Richard Simmons speaks out amid shocking doc explaining his absence from the spotlight

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Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines 8/23

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Richard Simmons left the public spotlight more than eight years ago, and he’s thanking fans for their support.

On Wednesday, the fitness guru took to his Facebook page and shared a photo of a smiling emoji holding a thank you sign. The post came after FOX aired "TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons" on Monday night. The special explored his rise to stardom and surprising departure from the public eye. It featured interviews with Denise Austin and Suzanne Somers, as well as pal Bruce Vilanch and Simmons’ longtime costume designer Leslie Wilshire.

"Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and love!" captioned the 74-year-old with a heart. "Love, Richard."

After decades in the limelight, Simmons suddenly stopped teaching at his workout studio in 2014 and has retreated from public life altogether. His disappearance sparked a podcast titled "Missing Richard Simmons," as well as numerous conspiracy theories alleging he was being held hostage in his Hollywood Hills home by his housekeeper.

RICHARD SIMMONS LEFT THE SPOTLIGHT FOR THIS REASON, DOC CLAIMS: ‘HE'S JUST NOT THE SAME GUY ANYMORE’

Richard Simmons thanked his fans for their support on Facebook. (Scott Roth/FilmMagic)

In 2017, Simmons sued two tabloid publications that alleged he was transitioning into a woman. Attorneys for Simmons have said he supports transgender rights, but the allegations have defamed him.

According to the doc, there’s a surprisingly simple reason why Simmons retreated from the spotlight.

"Doctors told him back in 2014, around the time he disappeared, that he needed a left knee replacement," the doc alleged. "And if he didn’t get one, he might never be able to exercise again. Now, this is key to the disappearance of Richard Simmons. The prospect of surgery, of becoming sedentary, caused Richard to sink into a deep depression… We know still to this day Richard still hasn’t gotten corrective surgery on his left knee. He walks with a cane and that explains a lot. He’s just not the same guy anymore."

In 2014, eight months after Simmons left the public eye, TMZ claimed that the star had "two bad knees." His operation on the first was so painful that he allegedly was delaying the second.

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Numerous conspiracy theories concerning Richard Simmons' whereabouts have been offered over the years. (Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)

In 2017, a woman alleging to have known Simmons for 35 years told the outlet that knee problems have kept Simmons in "virtual hiding."

The documentary claimed that Simmons delayed his second surgery because he was worried about being able to bounce back after the procedure and whether it would worsen any ailments.

"He wanted to be remembered as a vibrant, healthy man," the doc asserted, "not an elderly man with medical problems. Richard wanted to retreat before his image was recast as an old man. And his knee problems were a huge factor in his decision… He had a right knee replacement a few years back. And still needed a left one. He was in a lot of pain."

The special also alleged that there is one LAPD detective, who didn’t want to be identified, who has talked to Simmons over the years. According to him, Simmons "doesn’t want to be remembered as this frail, old guy. He wanted to be remembered as a guy that millions of people loved and watched. That’s why he disappeared."

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Katy Perry and Richard Simmons attend the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center in New York on Aug. 25, 2013. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for MTV)

Simmons was compared to Greta Garbo, the Oscar-nominated star of the 1930s who was fiercely protective of her privacy. She retired at age 35 and moved to New York City, where she led a private life until her death in 1990 at age 84. The special shared that "the Richard who disappeared is more authentically himself" than his "loud" persona.

"He has cleverly figured out ways to live in plain sight," it alleged. "He’s given up public life entirely… Richard is a master of disguise."

Still, Simmons has endured some heartache. Pals shared that his beloved eight Dalmatians have passed away over the years. His last dog died at age 17. Still, his housekeeper is "a fiercely loyal employee and friend."

A spokesperson for Simmons told Fox News Digital on Tuesday they had no comment about the allegations made in the doc.

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Richard Simmons, a beloved fitness guru, was a talk show fixture at the height of his career. (Moses Robinson/Getty Images)

In 2021, Simmons revealed that he hoped a new generation of fans would be introduced to his classic exercise series, "Sweatin’ to the Oldies." At the time, it was announced that Fuse Sweat, a streaming channel, would include Simmons’ show in its line of programming.

"I am very excited that my groundbreaking fitness series of ‘Sweatin’ to the Oldies’ still is so relevant and popular and I hope many new fans will discover this timeless classic," he said in a statement.

“TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons” will stream for free on Tubi starting Aug. 30.