He was one of the first people I remember recognizing on TV, and knowing their name as a real person and not a character. The Richard Simmons Show encouraged clean living, healthy lifestyles and sensible eating. I don't remember much more than it existed and was something I'd see on TV in the summer.
Once the show was over in about 1985, Simmons was just sort of omnipresent on television through, like, my 30's. I remember tears from people talking about their struggles with weightloss, and Simmons, in workout duds, holding their hand and listening, absolutely sincerely. Sure, at first you'd laugh like a snarky kid, but eventually, you had to say to yourself "this guy does this all the time. He never breaks. He maintains eye contact. He listens and tries to help." Like, you realizes he might be goofy in some ways, but at least that part was real.
He was also on celebrity gameshows, did guest appearances, was a late night TV staple, and sold millions and millions of VHS tapes to folks who didn't want to start working out at the gym or a Jazzercise class, they wanted to try it at home.
In 1992-93, my high school drama class agreed to do "Sweatin' to the Oldies" once a week, as my drama instructor rightfully noticed, we were not the most active kids. At the time it was the most notorious of Simmons' offerings, constantly advertised during daytime TV, playing music from the 60's as an army of, indeed, very sweaty people danced behind Richard in the background. So, initially it was ironic. But we all agreed - there was something to the videos. Just enough to get you moving, but it wasn't like the Jane Fonda tapes that were a strenuous workout. After that, I felt like I got his niche and what he was doing - providing a realistic lifeline for people to at least try to get moving, and make it fun.
Simmons retreated from public life around a decade ago, and after a lifetime of public engagement, eventually speculation about what he was up to begin to swirl. But almost all allegations were denied or dismissed.
I suspect we'll likely learn much more about Simmons' private life now that he's passed.
I don't know how much Simmons will be remembered by folks younger than myself. He did have an online presence, but was fading for a decade before he officially disappeared. And I don't know how many people will come forward with remembrances.
Say what you will, and, yes, he made a lot of money selling tapes to people who probably watched them once, but he did offer some help and some hope, and he can't be at your house to get you to use your Deal-a-Meal cards, or find the 30 minutes for a workout. I think he was probably an okay dude.
I do still wonder if he owned any long pants.
