With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
LaLanne's Hollywood connection shines at his memorial
A young Jack LaLanne. The godfather of physical fitness died of pneumonia on January 23,2011. He was 96 years old.
(
Patricia Nazario
)
Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has a few words with Jack LaLanne's widow, Elaine LaLanne, at the fitness guru's memorial service on Feb. 1, 2011.
(
Patricia Nazario/KPCC
)
Listen
1:36
LaLanne's Hollywood connection shines at his memorial
LaLanne's Hollywood connection shines at his memorial
Family, friends, celebrities and people who never met Jack LaLanne are remembering the man who seemed to be immortal.
"Been watching Jack since the ‘60’s… watched him since the ‘60s,” said Elsa English, a 62-year-old retired Los Angeles public school worker, who was among the established Hollywood set at Forest Lawn paying tribute to LaLanne.
The Glendale resident says she darted over to the cemetery by Griffith Park after a morning dental appointment.
“I mean, I love the man. He’s been a part of my life for a very long time.”
Sponsored message
English says her mother passed on, but her 84-year-old father still goes to the gym almost daily.
“…and that’s probably contributed by Jack… watching Jack on television,” she said.
LaLanne’s Hollywood connection shined at his memorial. Richard Simmons says he came to pay tribute to a legend.
“…to someone who influenced me and made me a better person (voice cracks)” said Simmons. “It’s um…. It’s pretty upsetting…”
Forbes Riley appears with LaLanne on the infomercials for his power juicer that’s still on the air all over the world. She says she celebrated LaLanne’s last six birthdays with him and his family and was looking forward to his centennial.
“…and this is a very, very sad occasion,” Riley said.
LaLanne’s son Jon also fought back his emotions.
Sponsored message
“I, looking for inside the bubble, and now I’m seeing what a great father I have… and had,” he said.
Family, friends and fans remembering the visionary who introduced the world to the benefits of working out.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
