Richard Simmons Thanks Fans After Disappearance Documentary Airs

Feel the love! Richard SimmonsAfter the incident, he took to social networking to show appreciation to his fans. TMZTelevision broadcast a documentary on his 2014 disappearance.

“Thank you everyone, for your kindness and love! <3. Love, Richard,” the fitness guru, 74, wrote via Facebook on Wednesday, August 24, seemingly in response to the support he’s received following the TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened To Richard SimmonsOn Monday, August 22. 

On Friday, Simmons’ manager Michael Catalano confirmed the post’s authenticity to People. “This was a personal post from Richard. He was touched by the positive reactions to the special, and all the well wishes he received. He was encouraged by the kindness,” he revealed.

While the Louisiana native’s social media account regularly shares workout-related videos, the personal note from Simmons sent fans into a frenzy, flooding his comment section with love and support.

“I’m so proud of you for taking time for yourself. You’ve given so much of yourself to the world, and now it’s your time. Good for you,” one Facebook user wrote, while another said, “We miss you Richard but hope you are doing what is right for you. You have given me so much joy for years, it is your time now, you deserve peace and happiness.”

Fans also shared personal photos of themselves with the celebrity trainer, asking him to be as private as possible.

TMZ’sThe documentary, which aired simultaneously on Fox and Hulu, explores the details of Simmons’ mysterious departure from his studio in February 2014. He was allegedly never seen again in public.

Interviews with special guests Suzanne SomersWriter Bruce Vilanch and Simmons’ longtime costume designer, Leslie Wilshire.

The speculation surrounding the What women want actor’s disappearance was initially sparked by the “Missing Richard Simmons” podcast, which claims that Simmons is being held hostage in his Hollywood Hills home along with other outlandish theories.

Simmons was however, called into the presidency in 2016. Today show to set the record straight. “No one is holding me in my house as a hostage. You know, I do what I want to do as I’ve always done, so people should sort of just believe what I have to say because, like, I’m Richard Simmons!” he explained. “Right now, I just sort of want to take care of me. I just really don’t want to do anything. I don’t want to be traveling anymore … it’s taken a toll on me.”

In 2017, Simmons was hospitalized for “severe indigestion” at an undisclosed location in California. “After a few days of battling severe indigestion and discomfort while eating, we agreed it was best for him to seek treatment,” his rep told ABC News in a statement at the time.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said that after a three-day stay in medical care, he was taken by police back home. Entertainment Tonight. “Richard got into his house safely,” the rep noted, adding that he was greeted by “a bunch of paparazzi” outside his Hollywood Hills mansion.

Simmons took to Facebook at the time to address the issue directly with his fans. “Hello to everyone who has shown concern for me and sent their good wishes,” he wrote. “You will never know how much it means to me. Aren’t you sick of hearing and reading about me?! LOL Well by now you know that I’m not ‘missing,’ just a little under the weather. I’m sure I will be feeling good and back home in a couple of days.”