Advertisement

Photos: Former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan dies at 92

Smiling politicians clasping hands raise their arms in celebration
Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, center, flanked by California Gov. Gray Davis, left, and L.A. developer Eli Broad, celebrates the announcement that the 2000 Democratic National Convention would be held in L.A. at a news conference on March 14, 1999.
(Paul Morse / Los Angeles Times)
Share via

Richard J. Riordan, the take-charge venture capitalist who as mayor shepherded Los Angeles’ rebound from the 1992 riots, expanded its police department and masterminded its recovery from the Northridge earthquake, has died at 92.

Riordan, who served from 1993 to 2001, was the last Republican mayor of what has become a liberal city. Relatives said he died shortly after 7.30 p.m. Wednesday at his Brentwood home with family, friends, caregivers and his beloved dogs around him.

Richard Riordan speaks from a lectern with hardhats and the framework of a building under construction behind him
Campaigning for governor in 2002, former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan appears with construction workers at the future site of the Hyatt Waterfront Hotel in Huntington Beach.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
Richard Riordan pretends to arm wrestle with a man dressed in a Superman suit
Richard Riordan pretends to arm wrestle with Superman street performer Christopher Dennis while campaigning for governor in Hollywood on Nov. 11, 2001.
(Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
Then-L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, center, with former Mayors Antonio Villaraigosa, left, and Richard Riordan
Then-Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, center, watches as former Mayors Antonio Villaraigosa, left, and Richard Riordan greet each other during grand opening celebration for the renovated Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Sept. 18, 2013.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Richard Riordan leads a meeting with several staffers sitting around a coffee table strewn with papers
Mayor Richard Riordan meets with aides and advisors before holding his first news conference following his reelection on April 8, 1997.
(Iris Schneider / Los Angeles Times)
Mayor Richard Riordan clasps raised hands with Dianne Feinstein
Mayor Richard Riordan, a Republican, endorsed Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat, for a full term as California U.S. senator in an appearance at Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City on Oct. 30, 1994.
(Julie Markes / For The Times)
A man in a business suit and hard hat works the controls of a loading crane
Mayor Richard Riordan takes the controls of a loading crane during a ceremony celebrating the opening of the Los Angeles Export Terminal at the Port of Los Angeles on Dec. 3, 1997.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan smiles standing in front of the city flag.
Mayor Richard Riordan during a news conference at City Hall on June 8, 1999.
(Rick Meyer / Los Angeles Times)
Richard Riordan talks on a cellphone sitting in the passenger seat of a car
Richard Riordan works out of his car after a news conference in Huntington Beach on Feb. 25, 2002.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
Mayor Richard Riordan, standing in a crowd while holding his granddaughter Nicole Farrel, then 3, waves to well wishers
Richard Riordan and his granddaughter Nicole Farrel, then 3, wave to well wishers after he was sworn in for his second term as mayor on June 29, 1997, at L.A. City Hall.
(Ken Lubas / Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan poses with City Hall in the background.
Mayor Richard Riordan smiles after delivering his State of the City address outside City Hall on April 16, 1996.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement