Richard Simmons‘ brother compared him to Clark Kent in a touching speech at the celebration of life on Saturday.
Leonard Simmons remembered his brother, the late fitness guru, at a memorial service held at the St. Louis Cathedral in his hometown of New Orleans.
In a video obtained by TMZ, he spoke about Richard’s trademark look with his iconic tank top and workout shorts.
He also revealed ‘a little secret,’ which he said ‘not too many people know’ about his late brother.
He said that his brother was much like Clark Kent and Superman in the idea that always wore his superhero attire underneath his civilian clothes.
Richard Simmons’ brother compared him to Clark Kent in a touching speech at the celebration of life on Saturday
Leonard Simmons remembered his brother, the late fitness guru, at a memorial service held at the St. Louis Cathedral in his hometown of New Orleans on Saturday; pictured August 2013 in New York City
‘Just like Clark Kent underneath his beautiful things that he was wearing, his clothing, [Richard] is wearing a tank top and shorts,’ he said as he seemingly alluded to the clothes he was buried in.
‘Why, you ask?’ Lenny continued. ‘Because we think that God has another plan for him.’
He continued: ‘And we want to make sure that he was going to be in his normal costume that we all know and love to help the saints and the angels get into shape.’
He also said his brother is now watching over his loved ones and all of his fans.
The iconic fitness guru ‘will forever be sweating with the Holies,’ Leonard added.
‘So I’m here to say to you that even though he’s not here and I know he’s in spirit here tonight, Richard Simmons will forever be sweating with the Holies,’ Leonard said as he concluded his eulogy at the memorial mass. ‘Thank you so much for coming.’
Leonard said that only about eight people were present at the private funeral, but the public celebration of life in New Orleans had a large turnout as many fans showed up at the memorial service dressed like him.
The television personality, who achieved prominence through his Sweatin’ to the Oldies line of aerobics workout videos, died at the age of 76 on July 13, 2024 in Los Angeles.
His death was ‘accidental,’ a family spokesperson revealed in August.
He was found at his Hollywood Hills home by his longtime housekeeper, one day after celebrating his 76th birthday.
‘Just like Clark Kent underneath his beautiful things that he was wearing, his clothing, [Richard] is wearing a tank top and shorts,’ he said as he seemingly alluded to the clothes he was buried in; pictured 1992 in Los Angeles
He also said his brother is now watching over his loved ones and all of his fans. The iconic fitness guru ‘will forever be sweating with the Holies,’ he said about Richard; pictured June 2013 in West Hollywood
The television personality died at the age of 76 on July 13, 2024 in Los Angeles; pictured June 2006 in New York City
He was known for his Sweatin’ to the Oldies line of aerobics workout videos
The Los Angeles Coroner’s office concluded that his death was ‘due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor.’
Per the toxicology report, he was not taking any other medication besides what he had been prescribed.
The Los Angeles Police Department concluded that there was no foul play involved.
Earlier reports said that Simmons had fallen in his home on July 12, after feeling dizzy, and that the exercise icon had told his housekeeper he would possibly seek medical care the next day, if he still felt ill.