Richard Simmons' Friends Speak Out About His Situation

Fitness trainer Richard Simmons spent most of his career in the spotlight, whether you wanted to witness his antics or not. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Simmons was possibly the most famous fitness personality, known for his frizzy hair, short shorts, and outspoken nature.

It’s no surprise when celebrities enjoy their retirement by staying out of the spotlight, but one filmmaker took matters into his own hands to explore why Simmons has been reclusive for the last two years.

Videos by PopCulture.com

Dan Taberski claims he was close friends with Simmons, having gone to his house for dinner on multiple occasions and even beginning to develop plans for a documentary about the fitness icon. However, when Simmons stopped returning phone calls and making public appearances, Taberski developed theories that something more bizarre could be happening than just enjoying retirement.

Scroll down to see Simmons’ friend reveal exactly how Simmons is doing, regardless of speculation about his whereabouts.

[H/T TMZ]

Coping with Surgery

Considering how active Simmons has been throughout most of his life, having to focus on self-care in the aftermath of an invasive surgery could lead one to stay cooped up indoors. When a friend dropped by Simmons’ house to deliver some flowers, that’s exactly why she says Simmons has kept to himself.

The friend confirms he isn’t bed-ridden and he isn’t in a bad place emotionally, just that his physical health isn’t what is used to be. The woman in the video, who goes by “Denise,” explains that Simmons is “perfect” and “happy.”

According to Denise, the two have been friends for 35 years and asks the videographer what it would feel like to be in Simmons’ situation where you weren’t physically capable of doing the things you once could with ease.

You can head to TMZ to see the video of the interaction.

Mysterious Ideas

Despite Simmons’ manager and friends revealing there’s nothing more to the story than Simmons having to undergo surgery, Taberski’s podcast hinted at much more bizarre explanations for his disappearance.

With Simmons having regularly appeared at his fitness club to teach classes before becoming a no-show for three years, Taberski hypothesized that Simmons might have had some sort of mental breakdown.

One of the theories for the breakdown tied into Simmons’ pet dalmatians, of which he had many. Knowing how long the fitness icon had owned his dogs for, the theory was that the last of his dogs had finally passed away and the impact was so severe on Simmons, he spiraled into a depression that he couldn’t escape.

Simmons Held Captive

Another theory that Taberski explored, that was much more nefarious, was that he was being held captive in his own home by his maid.

One of the pieces of evidence Taberski pointed to that could have demonstrated Simmons was being held captive was when police were called to Simmons’ residence to investigate claims of elder abuse.

Throughout the Missing Richard Simmons podcast, Taberski interviewed a supposed close friend of Simmons who revealed their suspicions that the maid was attempting to control the celebrity’s life, with the reports of elder abuse stemming from the friend’s theories.

The friend so thoroughly believed in this idea that they wrote a children’s story, available as an e-book, that chronicled a prince who was held captive by a witch, with many references to Simmons’ life.