Doc Reveals Why Richard Simmons Left the Spotlight

After a TMZ documentary delved into Richard Simmons' claim to fame and his later in life disappearance, Simmons posted a message on social media thanking fans for their support.

As reported by TMZ, Simmons has been in the public for more than three decades as a flamboyant fitness guru. But he vanished from the spotlight in 2014 after tearfully calling himself a "court jester" in a moment that became the focus of an Entertainment Tonight report.

Soon after, concerns about Simmons being a victim of elder abuse began circulating. However, the recent TMZ documentary "TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons," sheds light on what really has been ailing Simmons.

According to the documentary, Simmons has been holed up in his Hollywood Hills home dealing with a birth defect that left him without a full set of bones in one foot. The defect reportedly cause him lots of pain, causing him to retreat from public life as he has become older.

"Richard found comfort in food and he gained a lot of weight," doc producer Charles Latibeaudiere revealed. "And that put a lot of stress on his knees."

The last known photo of Simmons was snapped in 2017 as he was returning from the hospital. Since then he has made no public appearances.

But as the documentary reveals Simmons' struggles and how he overcame them to become a superstar, fans have been reaching out in support.

On Wednesday, Simmons broke his silence on social media by posting his first message in years to his fans: "Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and love! ❤️ Love, Richard."

"TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons" is streaming now on Hulu.