Inside Richard Simmons’ very private life: Bizarre obsessions, creepy collections… and a stalker-like fixation with A-lister who snubbed him
Inside Richard Simmons’ very private life: Bizarre obsessions, creepy collections… and a stalker-like fixation with A-lister who snubbed him
Publicly, Richard Simmons was known as a vibrant symbol of fitness, celebrated for his bold workout attire and energetic TV routines. Yet, behind closed doors, a different side of the fitness icon emerged, as revealed by Dale Berman, a Los Angeles-based photographer who captured the legendary figure in his Beverly Hills residence in May 1996.
A Ten-Hour Glimpse into a Hidden World
Berman was hired to document Simmons’s home for an editorial in McCall’s, a project that would later resurface exclusively in the Daily Mail. During the lengthy photo session, the fitness personality revealed a strikingly contrasting demeanor—reserved, introspective, and fiercely protective of his personal space.
“Out of all the people I’ve photographed, he was definitely the shyest in the beginning,” Berman shared with the Daily Mail. “He was two different people in the home and out the door.”
Despite his flamboyant public persona, Simmons preferred muted tones and minimal decor, carefully curating his living space with soft hues of peach, cream, blue, and lavender. He insisted on keeping his address confidential, prohibiting any images of the exterior of his home during the shoot.
“He wanted no bright colors, no noisy prints. He had shades of peach, cream, blue, coral and lavender to cover the walls. He was very picky and decorated everything himself,” Berman recounted.
Simmons’s eccentric passions extended far beyond fitness. His home was filled with an impressive array of art dolls, many handcrafted and worth significant sums. These were not just decorations but cherished possessions, with some custom-made exclusively for him.
“The Barbra Streisand one was special and definitely his favorite,” Berman noted. “He said he paid $10,000 to have the 28-inch doll made. It was given a ‘place of honor’ in the living room, and he admitted to being obsessed with her—so much so that he feared she might think he was a stalker.”
A Dalmatian Obsession
Alongside his doll collection, Simmons harbored a deep affection for Dalmatians, evident in the numerous tchotchkes and statuettes that adorned his home. One entire room was dedicated to these creatures, featuring a Dalmatian-print armchair and an apron he wore during the kitchen session.
“He was very private in the beginning,” Berman recalled. “It took an hour before he loosened up and spoke freely. Later, he became talkative and even sang once he felt comfortable with us.”
Following Simmons’s passing in 2024, more than 250 dolls from his collection were auctioned, fetching over $177,000 in total. His penchant for the unusual and the intimate remained a testament to a life lived with equal parts flair and secrecy.
