Who was Rita Hollingsworth? Veteran Hollywood publicist dies at 61
Veteran Hollywood publicist Rita Hollingsworth, renowned for her work with industry icons and philanthropy, has passed away at the age of 61. Who was Rita Hollingsworth? Rita Hollingsworth (x/@hollywoodshare) Rita Hollingsworth, a distinguished Hollywood publicist and communications strategist, breathed her last at 61 due to an intracerebral brain hemorrhage on November 16 at Keck Hospital…
Veteran Hollywood publicist Rita Hollingsworth, renowned for her work with industry icons and philanthropy, has passed away at the age of 61.
Who was Rita Hollingsworth?
Rita Hollingsworth, a distinguished Hollywood publicist and communications strategist, breathed her last at 61 due to an intracerebral brain hemorrhage on November 16 at Keck Hospital of USC, as confirmed by her husband, Jeff Hollingsworth. Known for her significant contributions to the entertainment industry, Rita co-founded RMH Media in 1995 alongside her husband, leaving an indelible mark.
Beginning her career at The Lee Solters Co., Rita’s clientele included luminaries like Barbra Streisand, Robert Altman, Michael Jackson, and philanthropic entities like Carousel of Hope and the Race to Erase MS. At RMH Media, she played a pivotal role in elevating films by Alan Rudolph, Robert Altman, and Chen Kaige, garnering festival and market attention.
Born in East Los Angeles in 1962 and raised in Whittier, Rita earned a bachelor’s degree from Whittier College and pursued a double master’s degree in Japanese language and diplomacy from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Her studies led her to Tokyo, where she mastered the language and conducted research on cultural exchange’s positive impact on international relations.
In the early 1990s, Rita took leadership roles in civil rights organizations, actively opposing anti-Asian hate and media bias. Her commitment to nonprofit work included roles with organizations such as the Angelus Student Film Festival, the Anthony & Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation, Foster Care Counts, artworxLA, and St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.
Rita Hollingsworth’s legacy spans her impactful contributions to the entertainment industry, civil rights advocacy, and nonprofit endeavors. Survived by her husband, her cat Dom, her dog Auggie, and a close-knit group of extended family and friends, Rita leaves behind a lasting influence on those who had the privilege of knowing and working with her.
