# Rick Caruso

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American businessman and philanthropist (born 1959)

For the founder and chairman of Integra LifeSciences, see [Richard Caruso](/source/Richard_Caruso).

Rick Caruso Caruso in 2015 Born Rick Joseph Caruso (1959-01-07) January 7, 1959 (age 67) Los Angeles, California, U.S. Education University of Southern California (BS) Pepperdine University (JD) Political party Republican (before 2011, 2016–2019) Independent (2011–2016, 2019–2022)[1] Democratic (2022–present)[2] Spouse Tina Caruso Children 4, including Gigi and Justin Relatives Henry Caruso (father) Website Campaign website

**Rick Joseph Caruso** (born January 7, 1959)[3] is an American billionaire businessman.[4] The founder and former CEO of the real estate company [Caruso](/source/Caruso_Affiliated),[5][6] he previously served as the chair of the board of trustees of the [University of Southern California](/source/University_of_Southern_California). Caruso was previously the president of the [Los Angeles Police Commission](/source/Los_Angeles_Police_Commission), a member of the [Board of Water and Power Commissioners](/source/Los_Angeles_Department_of_Water_and_Power), and was the runner-up to [Karen Bass](/source/Karen_Bass) in the [2022 Los Angeles mayoral election](/source/2022_Los_Angeles_mayoral_election).

## Early life and education

Caruso, an [Italian American](/source/Italian_American), was born in [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles).[7] His father, [Henry Caruso](/source/Henry_Caruso), was the founder of [Dollar Rent-A-Car](/source/Dollar_Rent_A_Car) and owner of many car dealerships in the Los Angeles area. His mother Gloria was a billboard model in her youth.[8] Caruso earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the [University of Southern California](/source/University_of_Southern_California) in 1980 (where he was a member of the [Sigma Alpha Epsilon](/source/Sigma_Alpha_Epsilon) fraternity and the [Trojan Knights](/source/Trojan_Knights)); and a [J.D.](/source/Juris_Doctor) from the [Pepperdine University School of Law](/source/Pepperdine_University_School_of_Law) in 1983 as a Margaret Martin Brock Scholar.[9][10][11]

## Career

### Real estate development

Caruso was a real-estate lawyer in the corporate finance department at [Finley Kumble](/source/Finley%2C_Kumble%2C_Wagner%2C_Underberg%2C_Manley%2C_Myerson_%26_Casey).[12] In 1987, he founded Caruso, a company that develops, owns and manages properties. He initially purchased parking lots that his father agreed to lease for Dollar Rent-A-Car which he sold when the property rose in value.[13] In 1990, he quit law to develop his retail and residential properties full-time.[14][15]

His projects include [The Grove at Farmers Market](/source/The_Grove_at_Farmers_Market) in Los Angeles, the [Americana at Brand](/source/Americana_at_Brand) in Glendale, [the Commons at Calabasas](/source/The_Commons_at_Calabasas), the Promenade at Westlake, The Lakes at Thousands Oaks (leased from the [City of Thousand Oaks](/source/Thousand_Oaks%2C_California)),[16] Waterside Marina del Rey, Palisades Village in Pacific Palisades and the Rosewood Miramar Beach in Santa Barbara.[5][12][17][18]

In 2015, Caruso funded a voter initiative to bypass local planning laws and the [California Environmental Quality Act](/source/California_Environmental_Quality_Act) (CEQA) in order to build an outdoor mall in [Carlsbad, California](/source/Carlsbad%2C_California).[19] Although the initiative passed, a subsequent referendum overturned it and a public vote was required. This initiative, Measure A, failed and the mall construction was ultimately blocked.[20] All together, Caruso spent $12 million in less than a year on getting the project approved.[20] This spending included television ads, mailers, and consulting services.[20] Despite his prior criticism of CEQA, one of his malls filed a CEQA suit in 2025, seeking to block the $1 billion [Television City](/source/Television_City) project in the [Fairfax District](/source/Fairfax_District%2C_Los_Angeles) of Los Angeles.[21]

In 2016, the *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)* reported that Caruso, his affiliates and family, had given more than $476,000 to L.A. city officials over the past five years; during this time [Los Angeles City Hall](/source/Los_Angeles_City_Hall) approved numerous building projects.[22]

### Public service

In 1985, at the age of 26, Caruso was named by Mayor [Tom Bradley](/source/Tom_Bradley_(American_politician)) to serve as a commissioner for the [Los Angeles Department of Water and Power](/source/Los_Angeles_Department_of_Water_and_Power),[23] becoming the youngest commissioner in the history of the city.[24][25]

In August 2001, Caruso was appointed by Mayor [James K. Hahn](/source/James_K._Hahn) to the [Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners](/source/Los_Angeles_Board_of_Police_Commissioners)[26] and was elected its president.[24] In this role, he led the selection process that resulted in the hiring of former [New York City Police Commissioner](/source/New_York_City_Police_Commissioner) [William Bratton](/source/William_Bratton) as the [Los Angeles Chief of Police](/source/Los_Angeles_Chief_of_Police).[26]

In 2008, Caruso was elected to serve as a member of the [Los Angeles Coliseum Commission](/source/Los_Angeles_Coliseum_Commission),[25][27] which oversees the operations of the [Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum](/source/Los_Angeles_Memorial_Coliseum) and nearby [Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena](/source/Los_Angeles_Memorial_Sports_Arena). During his tenure on the commission, Caruso advocated for its reform, including the resignation of its general manager,[28][29] and the replacement of the commission itself with a new governing body.[30] He advocated a ban on [rave parties](/source/Rave_parties) at the two venues.[31][32]

### 2022 Los Angeles mayoral race

See also: [2022 Los Angeles mayoral election](/source/2022_Los_Angeles_mayoral_election)

Caruso floated the idea of running for mayor of Los Angeles for the [2009](/source/2009_Los_Angeles_mayoral_election) and [2013](/source/2013_Los_Angeles_mayoral_election) elections,[33] though he ultimately did not run.[34][35]

In 2019, he expressed interest in running in the [2022](/source/2022_Los_Angeles_mayoral_election) election. He announced his candidacy on February 11, 2022, the day before the filing deadline.[36] During the campaign, Caruso said he supported more housing in L.A., but opposed changing [zoning regulations](/source/Zoning_in_the_United_States) to allow denser housing in neighborhoods that mandate single-family housing. At the time, three-quarters of residentially zoned land in Los Angeles permitted only single-family housing.[37]

Caruso spent more than $41 million on his primary campaign, including $39 million of his own money on digital, radio, and television advertising.[38] Caruso finished second in the June election to [Karen Bass](/source/Karen_Bass), and faced her in a runoff election on November 8, which Bass won.[39][40]

## Philanthropy

### Caruso Family Foundation

Caruso founded the Caruso Family Foundation, which focuses on organizations that improve the lives of children in need of healthcare and education.[41][42]

In addition to USC and Pepperdine, Caruso has made significant donations to Los Angeles academic institutions including [Loyola High School](/source/Loyola_High_School_(Los_Angeles)) and [Brentwood School](/source/Brentwood_School_(Los_Angeles)), which 3 of his children attended.[43][44][45]

### Law schools

Caruso and his wife, Tina, established the Caruso Loan Forgiveness Fund which covers the law school loan payments for ten years for low-income and other underserved students.[46]

In October 2019, he donated $50 million to Pepperdine School of Law, which was renamed in his honor. The gift is directed to historically underrepresented students as well as to students pursuing public interest law.[47]

### University of Southern California

Caruso's daughter, [Gianna "Gigi" Caruso](/source/Gigi_Caruso), was born with [hearing loss](/source/Hearing_loss) and was treated at USC's [Keck School of Medicine](/source/Keck_School_of_Medicine). In 2015, Caruso and his wife Tina donated a further $25 million to USC, to endow and name the USC Tina and Rick Caruso Department of [Otolaryngology](/source/Otolaryngology) – Head and Neck Surgery.[48][49]

The Caruso Catholic Center and Our Savior Parish Church on the USC campus was endowed by and named after Caruso following his contribution of $9 million.[50][51]

In 2018, Caruso was elected chairman of USC's board of trustees; he resigned from the position in 2022.[52] As of May 2026, he remains a voting member of the board.[53]

As the chairman of USC's board of trustees, Caruso was criticized for his handling of the [George Tyndall](/source/George_Tyndall) USC sexual abuse scandal, in which a USC gynecologist spent 30 years molesting hundreds of patients, despite complaints dating back to 1991.[54][55][56][57] In May 2018, Caruso promised an independent investigation and an accompanying public report, but no report on the investigation has been made public.[58][59]

### January 2025 Southern California wildfires

In the wake of the [January 2025 Southern California wildfires](/source/January_2025_Southern_California_wildfires), Caruso became a prominent critic of his former mayoral opponent [Karen Bass](/source/Karen_Bass)'s response to the [Palisades Fire](/source/Palisades_Fire) and advocated for greater firefighting resources.[60][61] On January 12, 2025, Caruso and his wife pledged $5 million to the [Los Angeles Fire Department](/source/Los_Angeles_Fire_Department) Foundation.[62]

## Recognition

In 1995, Caruso was named Alumnus of the Year by Pepperdine School of Law.[14] He was named by the *[Los Angeles Business Journal](/source/Los_Angeles_Business_Journal)* as "Developer of the Year" and its 2012 [Ernst & Young](/source/Ernst_%26_Young) LLP Master Entrepreneur of the Year.[42]

Caruso has lectured on real estate issues at the Kennedy School of Public Administration at [Harvard University](/source/Harvard_University),[63] the [USC Price School of Public Policy](/source/USC_Price_School_of_Public_Policy)[64] and the [Milken Institute](/source/Milken_Institute) Global Conference.[65] He has also been a guest panelist for the [International Council of Shopping Centers](/source/International_Council_of_Shopping_Centers).[66]

## Personal life

Caruso and his wife, Tina, have four children: Alex, Gregory, [Justin](/source/Justin_Caruso), and [Gianna](/source/Gigi_Caruso).[3] They live in the [Brentwood](/source/Brentwood%2C_Los_Angeles) neighborhood of Los Angeles.[67] Caruso is a devout [Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church).[68]

## References

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Oreskes, Benjamin (January 24, 2022). ["Rick Caruso Changes Registration to Democrat as He Weighs a Run for L.A. Mayor"](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-01-24/prospective-la-mayoral-candidate-rick-caruso-registers-as-democract). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*. Retrieved January 24, 2022.

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_20-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_20-2) Diehl, Phil (August 11, 2016). ["New documents show more Caruso spending"](https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/sdut-documents-show-caruso-spent-12m-2016aug11-story.html). *[San Diego Union Tribune](/source/San_Diego_Union_Tribune)*. Retrieved March 18, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** David Zahniser, [Rick Caruso's mall sues to stop the $1-billion Television City project](https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2025-02-15/la-me-rick-carusos-the-grove-sues-to-block-television-city-l-a-on-the-record), *Los Angeles Times* (February 15, 2025).

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hahn_26-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hahn_26-1) ["Hahn Picks Bratton to Lead Police Force"](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-oct-03-me-chief3-story.html). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*. October 3, 2002. Retrieved September 3, 2011.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Romero, Dennis (February 9, 2011). ["Raves: Rick Caruso Calls for Resignation of Coliseum G.M. Patrick Lynch"](http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/02/caruso_coliseum_resign_raves.php). *[LA Weekly](/source/LA_Weekly)*.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-47)** ["Pepperdine School of Law Announces Historic $50 Million Commitment by Alumnus Rick J. Caruso | Pepperdine University"](https://www.pepperdine.edu/newsroom/2019/10/pepperdine-school-law-announces-historic-50-million-commitment-alumnus-rick-j/). *www.pepperdine.edu*. Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-48)** ["$25 million gift from Tina and Rick Caruso to endow head and neck department"](https://news.usc.edu/82320/25-million-gift-from-tina-and-rick-caruso-to-endow-head-and-neck-department/). *USC News*. [University of Southern California](/source/University_of_Southern_California). June 5, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:6_49-0)** Schmidt, Ingrid (March 13, 2019). ["Lori Loughlin's Daughter Vacationed on Billionaire USC Official's Yacht"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lori-laughlins-daughter-vacationed-rick-carusos-yacht-1194688). *[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter)*. Retrieved March 14, 2019. Born with hearing loss, Gigi Caruso was treated by doctors at USC's Keck School of Medicine. In 2015, Rick and Tina Caruso donated $25 million to the school to endow and name it the USC Tina and Rick Caruso Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery, known for research and treatment of ear, nose and throat diseases.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-50)** Smith, Dakota (December 16, 2008). ["Ground Blessing Takes Place for New USC Caruso Catholic Center"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090201002702/http://la.curbed.com/archives/2008/12/ground_blessing_takes_place_for_new_usc_caruso_catholic_center.php). *[Curbed LA](/source/Curbed_LA)*. Archived from [the original](http://la.curbed.com/archives/2008/12/ground_blessing_takes_place_for_new_usc_caruso_catholic_center.php) on February 1, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-51)** Gordon, Larry (December 9, 2012). ["Lavish new church, meeting center to serve USC Catholics"](https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2012-dec-09-la-me-usc-church-20121209-story.html). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-52)** ["2/15- A Message from USC Board of Trustees Chair Rick J. Caruso"](https://we-are.usc.edu/2022/02/15/2-15-a-message-from-usc-board-of-trustees-chair-rick-j-caruso/). *2022*. February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-53)** ["Trustees"](https://boardoftrustees.usc.edu/trustees/). *USC Board of Trustees*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-54)** Ryan, Harriet; Hamilton, Matt (April 1, 2019). ["How much of USC's sweeping sexual abuse investigation will stay secret?"](https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-usc-sexual-abuse-investigation-secret-20190401-story.html). *Los Angeles Times*. Retrieved February 17, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-55)** Chi, Lucy; Nafziger, Audrey; Rowland, Allison (October 18, 2021). ["USC and prosecutors owe the public a full account of sex abuse inquiries"](https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-10-18/usc-and-prosecutors-owe-the-public-a-full-account-of-sex-abuse-inquiries). *Los Angeles Times*. Retrieved February 17, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-56)** ["USC Promised Transparency, So Why Is It Acting 'Like The Kremlin'?"](https://laist.com/news/usc-transparency). *LAist*. August 19, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-57)** Hamilton, Matt; Ryan, Harriet (December 19, 2018). ["Must Reads: How George Tyndall went from USC gynecologist to the center of LAPD's largest-ever sex abuse investigation"](https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-george-tyndall-profile-usc-sexual-assault-allegations-20181219-story.html). *Los Angeles Times*. Retrieved February 17, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-58)** ["Former USC campus gynecologist's accusers call for investigation of top university officials"](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-10-06/usc-tyndall-gynecologist-sex-abuse-investigation). *Los Angeles Times*. October 6, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-59)** Hamilton, Matt; Harriet, Ryan (March 25, 2021). ["USC to pay $1.1 billion to settle decades of sex abuse claims against gynecologist"](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-03-25/usc-payout-gynecologist-sex-abuse-claims-to-top-1-billion). *Los Angeles Times*. Retrieved February 17, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-60)** Saul, Derek (January 8, 2025). ["'There's No Water Coming Out Of The Fire Hydrants': Billionaire Caruso Becomes Top L.A. Fires Critic"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2025/01/08/theres-no-water-coming-out-of-the-fire-hydrants-billionaire-caruso-becomes-top-la-fires-critic/). *[Forbes](/source/Forbes)*. Retrieved January 10, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-61)** Arango, Tim; Baker, Mike; Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas (January 9, 2025). ["'Completely Dry': How Los Angeles Firefighters Ran Out of Water"](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/us/los-angeles-fire-water-hydrant-failure.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved January 10, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-62)** [Elex Michaelson](/source/Elex_Michaelson) [@Elex_Michaelson] (January 12, 2025). [".@RickCarusoLA announces $5 million donation to the L.A. Fire Dept. Foundation"](https://x.com/Elex_Michaelson/status/1878605286925369373) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). Retrieved January 12, 2025 – via [X (formerly Twitter)](/source/X_(formerly_Twitter)).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-63)** ["Caruso! Not the singing one. The talking one. Rick Caruso talks more LA"](http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2010/01/caruso-not-the-singing-one-the-talking-one-rick-caruso-talks-more-la.html). *Los Angeles Times*. Retrieved May 12, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-64)** ["USC 125th Commencement: Speakers at Satellite Ceremonies"](http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/newsroom/news_release.php?id=408) (Press release). University of Southern California. Retrieved May 12, 2013.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Milken_65-0)** ["Global Conference 2013 – Rick Caruso"](https://www.milkeninstitute.org/events/gcprogram.taf?function=bio&EventID=gc13&SPID=10827). [Milken Institute](/source/Milken_Institute). Retrieved May 12, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-66)** ["Saint John's Health Center"](http://www.newstjohns.org/saint_johns_foundation_leadership.aspx). Newstjohns.org. Retrieved May 12, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-forbes_67-0)** ["Forbes profile: Rick Caruso"](https://www.forbes.com/profile/rick-caruso). *Forbes*. Retrieved May 17, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-68)** ["Rick Caruso's USC Mission Has Family Roots"](https://caruso.com/newsroom/in-the-news/2019/rick-carusos-usc-mission-family-roots/). *Caruso*. April 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2022.

Authority control databases VIAF

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Rick Caruso](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Caruso) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Caruso?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.