{"id":2418476,"date":"2026-05-15T18:13:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T18:13:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2418476"},"modified":"2026-05-15T18:13:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T18:13:28","slug":"richard-simmons-was-hurt-by-howard-stern-picking-on-him-with-questions-about-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/richard-simmons-was-hurt-by-howard-stern-picking-on-him-with-questions-about-love\/","title":{"rendered":"Richard Simmons Was Hurt by Howard Stern &#8216;Picking on&#8217; Him with Questions About Love"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\">NEED TO KNOW<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Richard Simmons was a frequent guest on <em>The Howard Stern Show<\/em>, appearing over 60 times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Simmons never married and had a small circle throughout his time in the spotlight<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special<\/em> delves into the complex and mysterious life of the late fitness guru<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/tag\/richard-simmons\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Richard Simmons;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Richard Simmons&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Richard Simmons<\/a> felt hurt by an industry friend in his final appearance on <em>The Howard Stern Show.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In the new special, <em>The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special<\/em>, the journalist and those closest to the fitness enthusiast looked back at his life and the unique struggles he faced.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Sawyer notes that Simmons appeared on the radio show over 60 times throughout the years, but Stern&#8217;s questions during his final appearance seemed to cut deeply.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In a clip included in the special, Stern asks Simmons, &#8220;You are a loving man. I just wonder if you&#8217;ve ever had love in your life? And I don&#8217;t mean that in any comical sense.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for<\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/people-news-daily-newsletter-sign-up-8692701\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:PEOPLE's free daily newsletter;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;PEOPLE'&quot;}\" class=\"link \"><strong> PEOPLE&#8217;s free daily newsletter<\/strong><\/a><strong> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Richard Simmons in 2013<br \/>Credit: Scott Roth\/FilmMagic<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;A lot of love,&#8221; Simmons quietly responds, as Stern asks again, &#8220;Do you know love?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t know why you&#8217;re picking on me today,&#8221; Simmons says defensively, with hurt in his voice. Stern asks, &#8220;Is that picking?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;A little bit. My wonderful housekeeper, Teresa, who has been with me 24 years&#8230;&#8221; Simmons replies, at which point Stern cuts him off and says, &#8220;Yeah, but that&#8217;s someone you pay. Is there anyone that cares about you?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Simmons can be heard fighting tears as he says, &#8220;She does care about me. She loves me very much.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Richard SimmonsCredit: C Flanigan\/FilmMagic\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/7nW3HeJ3fTkQI3HpNAT3Ww--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/2311e8955f50a647e533b74b0534df02\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><i>Richard Simmons<br \/>Credit: C Flanigan\/FilmMagic<\/i><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Simmons&#8217; brother, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/richard-simmons-brother-heartfelt-eulogy-celebration-of-life-8723944\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Lenny Simmons;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Lenny Simmons&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Lenny Simmons<\/a>, noted that the workout enthusiast was &#8220;perhaps somewhat depressed,&#8221; adding, &#8220;[He was] sadder, sadder. He wasn&#8217;t the bouncing off the walls Richard.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Elsewhere in the special, Simmons&#8217; longtime manager, Michael Catalano, noted, &#8220;He felt the love.&#8221; Sawyer replies, &#8220;Until he didn\u2019t,&#8221; to which Catalano adds, &#8220;Then it just got real quiet.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">After decades of starring in workout videos and being a mainstay in Hollywood, Simmons stepped out of public life, choosing to live much of his final decade in seclusion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The professional fitness coach died at his Los Angeles home the day after his 76th birthday in July 2024.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special<\/em> is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Read the original article on <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/richard-simmons-was-hurt-by-howard-stern-picking-on-him-about-love-11975657\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:People;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;People&quot;}\" class=\"link \">People<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEED TO KNOW Richard Simmons was a frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show, appearing over 60 times Simmons never married and had a small circle throughout his time in the spotlight The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special delves into the complex and mysterious life of the late fitness guru Richard Simmons [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2418477,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25177],"tags":[473632,305662,473633,473634,420859],"class_list":["post-2418476","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrities","tag-fitness-enthusiast","tag-howard-stern","tag-lenny-simmons","tag-michael-catalano","tag-richard-simmons"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Richard-Simmons-Was-Hurt-by-Howard-Stern-Picking-on-Him.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2418476","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2418476"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2418476\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2418478,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2418476\/revisions\/2418478"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2418477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2418476"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2418476"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2418476"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}