The careers of Dr. Ruth Westheimer and Richard Simmons frequently crossed paths
Just hours after the news today (July 13, 2024) of the passing yesterday of sex therapist and TV talk show host Dr. Ruth Westheimer at age 96, word arrived that fitness and TV personality Richard Simmons had also died, a day after his 76th birthday. The careers of two of the more unlikely public figures and trailblazers intersected from time-to-time during the height of their popularity in the ’80s and ’90s.
The diminutive—she was 4′ 7″—”Dr. Ruth” as she was affectionately called, was a Holocaust survivor, who became a celebrity relatively late in life in 1980 when she started a radio call-in show, Sexually Speaking, at age 52. In the ensuing decade, she parlayed the program’s breakout success with a syndicated TV show dispensing sexual advice to her millions of fans. Dozens of books, TV and film appearances, and magazine covers, including People and TV Guide, quickly followed.
Simmons overcame childhood obesity—he weighed 268 pounds when he graduated high school in his native New Orleans—by adopting a lifestyle of balance, moderate eating and balance. After moving to Los Angeles, he looked (unsuccessfully) for a health club that wasn’t for people who were already in shape. In 1974, after consulting with doctors and nutritionists to ensure the safety of a program tailored to the needs of everyone, from the overweight and obese, to seniors and the physically challenged, Simmons established an innovative facility where the overweight of the world were welcomed with open arms, a studio called SLIMMONS in Beverly Hills. Its success led to a television series, The Richard Simmons Show, which aired from 1980 to 1984. The simultaneous popularity of aerobics soon led to a hugely successful line of fitness videos from the frizzy-haired personality.
The pair received tributes that spanned a variety of observers and friends. Just a day earlier, Simmons had tweeted his thanks to his fans for their birthday wishes.
Thank you…I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday.
Love,
Richard— Richard Simmons (@TheWeightSaint) July 12, 2024
In her tribute to Simmons, Jane Fonda, who also starred in a series of best-selling exercise videos, wrote “I hope he felt the love so many were sending him these last years. I hope it made him happy.”
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Always loved Dr. Ruth. Going to miss her a lot. She always made us smile. Sending love to her family and thanks for everything. pic.twitter.com/EBNxWSTUeJ
— Adam Sandler (@AdamSandler) July 13, 2024
I am completely devastated at the loss of @theweightsaint … we’ve done so many shows together, shared so many laughs & hugs, and I considered him a dear friend who changed so many lives over the years #richardsimmons #weightsaint #riprichardsimmons pic.twitter.com/saEak02oB6
— Sally Jessy Raphael (@SJRaphael) July 13, 2024
Today, we mourn the loss of Dr. Ruth, a longtime New Yorker and friend of parks, who fought for @FortTryon_Park and the parks of northern Manhattan with the same fire and humor that she displayed in life. pic.twitter.com/7wHEvyVJXl
— NYC Parks (@NYCParks) July 13, 2024
I just got word like everyone else that the beautiful Richard Simmons has passed. I hope you’re at peace and twinkling up in the heavens. Please give my mother Mitzi and my father Sammy a big hug and a kiss for me. You’re one of a kind, Richard. An amazing life. An amazing story.… pic.twitter.com/gM1650BWnK
— Pauly Shore (@PaulyShore) July 13, 2024
Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Renowned Sex Therapist, Dead at 96 https://t.co/IbLbitwg3O
— People (@people) July 13, 2024
Richard Simmons preached exercise, diet and most of all kindness. He positively impacted thousands and thousands of lives. I’m one of the hundreds and hundreds of TV people who basked in his energy and readily accepted those crazy hugs. Rest well. pic.twitter.com/rm7TOB9Wfp
— Richard Roeper (@RichardERoeper) July 13, 2024
Related: Musicians and celebrities we’ve lost in 2024
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