Richard Simmons, who isn’t dying, shares he underwent skin cancer treatment
Ever the subject of cultural fascination, Simmons made a rare public statement regarding a recent skin cancer diagnosis
Photo: Jason Kempin (Getty Images for EGPAF)
Richard Simmons is rarely in the news of his own volition. The famously private exercise enthusiast is usually the subject of a conspiracy theory or death hoax that keeps the fires of social media burning and Mark Zuckerberg’s pockets full. However, in the last few weeks, we’ve heard more from Simmons than usual: “Hi, y’all, thanks for the concern, but I’m fine! I like my quiet life at home these days. Bye.”
That’s changed this year as he’s begun posting on Facebook more frequently, starting his own rumors about his health that he must debunk. After cryptically posting on Facebook, “I am ….dying” earlier this week, then clarifying that he isn’t imminently dying, he then shared another, more recent post that he’s been dealing with a particularly nasty skin cancer diagnosis. After finding a “strange looking bump” under his eye, Simmons traveled to the dermatologist, who told him he had the “the C word.”
“You have cancer,” Simmons wrote. “I asked him what kind of cancer, and he said. Basel [sic] Cell Carcinoma. I told him to stop calling me dirty names. He laughed.”
Simmons said it took three sessions of his doctor burning the cancer cells off his face, which he admits was quite painful. Finally, “third time was a charm.” He writes: