How Old Is Richard Simmons?... (and other Important Questions Answered)

By Sam Brand Posted Jan 6th 2010 08:31PM

He's young enough to run around like a lunatic fit freak on live TV. And old enough to be releasing his 59^th workout video. Richard Simmons (Queen Latifah, too) appeared on 'Ellen' on Wednesday to twist, shout, sweat, sell videos to the world, and prove that the fitness icon is very much alive and flamboyantly kicking. But who does this guy think he is, where on earth did he come from, and, really... how old is he?

61 years old. A simple Google query will tell you that. But it sure seems like he's been around a lot longer. Maybe that's because his workout videos surfaced in the early '80s, about the same time as Jane Fonda's vids, though Fonda is a decade older.

Or maybe it's because Simmons is so prolific. The New York Times says his latest videos "Sweating to the Oldies 5" and "Toning to the Oldies" are his 58^th and 59^th videos. He's released over a dozen books - his autobiography Still Hungry After All These Years: My Story is required reading for any true Simmons fan. He's got dozens of inspirational audio recordings, available in every obsolete format except 4-track. And after all these years, he's still pumping out material at a strenuous pace.

Or maybe Simmons seems old because, well, he's the only 61-year-old bounding across daytime TV in outdated short shorts and a sequined tank top.

If anyone has proved age ain't nothin' but a number, it's Simmons. Of all the workout gurus who found fame during the '80s fitness craze, Richard Simmons is the only one still leading aerobic classes for ordinary Joe's and Jane's. You can find him in front of the class at his Hollywood gym Slimmons several times a week.

The only Jane sweating for Fonda nowadays is the one in the mirror.

Since graduating high school tipping the scales at 268 pounds, Simmons has been a man on the move. He relocated from his native New Orleans to New York City and then to Los Angeles in the 1970s, where he slimmed down to as few as 145 pounds.

123 pounds isn't much by today's 'The Biggest Loser' standards, but Simmons was intent on avoiding fad diets, living a well-rounded life, and keeping the weight off.

His simple regimen (lots of activity and eating well) has worked for himself and millions of his followers. They keep following him. And he's kept you guessing.

Just don't ask if Richard Simmons is gay. 'The Drew Carey Show's' Kathy Kinney "outted" Simmons on 'The Rosie O'Donnell Show' several years ago. Rosie famously cut straight to commercial.

Richard Simmons' age might be out in the open, but his sexual orientation is still very much a secret. Well, sorta.

Tags: drew carey, DrewCarey, ellen, ellen degeneres, EllenDegeneres, how old is richard simmons, HowOldIsRichardSimmons, jane fonda, JaneFonda, kathy kinney, KathyKinney, richard simmons, RichardSimmons

Comments

(55)

Wednesday 06 January

By leroy

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Fairies don`t age..You know like the tooth fairy, Tinkerbell.They stay young forever..UH UH UH YEAHHHH..FIRST AGAIN !! # 1 SO DON`T HATE CUZ I`M ON TOP AGAIN !! UH UH UH

Thursday 07 January

By Whatever,dude

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

DUH DUH DUH DUH...YEAH, STUPID AGAIN!!!! DUH DUH DUH DUH

By Dolita

You're on Top, Leroy???? Richard said you you are a total bottom.

Saturday 09 January

By Messa

Vote down Vote up Report this

I would have killed that dyke if she had jumped out at me like that. Stupid b!tch. You don't do that to 60 some year old men....Gawd, is she a moron?....Don't answer that, I know the answer......YES.

By Skinny Minny

So leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeroyyyyyy where does that leave you? Still playing games like Peter Pan and Tinkerbell??? Your ignoraance is showing, your mother must be hiding in shame that you are hers.

By rene

i have been a fan of richard simmons my whole life he has helped so many people he has really made his lifes work being there for others i think hes an awsome dude!!!!and hes damn funny too i love him!

By Mary

YOU ARE SO RIGHT!!! HE IS A GREAT GUY AND I LOVE HIM!!

By jaynep13

Many years ago, my father met Richard Simmons through something work related. My dad is a very gruff New Yorker type who doesn't 'gush' about people. He said that Richard Simmons was one of the nicest and most sincere people he had ever met in his entire life.

By MrDoughnut

Work related yeh ahuh? Maybe he is a Popeater! Bingo!

By jonny

He is a super salesman , but very annoying visually. Plus making a fortune off people who think he's a fitness expert. He 's outdated and just a lil too chubby to be waering that get up till now....Some people should just know when their fame is over in his case it was over 15 yrs ago...he's so 20yrs ago...quit bro..sit on the yatch and sluk.....

By apdzw

He aint over! He's still making more moeny than you'll ever see in your lifetime! ha! Dont be a hater. Now go to your Kia and sulk.

By d rubio

If he is so over why is he making the money? People talk with their dollars and he keeps being told to keep going. You are not one of them so don't look or listen.

By Carolyn

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Hey, before you go putting people down you should learn to use spell check. Let's see how well you are bouncing around when you are 61 years old, how about you let us all know then, if you are still around.

If he is so over, why do we still see and hear of him? Have you done half in your life what he has done for others? Your jealousie is showing. Now go to your job as a dishwasher..

By theresa

I think he is great. He has helped so many people loose weight. I myself used his CDs after the birth of my twins , that are now 27. He is a wonderful , light hearted person.
KEEP IT UP RICHARD WE LOVE YOU !!!!!!!

By James Munk

I would say Richard has never been in the closet... he just doesn't talk about it but it plain hes GAY

By laricee

those short shorts he wears, he had them on for 30 yrs. god, i bet they smell bad. oh by the way, his age is 142.

By chuckie

My all-time favorite Richard Simmons memory was the night Letterman turned a fire extinguisher on him and chased him all over the stage,

Sorry, I'm sure he has helped many women lose weight, but the guy makes my skin crawl.

By RachelJ

I love Richard! He's so adorable on those videos...at least he genuinely cares about people....he's done a lot of good, and who the eff cares if he is gay or not gay???

By Pat

Gee, are you a little bit of a homophobe chuckie?

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