 Fitness guru and New Orleans native Richard Simmons passed away on Saturday at the age of 76. Simmons was born in New Orleans in 1948 and was an overweight child, but became a cultural phenomenon because of his energetic personality displayed in his exercise videos. Tulane Sports Performance Manager Mackie Shillstone. I think what Richard brought to the table was a charisma, and he tended to motivate people that didn't think that they could do it.