Rita Riggs

Rita was kind enough to hire me many times to work with her on several pictures and Norman Lear's multiple series. She let me live in either her house or The Loft while in L.A.(I had moved out of state earlier.)The memories of Rita and Almus are with me a lot and my realization of Rita's spirit, concern for others and overview of the human condition are just coming clear to me, and greatly
increasing my appreciation of who she was.
I wish we could have her back to keep on being an inspiration to us. God Bless. Laurie Riley

This is a bit belated, as I only learned of Rita's passing during her momentary tribute during the 90th Academy Awards. I was an 18 year old kid, new to town after moving from Indiana to California. After a lucky break, I was offered the opportunity to intern on Norman Lear's "The Jeffersons" for a week in 1975. The week went well and I was offered full access to all of Norman's shows. All in the Family, Good Times, Maude . . . What a chance for a naive midwestern kid! Rita met me on the set, and offered me my first paying job in Hollywood. Why I'm not sure, because I knew nothing of costuming. I didn't even really know how to sew on a button. But she said she liked my style and thought I would be great to work with Richard Crenna on a new series with Bernadette Peters, All's Fair. She told me "We'll now have a rooster in the hen house" at her amazing home/workspace on 3rd Street (The Loft). Well, in no time I was working on all of her shows, and making friends and developing relationships with the crews, casts and a long relationship with one of the hens in the coop. I continued to work in costumes for the next seven years, and ended up working on so many iconic TV shows of the 70's. Rita had faith in me and taught me so much about the business and its politics, and of course, actors, their characters and their clothing. In years since, I've been a writer, a producer and the manager of Lenny Kravitz among other things. Rita's kind generosity gave me the chance to get my feet wet and grounded in a town where things could have gone very differently. I'll remember her beautiful long hair, her hats, long scarves and eccentric style. I can see her running from set to set on the 7 shows she was COSTUMING ("NOT WARDROBE, its sounds like dirty rags!") Her red classic Porsche, filled with clothes, and her devilish smile and kind advice. Rest in Peace Rita. You were one of a kind!

I am saddened to hear of the death of Rita. She was a cousin to my Mom, her mother Ida a sister to my Grandpa. They moved to California for a better life in 1943 but came home to Arkansas many times. She realized her dreams of becoming a costume designer, may she rest in peace.

Patty, Davis, Mae and I are so sadden of Rita's passing. We are also so happy that we had Rita in our lives and sharing many great memories of our times living at her Irving house, with her and Almus. Our love of Green Corn tamales is because of her, sharing a Margarita as well!
Cheers Rita we love you and miss you!
The Gleeson's

Christine Peters
I am terribly saddened to hear of the passing of the amazingly talented Ms. Rita Riggs. I had the great good fortune of being mentored by Rita for many years and learned all that I know of the magic of Hollywood because of her. She was the most generous of souls, opening up her home, the Loft and her wonderful little Porsche or Mercedes for tours around Los Angeles. My very first visit in 1987 was met at LAX by Rita in a jaunty riding cap and scarf in the porsche! We drove down Sunset Blvd., Palisades to Downtown, for drinks at La Golondrina on Olivera St. Everything I know and continue to share with others about the magic of Hollywood I learned from Rita...we even had dinner one evening in a private caboose at Union station. NOTHING was ever dull with Rita! I'll likely post more. I am just now searching through decades of photos...I feel very blessed I was able to be at the Legacy Luncheon that honored you only last year. So sorry Rita we did not get to have that "big party" you wanted to throw at the Loft. I know that many would love to attend. Perhaps we still may? I will post photos as I uncover them from my albums. All my best and love Christine