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Jane Fonda penned a heartfelt tribute to Richard Simmons, another fitness icon from the ‘80s who passed away recently at 76.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, July 14, Fonda, 86, shared a photo of them both smiling, with a caption that read, “Richard Simmons always brought joy and wanted others to feel good and be happy. He went out of his way to spread cheer, and I often wondered if perhaps no one had done that for him when he was younger.”
Fonda, a fellow icon of the 1980s workout scene, described Simmons as “generous with his time and energy,” recalling how he once surprised her by popping out of a huge cake at one of her workout events.
She also reminisced about a time when Simmons went out of his way to greet her in a store, shouting with his distinctive voice to get her attention. “That was Richard, always wanting to bring a smile to people’s faces,” Fonda wrote.
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Fonda shared that she last saw Simmons when she treated him and his boyfriend to lunch. “He was proud of this new relationship, and I was happy for him,” she wrote. “But then, like so many others, I lost touch with him when he withdrew from public life.”
Simmons’ sudden disappearance from the public eye in 2014 sparked curiosity and concern, leading to a dedicated podcast and a Hulu documentary. In 2016, he called into the Today show to dispel rumors, asserting his independence and explaining his desire to take a step back from the limelight.
Fonda concluded her tribute with heartfelt words: “I hope he knew how much love was sent his way these past years. May he rest in peace in his very white home. We will miss you, Richard.”
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Simmons passed away peacefully in his Los Angeles home, one day after his 76th birthday. Authorities believe his death was from natural causes. The beloved wellness guru, who had been diagnosed with skin cancer, remained active on social media, expressing gratitude for birthday wishes from fans.
Simmons was renowned for his weight-loss programs and Sweatin’ to the Oldies aerobics videos. His unique personality and style made him a frequent guest on talk shows and a favorite subject for comedians to parody.
Hollywood experienced a wave of grief as five beloved stars passed away over a tragic July weekend. It began on Thursday, July 11, with the death of Shelley Duvall, who peacefully passed away in her sleep at 75. By Sunday, July 14, four more celebrities had sadly passed away, leaving […]
