The man is nearing 70yrs old. He's given his life to helping others. The man has retired. He's earned the right to do whatever he wants. Clearly he wants to be left alone.
icegypsy99 yeah but he's cut off EVERYONE. Friends he was close to for over 40 years. That is a worrying sign, and not just a normal retirement. They have a reason to be worried.
He spent his whole life helping and worrying about everyone else and now people are paying him back for his good deeds by reaching out and making sure he is ok and trying to help him in return and showing love to him
Retired people don't become recluses, they just stop working. He went from being his usual self to a full-on, socially isolated recluse literally overnight. That's not just retired.
icegypsy99 yes and he had a knee replacement which I heard is really painful complicated messes up ur nerves...he had mentioned complications with this...I agree let the man alone...
As I get older (going on 32), I often think about people, celebrities or other, who have shaped my personality as an adult and Richard Simmons is someone who was a huge influence on me. He showed everyone that you can be and do whatever you want and spread selfless and altruistic love for everyone. It's sad to hear he's going through painful times but I hope he knows how loved he is and fuck all the haters and leeches.
Laura G He really is and what I always thought was interesting is that he never married. I don't know much about his personal life, but it was kind of miraculous that someone who never had a spouse was willing to give so much love all the time. I like to believe his on camera personality was the same off camera and that he really cared about overweight people and everyone he tried to help. Then you have fucking scumbags like Milo Yiannopolous that thinks its disgusting when he works out to have to look at obese people in gyms who are trying to lose the weight and better themselves, then thinks the only way they're going to lose weight is be fat shamed.
Depression can be debilitating and will rob someone of their passion resulting in weight gain, drug abuse and agoraphobia. I hope I'm wrong but shutting everyone out is something that goes hand in hand w/severe depression as are thoughts of suicide. I fight it everyday
Be comforted knowing that depression is a very minor ailment compared to many physical ailments. For a decade I have been suffering from severe breathing issues which destroyed my life. I am going for my third surgery in a few weeks. The surgeries and medication I have received have greatly improved my comfort. Before my surgeries, I lived in constant state of physical torture. I envied people with ailments like depression.
@Charles What an ignorant statement to make. Have you ever personally suffered from a mental/behavioral handicap? It's not all roses, you know. I've unfortunately had to live with both an autoimmune disease and depression and can tell you that the physical pain I feel everyday does not even remotely compare to the anguish and total despair my psyche goes through; I am a prisoner in my own mind. Those who suffer from physical ailments are a tad bit more lucky than their counterparts - with the right medical attention and support of friends/family, the pain may look manageable. At the very least, you have your sanity and preserve some sense of self control. This is not the case with those who are emotionally unbalanced - there is no elective surgery I can schedule, no magic pill I can take that will lessen the pain or make me want to off myself any less. There is no comfort amongst the comapny of loved ones, their mere presence brings me shame. I envy people who can partake in the simple joys of life such as walking outside their house without the irrational fears my mind tortures me with. You would never want an existance like mine...
pookieluvie amen. I suffer from severe depression, anxiety and have now been agorophobic for almost 2 years. no income, no insurance, no meds....its not fun
Most people don't retire by not showing up for a scheduled work shift and disappearing. Even longtime friends have been cut off. This could be a sign of depression, severe anxiety, dementia, or the fact that others may be influencing him. It is concerning.
He spent his whole life helping and worrying about everyone and now its fantastic that people are paying that back and worried about him and are trying to help him now
I think that Richard needed a rest but a lot of his fans miss him so much. Nothing anyone can say can diminish Richard in my eyes. He is and will always be a very special man.
I remember watching him growing up as a 90s baby and I’m like “this guy is funny” in a good way. People change. It’s sad but true. Our energy changes. Also, we need our own time sometimes to feel ourself again. He seems like an amazing person. God bless him
It sounds like he may have had some sort of breakdown. It's one thing to want some space and privacy after several decades in the spotlight, but to completely cut off all of the people who are closest to you is extremely strange. I hope he is okay.
Wait.... What kind of, "friend," goes on ABC news, Wendy WIlliams, and other media sources promoting a podcast that he invented titled, "Missing Richard Simmons?" If you're truly his friend, call HIM. Talk to HIM. Even if he doesn't return your calls and E-mails. Don't talk ABOUT him and to fucking TMZ every 5 minutes.
sara He called him, emailed him, showed up at his house, called his Richard's brother, showed up at his brother's house, talked to Richard's publicist. Also, there's only six episodes of the podcast. The sixth episode he stated was the final episode because this is only about finding his friend.
Regardless how you paint and color it....I would never start a podcast about a celebrity and then tour with it alongside TMZ, Good Morning America, The Wendy Williams show, etc... That's just me, though. Everyone's moral compass is different....
Kris Ford - WHY would you say this? When and where have you EVER seen him in the company of children? Don't be an a$$hat. If you have evidence, put it where your Textbox is; otherwise, shut your cakehole.
Aaaaand you corroborate your claim how, Kris Ford? You'd better be able to back that up, kiddo, because those are the sorts of free speech claims that can land one in court answering to charges of Libel.
I agree with those of you saying he’s earned the right to retire and do as he pleases. But to just not show up one day to a class? That’s not retiring. That’s a breakdown. If he really just wanted to stop for all the right reasons then he would’ve told his followers that. Not just disappear. . My point is I genuinely hope he’s okay because while I never had issues with my weight I still remember him fondly growing up and seeing him on tv, and knew he did so much for other people.
Leave Mr Simmons alone!!!!!!! Let him know you care about him if you want but leave the guy alone . He has given himself to the public for a long time let him be.
I saw him at the 2013 Macys Day Parade. lol. We were laughing because of how crazy he looked on the float. I laughed so hard when he opened the lady's pizza box and went "OH MY GOD!" Yes it's understandable how he's pushing 70 and just wants to retire but it's the WAY he did it, just out of nowhere that he stopped showing up to classes and cut off contact from his closest friends and people who needed his help. That just seems odd. Everyone just wants more in depth answers instead of "I just want to be alone."
I certainly agree that he is a national treasure, and that he has courted the spotlight since his mission began. The thing that concerns me - and, I think, everyone who cares about him - is that, had it simply been 'retirement' he would have announced his retirement. He would have kindly (as is his style) allowed his employees to know about it, long beforehand, so they could make arrangements for themselves. And he would have done the media blitz to make sure he retired in a huge fanfare. A well person who has made his passion his fortune doesn't just drop out of sight and allow his life's work to simply languish and die. But, that is exactly what happened. In his responses to very public queries he doesn't state, anywhere at any time, that he has retired and now just wants to rest. Everyone in the world can respect that. But, his words have always stopped just short of saying that. THAT is what concerns people - not what he has said, but what he has NOT said.
I grew up a punk kid into music.I’ve always found Richard to be a wonderful human being. I use to get mad when people would hate on the poor man. Depression is a bitch especially with half the world hating on you u for no reason. Let the man have his peace.
If he retired why did he say anything to any one. Why would he cut out friends? He has to know what he is doing because I have been see his name on magazine more and more at the grocery store. So it is getting his name refreshed to a whole new audience.
Richards Simmons is a born movie star! He is so glamorous and classy, and one of the funniest guys ever! He is soooo genuine, you feel like you've known him forever. Richard is the whole package - a pkg full of diamonds. gold and peals. We love you Richard!
I'm surprised the publicist would speak negative towards the podcast - the podcast shines the light on how important Simmons was to thousands of people, how inspirational and what a great person he was. Simmons brought this latest attention on himself -- everyone would stop asking and speculating, if he just gave a simple "goodbye"... people aren't mad he vanished - just confused. And all of that could have been avoided by simply answering, "Why?"
Everyone saying _"He deserves to retire, leave him alone! I hope he's living his best life, and ETC 💕"_ is kind of an idiot. Nobody would fault him if he said he wanted to step back, but it's an unnecessarily _weird_ situation. You don't think he _knows_ that people are worried about him? If he's okay, he could dispel the concerns easily, and if he's the caring guy people believe, of course he would.
If he is not missing, do not say so just to get hits on your channel. The general population have lost self boundaries and we have seen what comes from this mindset. Love to all
The point is that no one knows, and he has friends and employees who want to know what happened to the point that he virtually stopped all public, private, and electronic with everyone he knew (except for immediate staff) from one day to the next. I understand the concern and those who feel alarmed to the point that they would like to see proof of life, proof of safety, & proof of sound mind & body.
...and I forgot to add wanting to see such proof particularly because he is such a gentle, loving, vulnerable person who struggles with depression and loneliness. When you add those qualities to someone who has amassed wealth over a lifetime's work, in their older years it could prove dangerous with the level of scammers and opportunists out their willing to prey on them. Because Richard Simmons is such a treasured health and pop culture icon, is the reason why you have folks metaphorically saying, " Richard, all you have to do is blink twice...let everyone know that you're not in the same position as someone like the late Mickey Rooney, let us know you're really alright"
At 70 there could be any number of things that could be wrong with Richard, both physically and mentally. I really think he is fighting something, whether it is dimentia or a physical ailment. Something is up. I pray he overcomes whatever it is and he comes out healthy and happy.
So I understand people think he just retired but I think the difference is how he stopped responding to those friends close to him who knew him for decades. It’s possible he didn’t consider them true friends though idk.
That was very well stated " I'm not as much as in love with a person so much as I am in love with what I do" those for me are words of inspiration because we are already within our selves all we will want or need to be we only have yet to realize it. God bless you Mr. Simmons.
He's was a good guy! Either Richard or one of his team would call me every other week to give me encouragement. I really hope he's ok. I was always envious of his legs lol
It wouldn't be the first time a celebrity has been manipulated and kept isolated by someone with a shady ulterior motive. He might have been made to feel dependant on that person so they can have total access to his resources. Sounds like the housekeeper is behind this.
Actor Steve McQueen was found unrecognizable wandering in Mexico after a diagnosis of lung cancer. Celebrities are people just like us and have the same vulnerabilities and frailties.
I think he's always been sad and struggled with depression. The super extrovert happy persona we see on camera is something he created to escape his depression.
I m praying richard is ok we all need a break i had the pleasure of spending time w him just he n I on his cruise to lose it is a memory I will never forget n it was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life ♥ I have followed him for a long time he is like a best friend n may God protect n keep him in his heart Richard u r loved by many I treasure our talk n still have the picture of you n I from the cruise n the beautiful note u gave me love u my friend God bless u n keep u in his heart forever u helped so many n we all love u ❤
I remember watching Him in the 1980's I've often wondered what happened to Him, I never heard or seen Him on Television, after so many Years in the spotlight, some people just leave and not say anything, they don't have to. I wish Him all the best and Happy that he's okay, when / if He's ready to come back, He'll come back.
I think Richard probably just needed a break. He gave so much of himself to everyone, all the time. He never turned anyone down He also had a knee replacement which I'm sure slowed him down and in one of his last interviews, he said his other knee is bad as well. I'm sure he is also depressed that he's not doing what he loved but The media has a tendency to sensationalize things and this case, its no different. His brother visits him and verified Richard is fine. He said that people need to accept that his brother needs a much needed rest.
Richard, you are loved and I for one miss you so much and wish you would return to public eye. I have just started a weight loss program and am going to my Richard Simmons video’s. I have a bunch. For the next month it will be My stretching to the classics and Tone and sweat!! I love and miss you Richard and I know I’m not alone 💔
I just hope he is not in the depressed state, and just taking time off for his private life. Always missing you and waiting to hear your Big Loud Hi once again Richard Simmons :)
This man is a great humanitarian, gave everything he had and I think he's tired. That was a lot of energy that he expended and gave from his heart. I remember him acting in soap operas 40 years ago General Hospital, the Luke and Laura days. They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery. The comic genius Eddie Murphy did a parody of Richard, Little Richard Simmons on Saturday night live. Three icons in one. I'm glad Richard is alright, because he was everywhere for decades.
Simmons is a great man He's done a lot to help a lot of people If he wants time to himself for the first time in decades He is MORE then entitled to Just hope he's doing ok
I don't blame him for disappearing. Not everyone likes overwhelming "instant celebrity" status for very long. Imagine this for yourself: Every time you open your front door there are 30 screaming people who might grab and tear your clothes, follow you screaming to your car, never being able to just go shopping at the supermarket without getting mobbed. I think it would be exhausting and horrible to live like that. Wouldn't you want to never open your front door and put into place a way to drop out of sight for awhile? I think he really loves people and cares about them, but it just got out of control.
I never liked him but he is a HERO !! I hope he is well and will let those who love him he is well !! I do want to thank him though for his effort to help all the people he has helped and think he should have a statue of him erected !! THANK YOU Mr Simmons WELL DONE !!
Poor Guy is burned out!!! Leave him be... It's all about him... He needs to decide how to proceed... He has resources to reach out for help. I, personally hope that he finds what he needs... I LOVE his energy... I have not been a loyal Richard person, but he has always turned my head because of his honesty, pureness and frankly my personal identification with his using comedy and love to promote others and therein, getting a little burst off of it yourself. That burst that is your encouragement and proof that what you do makes a difference.
I believe one of his last public interviews was with David Letterman and though I love David very much you could see the bite and harshness towards Richard Simmons. At the time I thought it was just an act for TV but perhaps Richard took it to heart, such a sweet and sensitive guy. David was definitely not sweet and sensitive on TV and that's what most people liked about him but in this case I really think it backfired and hurt Richard
I hope that Mr. Simmons is well. If he has decided to retire from the spotlight, then so be it. He has given most of his life to others. Now is the time to grant him some respect and privacy.
