Ronald Jason Palmieri

1950 - 2021

February 5, 1950 - November 1, 2021 Few of us deserve to have our name share a sentence with Cary Grant, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hildegard Knef, Jim Bailey, and Linda Hopkins. Even fewer of us have lived as large and illustrious a life as Ronald Jason Palmieri, also appropriately known as "Big Daddy." We are heartbroken to report that Big Daddy, most recently of Palm Springs and formerly of Bel Air, California, passed away at 71, on Monday, November 1, 2021, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico while living his life to the fullest.

Ron was born: February 5, 1950, in New York City, New York. He was the only son of Paul Palmieri, a well-known jazz guitarist and composer, and Lillian Mattis, an acclaimed lyricist. When his parents separated, Ron moved to Los Angeles, California, attended grade and high school in the San Fernando Valley, followed by USC on scholarships in speech and debate. He graduated Valedictorian in 1972 from USC with a dual-major in Political Science and Speech Communications.

Graduating as the Valedictorian says a lot about Ron's USC years, but it's worth mentioning that Ron was also National Debating Champion, National Extemporaneous Speaking Champion, and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Eta Sigma, Skull and Dagger Honors, and selected as an Associate Justice on the Student Court and then elected as President of his Senior Class. Before his senior year, he studied in Europe at Kings College at Cambridge University in England. It's fair to say that while at USC, Ron made being amazing a lifelong habit.

After USC, Ron went to Georgetown Law Center in Washington D.C. on a full academic scholarship. While at Georgetown, he became an intern for the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Peter Rodino, in the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, Ron was forced to leave law school for four years due to his mother's unforeseen medical incapacitation – but he never lost sight of his dream. In 1976, Ron returned to school and earned his law degree. Over a four-decade legal career, Ron handled many multi-million dollar business litigation matters, and advised many high profile clients around the world. In 2001, he won a $20,000,000 unanimous jury verdict after a six-day trial in less than an hour of deliberations, setting a record in U.S. District Court. Ron continued to rack up big legal wins, often against multi-billion dollar corporations, until retiring in 2017. Business wasn't the only area where Ron succeeded. He built a name for himself in Hollywood, representing many entertainment legends as well.

But don't think a life as large as Ronald Jason "Big Daddy" Palmieri's would settle for one career. Big Daddy Palmieri, a lifelong Democrat, jumped into politics. Significant highlights include being a co-founder of the City of West Hollywood and being the first openly gay person to be on the ballot as a candidate for Governor of California. Ron came in 19th out of 135 candidates on the ballot in the 2003 recall election.

Ron importantly campaigned and fought for human rights his entire life and was actively involved in numerous charities. In the early 1980's he co-founded The Mother Cares Foundation, with spokeswoman Zelda Rubinstein, the first campaign of its kind in Los Angeles, urging abstinence and safe sex in light of the then terrifying AIDS crises. Ron was instrumental in raising awareness and funds for many AIDS organizations. In 1997, he headed an effort with over 300 volunteers to raise over $250,000 for local charities over Labor Day Weekend. Ron was also Chairman of the Board and President of Caring for Babies with AIDS. CBA's purpose is to provide the highest possible quality of life for HIV/AIDS infected, affected, and at-risk infants, children, and families.

Ron "Big Daddy" Palmieri was known around Los Angeles and West Hollywood for his flamboyant style, his classic Rolls Royce and limousine, and his lavish celebrity-filled parties at his beautiful residences in Bel Air and Los Angeles. Ron, and his partner, Quinn Olson, continued their charitable efforts through donations of time and money to numerous charities including, APLA, Project Angel Food, Aids Healthcare Foundation, GLESN, AMFAR, Desert Aids Project, and Aids Assistance Program, and Food Samaritans.

Ron and Quinn, along with their beloved King Charles spaniel, finally made their home in Palm Springs, California, and were in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to celebrate their recent engagement. While there, Ron succumbed to his long battle with severe COPD. The family asks that memorials be directed to any of Ron's favorite charities or the American Lung Association in place of flowers.

Ron is survived by his nephew Jeffrey Tinsley and his 3 children, niece Jennifer Tinsley and her 3 children, and nephew Jason Tinsley, all to whom he was a surrogate father after Ron's brother and their father passed away at a young age, as well as his partner, Quinn Olson.

A life well-lived might be a worn-out cliché, but when remembering Ron, it's a well-earned banner that should fly in the memories of all the people he touched with his larger-than-life personality, elegance, razor-sharp wit, kindness, generosity and love.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at Eden Memorial on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at 1:00 p.m, located at 11500 Sepulveda Blvd, Mission Hills, CA with a reception to follow in Bel Air.