Entertainment Industry Mourns the Passing of Longtime Publicist, Rita Hollingsworth, at 61
Rita Hollingsworth, a revered publicist with a rich history of representing entertainment clients and contributing to various non-profit organizations, passed away on November 16 in Los Angeles. She was 61. The cause of her death was reported as an intracerebral brain hemorrhage, according to her husband, Jeff Hollingsworth.
During her tenure at the Lee Solters Company, Hollingsworth represented a stellar roster of clients, including luminaries such as Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Liza Minnelli, and Neil Diamond. Her dedication extended to philanthropic endeavors, where she collaborated with the Carousel of Hope and Race to Erase MS alongside Barbara and Nancy Davis.
After founding her own publicity firm, RMH Media, Hollingsworth continued to make a significant impact. She worked closely with esteemed directors like Robert Altman, Mike Figgis, Alan Rudolph, Michael Radford, Tim Hutton, and Chen Kaige, bringing their films to prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Toronto, Sundance, and others.
RMH Media’s client portfolio expanded to include bestselling author Reyna Grande, the Angelus Student Film Festival, the Anthony & Jeannie Pritzker Family Foundation, Foster Care Counts, artworxLA, and St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. Hollingsworth played a key role as a strategist for the latter, contributing to the success of the large senior nutrition program.
Currently, RMH Media is collaborating with filmmaker Matthew Solomon on the documentary “Reimagining Safety” and working with producer Catherine Gray and actress Sharon Gless on their award-winning documentary “Show Her the Money,” slated for a 50-city tour.
Born in East Los Angeles, Hollingsworth earned a BA from Whittier College and a double MA in Japanese Language and Diplomacy from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Her diverse experiences included living in Tokyo, conducting research on cultural exchange, and holding leadership roles in civil rights organizations like MANAA. She organized initiatives with Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition, protesting against anti-Asian hate and media bias targeting companies such as McDonald’s, NBC, and Paramount.
Rita Hollingsworth is survived by her husband and business partner, Jeffrey. The entertainment industry and charitable organizations alike mourn the loss of a dedicated and influential figure.
Rita Hollingsworth, Veteran Hollywood Publicist, Dies at 61 https://t.co/RZMRKeRSQD
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) November 27, 2023