily accepted those crazy hugs. Rest easy.”

Meanwhile, the sad news of Simmons’ death came just hours after the passing of another ’80s icon. On Saturday, it was reported that the famed sexologist Ruth Westheimer – known as ‘Dr Ruth’ – has died aged 96.

The talk show host and sex expert died at her New York home Friday night, her publicist said. TMZThe cause of his death has not been released.

Like Simmons, Hollywood and beyond mourned Dr. Ruth’s death on social media.

Adam Sander wrote: “I always loved Dr. Ruth. I will miss her very much. She always made us smile. Sending love to her family and thanking her for everything.”

“She was honest, funny and smart,” actress Marlee Matlin said of Dr. Ruth. “But most of all, she was very kind. May her memory be a blessing to her family and all who had the pleasure of knowing her. RIP Dr. Ruth Westheimer.”

Many fans, who grew up with Dr. Ruth and Simmons in the 80s and 90s, expressed sadness that the world lost these two icons in 24 hours.

“Richard Simmons and Dr. Ruth on the same day, that’s tough for us Gen Xers. Two of our pop culture icons as kids,” one fan wrote, while another said: “Sad day for young me. RIP Richard Simmons and Dr. Ruth.”

Producer Patrick Scott Patterson wrote: “Wow. Dr. Ruth and Richard Simmons both passed away today. I can’t think of two people who had more airtime helping people in the 80s and 90s than these two icons. This is truly an end of an era day. My thoughts are with their family and friends today.”

Check out more tributes to Simmons and Dr. Ruth in the articles below.