At the age of 96, we’ve learned Jack LaLanne died Sunday at his home in Morro Bay, California of respiratory failure.

For decades, fitness pioneer Jack LaLanne encouraged millions of Americans to lose weight, eat a healthy diet and get in shape long before fitness became as commonplace as it is now.

Read on for a look back at Jack LaLanne’s career!

Jack LaLanne was the real deal and practiced what he preached. He believed that staying fit and eating healthy were both key to having a long life. He shared his knowledge and inspired Americans on the long-running The Jack LaLanne Show which debuted on San Francisco’s KGO-TV in 1951 and then ran on ABC until 1985.

In addition to his TV fame, the fitness guru penned several books including Live Young Forever which was released to commemorate his 95th birthday. Jack LaLanne dedicated his life to transforming the lives of others and was quoted as saying, “The only way you can hurt the body is not to use it. Inactivity is the killer and, remember, it’s never too late.”

LaLanne also pushed his own limits. In 1957 when he was 43, he performed over 1,000 push-ups in 23 minutes on a show called You Asked For It. Then, at 60, he swam from Alcatraz Island to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco while handcuffed, shackled and towing a boat. At 70, he completed a similar swim in Long Beach harbor.

Elaine LaLanne, Jack’s wife, released a statement:

I have not only lost my husband and a great American icon, but the best friend and most loving partner anyone could ever hope for.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine, his two sons, Dan and Jon, and daughter, Yvonne.

Here’s an infomercial of Jack LaLanne promoting the Jack LaLanne Juicer:

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