Lloyd Eugene Rigler (May 3, 1915 – December 7, 2003)[1][2] was an American businessman and philanthropist. As a businessman, he and a partner, Lawrence E. Deutsch, made Adolph's Meat Tenderizer a national brand.[3] One of his notable philanthropic efforts was the establishment, in 1994, of the Classic Arts Showcase, a free, non-commercial television channel promoting the fine arts.
Lloyd E. Rigler | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lloyd Eugene Rigler May 3, 1915 |
| Died | December 7, 2003 (aged 88) Los Angeles, California, US |
| Alma mater | University of Illinois |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman Philanthropist |
Early life and education
editRigler was born in Lehr, North Dakota,[4][5] to Frank and Jeannette Rigler,[6] who ran a general store serving the farming community in the town of Wishek, North Dakota, where the family lived.[2] He had five siblings.[7]
As a young man, he moved to live with relatives in Chicago and worked to save money to attend the University of Illinois, from which he graduated in 1939.[2]
Career
editAfter graduating from college, Rigler moved to New York City to go into theater. To support himself, he worked as an interviewer for a marketing research agency and did the initial research for the Waring Blender. He later headed guest relations at RCA's exhibit introducing television at the New York World's Fair in 1940. After the fair, he trained as an RCA Victor Red Seal record promotion specialist – and Rigler came to Los Angeles a year later and became a Los Angeles salesman for Decca Records.[8]
In 1942 during World War II, Rigler signed up for the U.S. Navy,[7] but due to the fact that he had poor vision in his left eye, spent the war in San Pedro, California, instead of overseas.[9]
Lawrence E. Deutsch and Rigler met when Rigler worked in the food business and leased space from Deutsch. They went into business together in the mid-1940s.[7]
In 1948, he and Deutsch, who died 1977,[10] bought the Adolph's recipe and name from Adolph Rempp, a chef and restaurant owner in Santa Barbara, California. They later sold the Adolph's brand to Unilever.[2][8]
After the sale of their company, Deutsch and Rigler formed the Ledler Corporation, a venture capital firm.[9]
Philanthropy
editWhen Rigler's partner, Deutsch, died in 1977, Rigler formed the philanthropic foundation called Lloyd E. Rigler–Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation.
In May 1994, Rigler founded Classic Arts Showcase,[9] which was based on the idea that for people who didn't have the money to see art and culture live, this television channel would provide a 24/7 experience for free. Prior to his death, he had funded the program to operate through at least 2022; the channel stated in 2020 that the foundation still has enough money to run the channel through at least 2040 with no additional outside funding sources.[2][7] The signal of Classic Arts Showcase is not scrambled, so there is no authentication / access restriction. There are also no commercials.[9]
In 1999, Rigler founded American Association of Single People, which was focused on political rights for single people.[7]
Other philanthropic efforts:[7]
- 1980s: Joffrey Ballet – when it was located at the Los Angeles Music Center
- 1990s: Egyptian Theatre – restoration
- American Cinematheque, Hollywood theaters
- Los Angeles Music Center – Founding Donor
- New York City Opera: Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors
- Carnegie Hall - refurbishing [11]
- Los Angeles County Museum of Arts- donations
Death
editRigler died of cancer on December 7, 2003, at age 88, at his home in Los Angeles.[2][7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Lloyd E Rigler – United States Social Security Death Index". FamilySearch. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Saxon, Wolfgang (13 December 2003). "Lloyd E. Rigler, 88, Industrialist and Backer Of a Variety of Arts Groups Across the U.S.". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ "Lloyd E. Rigler". Variety. 1 January 2004. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ Zollo, Paul (October 22, 2002). Hollywood Remembered: An Oral History of Its Golden Age. Cooper Square Press. ISBN 978-0-8154-1239-7.
- ^ "Loyd Rigler – North Dakota Census, 1925". FamilySearch. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ "North Dakota Census, 1925, McIntosh". State Historical Society of North Dakota. p. 157. Retrieved 1 June 2015 – via FamilySearch.
- ^ a b c d e f g Rourke, Mary (12 December 2003). "Obituaries Lloyd E. Rigler, 88; He Made Fortune on Meat Tenderizer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ a b "Lloyd E. Rigler's Vision". Classic Arts Showcase. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Isenberg, Barbara (16 July 1995). "Performing Arts: A Satellite to Save the Arts: Lloyd Rigler decided to use his fortune to spread culture all over the hemisphere, 24 hours a day, for free. But can 'Madama Butterfly' and Astaire really compete with R.E.M. and Madonna?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ "Lawrence E Deutsch – California Death Index". FamilySearch. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ "Arts Supporter Lloyd E. Rigler, 88, Dies". ArtDaily.com. Retrieved 2019-10-07.