Legendary fitness guru Richard Simmons has died.
Representatives confirmed Simmons' death to ABC News on Saturday, reporting that the Los Angeles Police Department had responded to a call from his housekeeper on Saturday morning. When officers arrived at his LA home, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
No foul play is suspected and authorities believe Simmons to have died from natural causes.
The news came a day after the TV star had celebrated his birthday on Friday 12 July. The most recent posts on his Facebook page thanked fans for their birthday wishes.
"Thank you," he shared on Friday. "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."
Simmons alarmed fans earlier this year when he posted via his Facebook page that he was dying in a series of cryptic posts. He later clarified, "I am not dying. It was a message about saying how we should embrace every day that we have. Sorry for this confusion."
Days later, Simmons confirmed that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer.
Born in New Orleans in 1948, Simmons was known for his flamboyant personality, which helped him promote his weight-loss programmes and aerobics video series, Sweatin' to the Oldies.
He became more widely known through various television appearances. Simmons was 76.
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