Image of Rick Caruso

Rick Caruso

Person

A successful real estate developer who ran for Mayor of Los Angeles and was presented as a more qualified, operational candidate than Karen Bass.


entitydetail.created_at

7/26/2025, 4:57:40 AM

entitydetail.last_updated

7/26/2025, 5:57:05 AM

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7/26/2025, 5:57:04 AM

Summary

Rick Caruso is an American billionaire businessman, widely recognized as the founder and former CEO of the real estate company Caruso. He holds a prominent civic role as the chair of the board of trustees at the University of Southern California and has served in public service as president of the Los Angeles Police Commission and a member of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners. In 2022, Caruso ran as a Democrat in the Los Angeles mayoral election, ultimately losing to Karen Bass. His business acumen and perceived operational prowess have been highlighted in discussions regarding California's preparedness for and response to events like wildfires, where his proactive measures were contrasted with the leadership of Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass.

Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Father

    Henry Caruso (founder of Dollar Rent-A-Car)

  • Mother

    Gloria Caruso

  • Education

    University of Southern California (BS), Pepperdine University (JD)

  • Full Name

    Rick Joseph Caruso

  • Net Worth

    $6 billion (as of web search results)

  • Occupation

    Billionaire businessman, Real Estate Developer

  • Nationality

    American

  • Date of Birth

    1959-01-07

  • Place of Birth

    Los Angeles, California, U.S.

  • Political Affiliation (2011-2016)

    Independent

  • Political Affiliation (2016-2019)

    Republican

  • Political Affiliation (2019-2022)

    Independent

  • Political Affiliation (before 2011)

    Republican

  • Political Affiliation (2022-present)

    Democratic

Timeline
  • Born in Los Angeles, California. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1959-01-07

  • Received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California. (Source: Web Search)

    1980

  • Received a J.D. from the Pepperdine University School of Law. (Source: Web Search)

    1983

  • Established Caruso Affiliated Holdings (later known as Caruso). (Source: Web Search)

    1987

  • Asked to serve as Chair of the University of Southern California's (USC's) Board of Trustees. (Source: Web Search)

    2018

  • Formally announced his candidacy for Mayor of Los Angeles. (Source: Web Search)

    2022-02

  • Ran in the Los Angeles mayoral election as a Democrat and was the runner-up to Karen Bass. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2022

  • Spoke about the next chapter for Pacific Palisades and the Palisades Village. (Source: Web Search)

    2024-05-28

  • Announced a foundation aimed at rebuilding after Southern California wildfires. (Source: Web Search)

    Ongoing

Rick Caruso

Rick Joseph Caruso (born January 7, 1959) is an American billionaire businessman. The founder and former CEO of the real estate company Caruso, he is also the chair of the board of trustees at the University of Southern California. Caruso was previously the president of the Los Angeles Police Commission, a member of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, and was the runner-up to Karen Bass in the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election.

Web Search Results
  • Rick Caruso - Wikipedia

    Wikipedia # Rick Caruso Rick Joseph Caruso (born January 7, 1959) is an American billionaire businessman. The founder and former CEO of the real estate company Caruso, he is also the chair of the board of trustees at the University of Southern California. Caruso was previously the president of the Los Angeles Police Commission, a member of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, and was the runner-up to Karen Bass in the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election. [...] | Rick Caruso | | | --- | --- | | Caruso in 2015 | | | Born | Rick Joseph Caruso (1959-01-07) January 7, 1959 (age 66) Los Angeles, California, U.S. | | Education | University of Southern California (BS) Pepperdine University (JD) | | Political party | Republican "Republican Party (United States)") (before 2011, 2016–2019) Independent (2011–2016, 2019–2022) Democratic "Democratic Party (United States)") (2022–present) | | Spouse | Tina Caruso | | Children | 4, including Gigi and Justin | [...] Caruso, an Italian American, was born in Los Angeles. His father, Henry Caruso, was the founder of 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. Caruso received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California in 1980 (where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and the Trojan Knights); and a J.D. from the Pepperdine University School of Law in 1983 as a Margaret Martin

  • Rick Caruso Net Worth

    Rick Caruso is an American businessman who has a net worth of $6 billion. Rick Caruso is the founder of Caruso, a real estate development company (formerly known as Caruso Affiliated). Caruso has developed some of Southern California's most popular malls. His malls include The Grove, the Americana at Brand, the Palisades Village, and the Calabasas Commons. Before founding his company, Caruso was the youngest commissioner in the history of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. [...] Rick Caruso Jason Kempin/Getty Images Caruso is a current member of the Los Angeles Coliseum Commission. He is also involved in many community organizations, such as Para Los Ninos, which is a community resource that provides education and child development services to neighborhoods in the Southern California area. In addition, he is a trustee of the University of Southern California School of Policy, Planning and Development. ## Personal Life [...] In February 2022, Rick Caruso formally announced his candidacy for Mayor of Los Angeles. He ultimately lost to Karen Bass after spending $80 million of his own money on the campaign. ## Early Life Rick Caruso was born in Los Angeles, California, on January 7, 1959. His father, Henry, was the founder of Dollar Rent-A-Car and owned many car dealerships in LA.

  • Rick Caruso

    THR_RICK_CARUSO_72 # Rick Caruso FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN A renowned business innovator, dedicated civic leader and actively-involved philanthropist, Rick J. Caruso is the founder and Executive Chairman of Caruso®, one of the largest and most admired privately held real estate companies in the United States. Under Rick Caruso’s leadership, the company has achieved a compounded annual growth rate of 17% since its inception. [...] In 2018, Caruso was asked to serve as Chair of the University Southern California’s (USC’s) Board of Trustees. As Chair, he oversaw transformational reforms to the university’s culture and the Board’s governance model to ensure accountability and oversight. He has worked tirelessly to restore trust and to build a world-class leadership team, including hiring the first female president in the university’s history and playing a key role in the overhaul of the university’s athletics program. [...] Caruso started his career as a real-estate lawyer in the corporate finance department of one of the nation’s largest law firms. Thereafter, he transitioned from law to pursue his lifelong passion for development, establishing Caruso Affiliated Holdings in 1987. Ignoring the traditional “shopping mall” approach to retail, he adopted a fresh, new strategy for development and revolutionized the industry with imaginative retail and mixed-use destinations that serve as timeless and beloved centers

  • RIck Caruso - Los Angeles Daily News

    e-Edition Get the latest news delivered daily! Daily News Get the latest news delivered daily! e-Edition # RIck Caruso Trending: # RIck Caruso Rick Caruso, Founder and Executive Chairman of Caruso, speaks about the next chapter for Pacific Palisades and the Palisades Village, in Pacific Palisades on Wednesday, May 28, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG) ## Palisades Village to reopen in 2026 after wildfire-related closure [...] U.S. Rep. Karen Bass and developer Rick Caruso are both hoping to become the next mayor of Los Angeles. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG) ## Rick Caruso says effort to recall Mayor Karen Bass is ‘not a good idea’ Thousands of structures sit in ruins in Altadena, California, on Jan. 19, 2025. The Eaton fire, fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds, ripped through beginning on the evening of Jan. 7. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register/TNS) [...] ## Developer Rick Caruso announces foundation aimed at rebuilding after Southern California wildfires LDN-L-PP-BLAZE-DAY2-0109-JG-18 ## Amid criticism of her leadership, LA Mayor Bass announces federal wildfire aid Renderings for the new plan for Television City. (Courtesy Foster + Partners and Television City) ## LA City Council approves $1B expansion, modernization of Television City

  • Rick Caruso - Forbes

    ### California Shopping Center King Rick Caruso Is Back—And Cheering On The Demise Of The American Mall ### Rick Caruso On The Importance Of Retail ### Women’s National Soccer Team Celebrates Victory On Billionaire Rick Caruso’s Controversial Yacht ### What You Need To Know About Rick Caruso, Billionaire Chair Of USC’s Board Of Trustees ### The Walt Disney Of Retail: Meet The Billionaire Building The Malls Of The Future ### The Man Behind LA's Most Iconic Shopping Destination - The Grove [...] # Rick Caruso ### Real Time Net Worth profile image for Rick Caruso ### Forbes Lists What guides my strategy is my love for the human spirit and connecting what we do to how people live their lives. I never viewed it as a complicated formula. Don Peebles Robert & Philip Ng Pepperdine University Harry Triguboff Manuel Villar University of Southern California ### More on Forbes ### Montecito’s Rosewood Miramar Beach Is An Art Lover’s Playground [...] ### How Karen Bass Beat A Billionaire To Become First Woman And Second Black L.A. Mayor ### Los Angeles Mayor’s Race: Rep. Karen Bass Defeats Billionaire Rick Caruso ### San Francisco Recalls Progressive DA Chesa Boudin, Billionaire Caruso Advances In Los Angeles Mayoral Race ### Musk Endorses Billionaire Caruso For Los Angeles Mayor ### Musk Endorses Billionaire Caruso For Los Angeles Mayor

Rick Joseph Caruso (born January 7, 1959) is an American businessman. A billionaire, he is the founder and former chief executive officer of Caruso, an American real-estate company. He is the chair of the board of trustees at the University of Southern California and was previously the president of the Los Angeles Police Commission and a member of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners. Caruso ran as a Democrat in the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election, losing to fellow Democrat Karen Bass. He was previously registered as non-partisan, and before that he was a Republican.

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