RICHARD SIMMONS, R.I.P.

I literally dropped my phone when I saw the news the other day that old school exercise guru Richard Simmons had died. Just the day before I had read that it was Richard’s seventy-sixth birthday! The article said that that he was actually celebrating in some way. All seemed to be getting better in his life. I was so happy for him thinking that it might have meant that he was coming out of his recent reclusiveness a bit.

Richard Simmons in 2013.

For a long while, I had been regretting that I had not been able to get over to him to say hi the last time I saw him at a big party, just about a decade ago. I actually almost hadn’t recognized Richard that night because he was rocking purple hair, and he was in a suit, (albeit a lavender one,) instead of his regular work-out clothing that he had worn in public ever since he had become famous. At the soiree, he was chatting with several people when I spotted him on my way out, and I didn’t want to interrupt them. I always thought that I’d see him again soon since both of us were big party people. So the article about his birthday the other day gave me hope that I still had time to correct that oversight. Having known each other somewhat back in the day, I’ve always felt that I could help him these days.

Of course, I had always known who he was, but I was surprised when I learned that he was a fan of my show, Karen’s Restaurant Revue. I found that out at a party back then. Richard bounced over to me, introduced himself, (like he even needed an introduction, right?,) and in true Richard Simmons style, declared himself to be one of my biggest fans. We had a giggle or two, and, because I was very skinny back then, and therefore didn’t need his weight-loss workout services, I assumed that was it for knowing the fitness star personally.

So I was really happy when I learned that he had requested me to be a part of a segment that he was doing on a national telethon. I was thrilled to join him, of course.

Richard Simmons.

Richard led a bunch of us young TV personalities in an exercise routine, choreographed to music that made us look like we were tap dancing. It was tons of fun, and the best part to me, (other than that we were helping a charity,) was Richard’s introduction of me. He introduced the other girls, (who were all much more famous than I was,) just by their names, with no special fanfare, but when it came to me, he shouted in his inimitable way, “And now we have the most fabulously LA restaurant critic, Karen Salkin!” I was just shocked that he even knew my full name! (I, of course, was aware by then that he watched my show, but many other people who also tuned-in often referred to me as just “Karen,” not remembering my last name, or even more often, as simply “that girl on TV!”) And I was emotionally attached to him ever after.

He was darling to me off-camera, as well. So I always think of him fondly, and would have loved to be able to offer him some caring friendship in these past few years of struggle for him, if only I could have gotten in touch. (I never think to bother anybody on social media, and, until his death notices shared a message he had posted the day before, I would never have even thought that Richard Simmons would be on any of the platforms. And besides, through his rep he had made it clear publicly that he wanted to be left alone in the past few years.)

I just hope that he was living a happy life, although in solitude, before he passed.

R.I.P., Richard Simmons. I’m sure you’ll be getting everyone moving wherever your soul has landed now.