Who was Rita Hollingsworth? Longtime Entertainment Publicist Dead at 61

Esteemed entertainment publicist Rita Hollingsworth, known for her representation of top talents such as Barbra Streisand and Robert Altman throughout her illustrious career, has passed away at the age of 61, as confirmed by her husband Jeff Hollingsworth to TheWrap.

Rita Hollingsworth succumbed to a brain hemorrhage on November 16 at USC’s Keck Hospital. In 1996, she and her husband Jeff co-founded the media relations firm RMH Media, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

During her three-decade-long career, Hollingsworth distinguished herself by handling publicity for a diverse array of high-profile films, musical artists, authors, and organizations. Notable figures in her client roster included Chen Kaige and the Carousel of Hope.

Through RMH Media, Hollingsworth played a key role in promoting acclaimed films such as “Afterglow,” “Cookie’s Fortune,” “Dancing at the Blue Iguana,” “Caught in the Web,” and “Legend of the Demon Cat.”

RMH also proudly represented bestselling author Reyna Grande. Currently, the company is engaged in publicizing upcoming documentaries like “Reimagining Safety” and “Show Her the Money,” with the latter planning a 50-city tour following recent festival success.

Hollingsworth’s dedication extended beyond the entertainment realm, and she took great pride in her work for various nonprofits over the years. Notable organizations she handled PR for included the Angelus Student Film Festival, the Pritzker Family Foundation, Foster Care Counts, artworxLA, and St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, the largest privately funded senior nutrition provider in America, held a special focus for Hollingsworth, who leveraged her expertise to enhance its media strategy, communications, and fundraising events.

Born as Rita Maria Hollingsworth in 1962 in East Los Angeles, she was raised in Whittier. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Whittier College and went on to achieve dual master’s degrees in Japanese language and diplomacy from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.