Ted McGinley and Gigi Rice attend the premiere of the comedy TV series “Shrinking.” Photo by Greg Grudt/UPI
Much like the conclave of cardinals that selects the Pope, the people behind the scenes, the town’s former honorary mayors, have announced the 31st selection of co-mayors to “govern” Pacific Palisades: Ted McGinley and Gigi Rice.
McGinley and Rice are long-time Palisades residents. Both have extensive acting resumes and television/movie credits. Both have volunteered locally, Rice as an AYSO soccer referee and McGinley as an assistant coach for the Pacific Palisades Baseball Association.
Many people thought that former Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Arnie Wishnick was responsible for the honorary mayor choice. But, the true action happened behind the scenes – at Mort’s Deli on Swarthmore.
One day actor Steve Guttenberg was having lunch with his mom at Mort’s Deli [on Swarthmore] and sitting at a table across from them was Anthony Hopkins [2000 mayor] and Martin Short [1998 mayor]. Hopkins had just played the imprisoned forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the 2001 movie “Hannibal.”
Guttenberg said, “My mom went up to Tony and said, “Excuse me, Hannibal, should my son be mayor?”
Hopkins replied, “It would be a wonderful thing.”
About the selection of McGinley and Rice, Guttenberg said, “Ted and Gigi are the most delightful choices for our honorary mayors. They are bringing their friendly and elegant personalities to the job, and the town is going to be better for it. Hip, hip hooray!”
Former honorary mayor Jake Steinfeld said, “I can’t tell you how excited I am that Gigi and Ted will continue the incredible reign of honorary mayors of our amazing community, especially during these very challenging times.”
Steinfeld added, “I can’t think of two more optimistic, smiley, happy and awesome people to lead us/”
In two years, the HM’s will once again gather, in a secret location and name a new honorary mayor. The qualifications and decision making is not precise – in fact one former honorary mayor, said it’s a bit like a game of tag, “You’re it!”
Look for an upcoming story about our town’s newest civil servants, who married in 1991 and have lived in the Palisades since 1989.
Despite Pacific Palisades being in ruins, insurance issues and rebuilding roadblocks, this selection is one of the best things that has happened since the fire. The new co-mayors are funny, talented, attractive and family oriented, and will help set the town right.
Past Pacific Palisades Honorary Mayors
- 1951 – Virginia Bruce
- 1953 – Jerry Lewis
- 1955 – Jack Owens
- 1957 – Vivian Vance
- 1959 – Mel Blanc
- 1961 – Doug McClure
- 1963 – Bob Rockwell
- 1965 – Jerry Paris
- 1967 – Nanette Fabray
- 1969 – Peter Graves
- 1971 – Bob Abernethy
- 1973 – Ed Andrews
- 1975 – Adam West
- 1977 – Walter Matthau
- 1979 – Bert Convy
- 1981 – Ted Knight
- 1984 – Dom DeLuise
- 1986 – Chevy Chase
- 1988 – Rita Moreno
- 1990 – John Raitt
- 1995 – Bob Saget
- 1997 – Eddie Albert
- 1998 – Martin Short
- 2000 – Anthony Hopkins
- 2002 – Steve Guttenberg
- 2006 – Gavin MacLeod
- 2011 – Sugar Ray Leonard
- 2014-2015 – Jake Steinfeld
- 2016-2017 – Kevin Nealon
- 2018-2020- Billy & Janice Crystal
- 2021-2024 – Eugene Levy
- 2025 – -Ted McGinley and Gigi Rice
Thanks for sharing this is good news! It’s a great choice.