Richard Simmons, television’s hyperactive court jester of physical fitness who built a mini-empire in his trademark tank tops and short shorts by urging the overweight to exercise and eat better, died Saturday, according to The Associated Press (AP).

Simmons, who turned 76 on Friday, died at his home in Los Angeles, his publicist Tom Estey said in an email to AP. He reportedly gave no further details.

The AP reported that the Los Angeles police and fire departments say they responded to a house — whose address the AP has matched with Simmons through public records — where a man was declared dead from natural causes.

Simmons, who had revealed a skin diagnosis in March 2024, had lately dropped out of sight, sparking speculating about his health and well-being, according to the AP.

His death was first reported by TMZ.

A former 268-pound teen, Simmons gained fame sharing his hard-won weight-loss tips as host of the Emmy-winning daytime “Richard Simmons Show” and author of best-selling books and the diet plan Deal-A-Meal.

He also opened exercise studios and starred exercise videos, including the wildly successful “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” line, which became a cultural phenomenon, the AP reported.