News | Entertainment
18 Feb 2026 7:16
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Richard Simmons has been laid to rest in a private funeral

    The fitness guru was found dead in his Los Angeles home last weekend, just one day after his 76th birthday and on Friday (19.07.24), his family held a private ceremony and burial at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary, according to TMZ.


    His brother Lenny told PEOPLE: "Our beloved Dicky was laid to rest this morning surrounded by only family and closest friends. We pray for your continued love and support during this very difficult time."

    TMZ previously reported that Richard fell in his bathroom the night before he died. His housekeeper reportedly urged him to seek medical attention but he refused "because he just wanted to stay home for his birthday".

    The outlet added that the housekeeper helped him back to bed but found him unresponsive on the floor the next morning.

    He had reportedly been feeling dizzy before the fall.

    Richard was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Shortly after news of Richard's death broke, his brother Lenny insisted he didn't want people to be "sad" about his passing and would prefer his life to be "celebrated" instead.

    He told PEOPLE: "I don't want people to be sad about my brother.

    "I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people's lives. He truly cared about people. He called, wrote and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help. So don't be sad. Celebrate his life.

    "He was very excited about all of his upcoming ventures he was working on. We are in shock. Please respect the family at this difficult time."

    The wellness expert's passing is being investigated by the LA Medical Examiner's Office, but the city's fire department believe it was due to natural causes.

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     18 Feb: Will Smith gifted Jada Pinkett Smith life-size pillows of their blended family for Valentine's Day
     18 Feb: Sharon Osbourne has marked her first Valentine's Day without Ozzy Osbourne
     17 Feb: Leslie Grossman and Sascha Penn are married
     17 Feb: Keke Palmer is "more intentional" with her work and time since becoming a mom
     17 Feb: Harry Styles learnt "how to slow down" on his career break
     17 Feb: Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo's sex life is better now that he is not "so big"
     17 Feb: Tyler Perry broke his collarbone in a "terrible" bike fall
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Irish rugby to investigate racial abuse towards Test debutant Edwin Edogbo More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    New Zealand lamb is still a premium product in the UK, 144 years since the first shipment of 5000 carcasses sailed out of Port Chalmers in 1882 More...



     Today's News

    Living & Travel:
    Support for changes to dog control laws following a deadly dog attack in Northland 7:07

    Entertainment:
    Will Smith gifted Jada Pinkett Smith life-size pillows of their blended family for Valentine's Day 6:57

    Law and Order:
    A woman's on trial in Nelson, accused of medically abusing her child 6:47

    Entertainment:
    Sharon Osbourne has marked her first Valentine's Day without Ozzy Osbourne 6:27

    International:
    The Missing number in the hundreds of thousands in Syria, where mass graves of torture victims are found weekly 4:37

    Entertainment:
    Leslie Grossman and Sascha Penn are married 21:57

    Politics:
    Labour's Jan Tinetti says today's employment law change is a backwards step 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Keke Palmer is "more intentional" with her work and time since becoming a mom 21:27

    Living & Travel:
    Second-placed Auckland FC look to close the gap on leaders Newcastle tonight in the A-League 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Harry Styles learnt "how to slow down" on his career break 20:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd