Still, his housekeeper is "a fiercely loyal employee and friend.". Circumstances surrounding his death though still remain a mystery.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'howdidtheydied_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',103,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-howdidtheydied_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Richard Fritz Simmons was a young man growing up in the poor neighborhoods of New York City. Clad in hot pants and bedazzled tank tops, the superstars light-hearted approach helped make fitness feel fun and accessible to overweight Americans who had long been intimidated by sculpted and self-serious trainers. Check your local listings for when 'TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened To Richard Simmons?' airs in your area! More evidence that potentially supports the conspiracy regarding Richard Simmons being a kidnapping victim is the fence around his property. Facebook @AuthorHarlemHoliday Simmons once again took the opportunity to squash any sort of wild rumors sparked by the documentary. Richard Simmons hopes a new generation of fans will discover his classic exercise series, Sweatin' to the Oldies. Richard Simmons has broken his six-year silence, with his spokesperson telling The Post that the beloved fitness icon is living the life he has chosen.. Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. Well by now you know that Im not missing, just a little under the weather.. Richard Simmons, a beloved fitness guru, was a talk show fixture at the height of his career. Donnells older brother, Richard Porter, reached out to Richard Fritz Simmons for help with the half-a-million-dollar ransom for the return of his kidnapped brother. The star himself told Oprah Winfrey in a 1980s interview that he developed an eating disorder after high school, saying: I stopped eating and I got to 119 pounds and I was in the hospital.. There are several ways to watch with a free live stream. On February 15, 2014, fitness guru Richard Simmons disappeared. the popular podcast Missing Richard Simmons,, thanked the hospital's staff in a Facebook message, Richard Simmons reportedly set to file suit against media outlets. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I said, Why? and he said, Shell make fun of me. And thats not my style, I never make fun of anybody. Nor is she into stretching the truth. You have done so much good in so many peoples lives. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. (Moses Robinson/Getty Images), "He wanted to be remembered as a vibrant, healthy man," the doc claimed, "not an elderly man with medical problems. Airs tonight at 8/7c on @foxtv pic.twitter.com/SkFIJy6gts, Ultimately, the documentary lands at the conclusion that Simmons left the public eye because of a double knee replacement that affected his ability to exercise and his desire to retire. TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons - TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons: What really happened to Richard Simmons? When they didnt succeed (by their own and Simmons definitions), he felt like a failure. Ive had hair transplants, but you can only do so much, so I have 12 hairs left and I just spray them, toss them and make it look like a salad. The documentary TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons, which recently aired on Fox, has a new theory regarding Simmons's health that purports to explain why the beloved . You havent seen the last of me. What Really Happened To Fran Lockwood? After relocating to Los Angeles in his early 20s, Simmons realized that fitness facilities only targeted those who were already in shape. Richard Simmons is speaking out publicly for the first time in years following the release of a new TMZ documentary focusing on his mysterious disappearance from the spotlight. Through an associate of the Lucchese crime family, one of the five families of La Cosa Nostra (the Mafia), Fritz would expand his operations and become a supplier for many area dealers. Fritzs sister Evelyn Simmons claimed that her brother Fritz was poisoned in 1991. In Harlem Holiday, the author brings out the real facts as to who the true Richard Simmons was after almost three decades of speculation. In August 2022, TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons was released, and fueling more speculation about his disappearance. Many drug organizations ran 812 hour work shifts morning, afternoon and night, and workers received their pay at the end of the work week. The Harlem Plug is a 266- page biography of Richard "Fritz" Simmons written by the author, Harlem Holiday. Fitness guru Richard Simmons is "Sweatin' To The Oldies" with a limp today, after a car ran over his foot, reports TMZ. Your login session has expired. In Nicky Barnes memoir, Mr. Untouchable, Barnes described how he strategically placed up to three people and cars at different locations to help transport his drugs from New Jersey or Queens back to his Harlem headquarters. more. The doc uses these clips to establish the distinguishable difference between his public persona and private life. After decades in the spotlight, the 74-year-old suddenly stopped teaching at his workout studio in 2014. Prix British Fantasy. Thats when he decided to make it his mission to create a fitness environment open to people of all shapes and sizes. In addition to inspiring people for decades to lose weight, he's done these things as well. When the star suddenly vanished, he didn't have a six-foot-tall fence surrounding his mansion. How Was This Dangerous Serial Killer Executed? Simmons has sold about 65 million tapes, DVDs and cassettes. After negotiating a deal with the Medelln Cartel, Fritz becomes New York's Cocaine Consignment King. Thank you for saving my life over and over again, I am forever grateful for you.. The fitness guru with Taberski, a former student who calls his podcast "a grand gesture." (Courtesy of . I watched the documentary about you last night. Richard is a famous semi-retired fitness personality who is well-known for his energetic fitness videos. Fritz was introduced into the drug trade by an associate . Legal Statement. Simmons relocated to Los Angeles while in his early 20s, and noticed that most fitness clubs were targeting people who were already fit. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Fritz left behind several children, millions of dollars in cash, and a brownstone, which he never lived in. You will never know how much it means to me. The Richard who has vanished is more authentically himself than the loud, sometimes crazy persona that he created, its said near the end of the doc. Simmons' rep, Tom Estey, spoke . Instagram @AuthorHarlemHoliday As per Celebrity Net Worth, Richard has an estimated net worth of $20 million. Over the years, rumors have swirled about the reasons why Simmons left the spotlight, with some fans wondering if the star was being held hostage by his longtime housekeeper Teresa Reveles a theory Simmons himself debunked during a March 2016 telephone call to TODAY's Savannah Guthrie. Even at the height of his fame, the publicly bold and brash Simmons preferred to spend nights at home alone, with a barren social calendar that made both Boo Radley and Howard Hughes look like socialites. That legacy remains rock solid, despite his disappearance from the spotlight. Check out what clicked this week in entertainment. In the age of social-media fitness influencers, Richard Simmons stands out as the O.G. It was originally published on 31 October, 2019. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Simmons' spokesperson, Tom Estey, confirmed to TODAY that the "Sweatin' to the Oldies" star posted the message, which comes just days after the premiere of TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons, a documentary on Fox and Hulu. The podcast explored the theories about Simmons abrupt disappearance, and even spoke with friends and family of the workout guru. and he said, 'She'll make fun of me," the 75-year-old shared. The special, streaming on Fox and Hulu, claims that problems with the stars knees were behind his sudden shunning of the spotlight. His operation on the first was so painful that he allegedly was delaying the second. His bestselling fitness tape, Sweatin to the Oldies, grossed more than $200 million alone. The account of events, as told by Fritzs closest friends and family, includes research gathered from newspaper clippings, magazine articles, social media, blogs, and court transcriptsfully disclosed. TMZ addresses the various theories and, in the end, has an answer - why Richard just disappeared. Barnes, who is also from 112th street, never left Harlem, but he bought and lived in a luxurious condo in Washington Heights. Richard Porter walked down a cold Harlem street in December 1990 wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a loaded pistol. Moving solo, or with no more than two people kept Fritz safe, Holiday says. He adopted a lifestyle of balance, moderate eating and exercise that allowed him to maintain a healthy weight. Most of the inhabitants of Harlem benefited from Fritz in one way or another. There were three more attempts on known drug dealers between January and March 1991: Roberto Mercedes, Richard "Fritz" Simmons, and David Crumpler. It offers insight into Fritz's childhood, his work ethic and why he returned to Harlem. Filmmaker Dan Taberskis released the Missing Richard Simmons podcast in February 2017. One distinguishing fact about Fritz is that his crew consisted of only two people: friends Ace and Charles Chucky Caine. She and her wife, Molly, are the proud moms of two formerly stray cats, Sophie and Pierre, and a rescue dog named Gracie. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. He was born without a full set of bones in his foot and it causes physical and emotional problems., Richard found comfort in food and he gained a lot of weight, doc producer Charles Latibeaudiere further revealed. Simmons rep, Tom Estey, spoke Friday following the release of a new documentary about the workout kings sudden disappearance from the spotlight. To get some answers, TMZ produced a documentary to address the rumors about Simmons' disappearance. The 74-year-old fitness guru shared a message with fans just days after the premiere of a new TMZ documentary about his disappearance from the spotlight. In the 1970s, Richard "Fritz" Simmons is introduced to the drug trade, by an associate of the Lucchese crime family, one of the five families of La Cosa Nostra (the Mafia). Richard Simmons just seems like one of those celebrities who has always been around. Richard Simmons' mysterious disappearance from public life gets put under the microscope in a new documentary that aims to find out what the fitness icon has been up to since he was last seen . Meanwhile, one former attendee at Simmons gym said the star would would cry until snot came out of his nose because he was so emotionally invested in the wellbeing of his fans. "Hes given up public life entirely Richard is a master of disguise. There is a tremendous burden you take on when you connect with so many people that are sharing their challenges with you, Dr. Phil McGraw, 71, says in the TMZ special. "And if he didnt get one, he might never be able to exercise again. Everyone in that building worked for Fritz in some way.. Mostly any drug dealer would have used drug peddlers to distribute the drugs, but not Fritz. "No one is holding me in my house as a hostage, Simmons told Guthrie on the air. I was always so surprised when he thought Id make fun of him. ", Numerous conspiracy theories concerning Richard Simmons' whereabouts have been offered over the years. Thats why he disappeared.". This kept the attention of NYPD off him for over a decade. The lucrative deal unlocks a lavish lifestyle with more money than . You will never know how much it means to me, he wrote. (David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images). Harlem referred to Richard Fritz Simmons, their own urban legend, as Fritz from West 112th Street. He is happy, healthy and living the life he has chosen to live," Estey said in a statement. ", The special also alleged that there is one LAPD detective, who didnt want to be identified, but who has talked to Simmons over the years. There was no crew, no crack houses, no intricate drug trafficking operation. Popular underworld crews like The Supreme Team, The Chambers Brothers or The Council had lieutenants, disciplinarians, and workers. . She is an Amazon novel Bestseller, born and raised in Harlem. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Richard is eternally grateful for the continuous outpouring of love and gratitude he has received from across the Globe, Estey told The Post. His blueprint consisted of staying quiet, aloof from violence, and doing the opposite of what everyone else was doing. The note read: "Fat people die young. Im sure I will be feeling good and back home in a couple of days. Nobody has heard from him - and no one knows why he left. Richard Simmons has not been seen in public for eight years, but he's not as reclusive as you probably thought.. From 1980 onward, the frizzy-haired, gleefully eccentric entertainer was also a fixture on daytime and late-night TV talk shows, quipping with comedians and becoming one of the most beloved celebrities in the country. "A lot of you have been wondering about my health and my weight loss," "I have . Also Read This: How Did John Wayne Gacy Die? In 2017, Simmons sued two tabloid publications that alleged he was transitioning into a woman. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Your email address will not be published. My original screenplay, Trapped, addressed key issues and transformations in my life, Faison wrote in his memoir, Game Over. Flamboyant fitness guru Richard Simmons has kept such a low profile in recent years that his lack of publicity has stirred up the press. It was Bee who introduced Fritz to the dope game. Despite the reported health struggle, Simmons who has always been an introvert is now seeming to relish his retirement, enjoying a quiet life away from the cameras at his home in the Hollywood Hills. How Did Monses Mom Die? Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. It goes without saying that this foresight paid and he sold the coke in two weeks, a record time that earned him the name, The Consignment King. When Donnell Porter, brother of Rich Porter, was kidnapped and held for a $500,000 ransom, it was Fritz who gave Porter 30 free kilos of cocaine to get Donnell back. Simmons simply suffered a knee injury. According to the bombshell documentary, Simmons has suffered from a painful congenital condition affecting his feet . I went to my first Halloween party dressed as a couch. Simmons put up a fence around his property shortly after his disappearing act. You have given me so much joy for years, it is your time now, you deserve peace and happiness. He also never moved out of his old apartment building and drove an old Nissan Maxima. Twitter @HarlemHoliday, PRESS CONTACT: When I saw spaghetti, I saw worms. There was always at least three layers (people) between Barnes and his drugs. His disappearing act consisted of staying quiet, aloof from violence, and doing the opposite of everyone! Joy for years, it is your time now, you deserve peace happiness! Family of the inhabitants of Harlem benefited what happened to richard fritz'' simmons Fritz in one way or.... He was transitioning into a woman ethic and why he left my name email. Chucky Caine he also never moved out of his old apartment building and drove an Nissan... My style, I saw worms lifestyle of balance, moderate eating and exercise that allowed him to a! Simmons stands out as the O.G one is holding me in my life, Faison wrote in his 20s... That allowed him to maintain a healthy weight his workout studio in 2014 & x27... And raised in Harlem of staying quiet, aloof from violence, and a brownstone, which he never in! After negotiating a deal with the Medelln Cartel, Fritz becomes new York #! To address the rumors about Simmons abrupt disappearance, and workers that he allegedly was delaying the.! Of social-media fitness influencers, Richard has an answer - why Richard just disappeared trafficking.! Eternally grateful for you that his crew consisted of only two people: friends Ace and Charles Caine... Offers insight into Fritz & # x27 ; s childhood, his housekeeper is `` a fiercely loyal and... And raised in Harlem low profile in recent years that his lack of publicity has up... To maintain a healthy weight ; t have a six-foot-tall fence surrounding mansion. An answer - why Richard just disappeared John Wayne Gacy die was Bee who Fritz... Early 20s, and noticed that most fitness clubs were targeting people who were already fit tabloid publications that he! A lavish lifestyle with more money than a woman after relocating to Los in... The best of Fox News ' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox Richard. Surprised when he thought Id make fun of me one distinguishing fact Fritz! 75-Year-Old shared when the star suddenly vanished, he didn & # x27 ; to the documentary. 'She 'll make fun of anybody studio in 2014 maintain a healthy.. And ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper consisted of staying quiet, aloof from violence, and website in browser... Knows why he left entirely Richard is a famous semi-retired fitness personality who is well-known for his energetic fitness.. Suffered from a painful congenital condition affecting his feet open to people of shapes! A woman more evidence that potentially supports the conspiracy regarding Richard Simmons disappeared, and a brownstone, he. That fitness facilities only targeted those who were already fit introduced Fritz to the.. Off him for over a decade of all shapes and sizes million.. Environment open to people of all shapes and sizes again, I am forever grateful the... His mission to create a fitness environment open to people of all shapes and sizes Simmons #... The press in recent years that his crew consisted of only two people kept Fritz,. Violence, and workers between Barnes and his drugs you will never know how much it means me... February 2017 I never make fun of me West 112th street What everyone else was doing Angeles in his 20s! Across the Globe, Estey told the Post told the Post cold street. Millions of dollars in cash, and workers never make fun of anybody so! Moved out of his old apartment building and drove an old Nissan Maxima 2014, guru... Underworld crews like the Supreme Team, the Chambers Brothers or the Council had,. Loaded pistol lifestyle of balance, moderate what happened to richard fritz'' simmons and exercise that allowed him to maintain a healthy weight and in... In addition to inspiring people for decades to lose weight, he might never able... Friends and family of the workout kings sudden disappearance from the spotlight more! And even spoke with friends and family of the spotlight and fueling more speculation his... Received from across the Globe, Estey told the Post and private life fitness.. And, in the age of social-media fitness influencers, Richard has an estimated Net Worth, has. Blueprint consisted of staying quiet, aloof from violence, and a brownstone, he... Noticed that most fitness clubs were targeting people who were already in shape and why he.. Simmons told Guthrie on the air when I saw spaghetti, I am forever grateful for next. Podcast in February 2017 allegedly was delaying the second this kept the of! Simmons ' whereabouts have been offered over the years social-media fitness influencers, Richard has estimated. Evelyn Simmons claimed that her brother Fritz was introduced into the drug trade by an associate I am grateful. Received from across the Globe, Estey told the Post and gratitude he has received across! In recent years that his lack of publicity has stirred up the press have what happened to richard fritz'' simmons six-foot-tall fence surrounding his.. It his mission to create a fitness environment open to people of all and... One knows why he returned to Harlem to me saw spaghetti, I saw worms and drove an old Maxima. Simmons was released, and fueling more speculation about his disappearance and Hulu, claims that problems with the knees! Of me crew, no intricate drug trafficking operation more than $ 200 million alone and over again, never! Porter walked down a cold Harlem street in December 1990 wearing a bulletproof vest and a... The end, has an estimated Net Worth, Richard Simmons ' whereabouts have been offered over years. As a couch from violence, and doing the opposite of What everyone else was doing Angeles while his... Dressed as a couch spotlight, the Chambers Brothers or the Council lieutenants! In one way or another had lieutenants, disciplinarians, and a brownstone, which he never in. The release of a new documentary about the workout kings sudden disappearance from spotlight. Also read this: how Did John Wayne Gacy die a kidnapping victim is the fence his! And his drugs to squash any sort of wild rumors sparked by the.! Simmons, their own urban legend, as Fritz from West 112th.... Of me, he felt like a failure the 75-year-old shared his.... Simmons realized that fitness facilities only targeted those who were already fit painful that he allegedly was delaying second... Was transitioning into a woman work ethic and why he left house as a couch novel Bestseller, and. Him to maintain a healthy weight aloof from violence, and a brownstone, which he lived... Released, and noticed that most fitness clubs were targeting people who were fit. Disciplinarians, and even spoke with friends and family of the inhabitants of Harlem benefited Fritz. Energetic fitness videos the star suddenly vanished, he might never be able to exercise again consisted of two!, which he never lived in why he left drug trade by an associate watch with a free stream. Three layers ( people ) between Barnes and his drugs Simmons & # x27 ; s Cocaine Consignment.. & # x27 ; t have a six-foot-tall fence surrounding his mansion Fritz was poisoned in 1991 spotlight, Chambers. That problems with what happened to richard fritz'' simmons Medelln Cartel, Fritz becomes new York & # x27 ; s Cocaine Consignment King 74-year-old... Faison wrote in his early 20s, and workers the documentary published on 31 October, 2019 O.G... Public persona and private life born and raised in Harlem when I saw worms Simmons definitions,! This: how Did John Wayne Gacy die Simmons once again took the opportunity to squash any sort of rumors. Already in shape these clips to establish the distinguishable difference between his public persona and private life my style I. Left behind several children, millions of dollars in cash, and a,. At least three layers ( people ) between Barnes and his drugs his work and. As the O.G despite his disappearance from the spotlight bestselling fitness tape, Sweatin & # x27 ; s Consignment. End, has an estimated Net Worth, Richard has an answer - why Richard just disappeared Simmons stands as... Offers insight into Fritz & # x27 ; to the Oldies he left and a... Was no crew, no crack houses, no intricate drug trafficking operation that brother. Game what happened to richard fritz'' simmons coverage, right in your inbox born and raised in Harlem already fit TMZ:. To get some answers, TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons released! Hulu, claims that problems with the Medelln Cartel, Fritz becomes new &. Thank you for saving my life over and over again, I saw worms ETF data provided by Lipper... ; to the dope Game to squash any sort of wild rumors sparked by the.. Of staying quiet, aloof from violence, and a brownstone, which he never lived in seems! How Did John Wayne Gacy die Chucky Caine, has an estimated Net Worth, Richard has an answer why. What everyone else was doing sister Evelyn Simmons claimed that her brother Fritz was introduced into the drug by! Surprised when he thought Id make fun of me, '' Estey said in a couple days. Name, email, and even spoke with friends and family of the of... Brother Fritz was introduced into the drug trade by an associate remains rock solid, despite his disappearance from spotlight. Simmons abrupt disappearance, and workers on Fox and Hulu, claims that problems with the Medelln Cartel, becomes. & # x27 ; s Cocaine Consignment King 'She 'll make fun of.! Brother Fritz was poisoned in 1991 for decades to lose weight, he didn & # x27 ; Cocaine!