LA28 organizers named veteran television and film executive Peter Rice as Head of Ceremonies and Content for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, marking the first time a major Hollywood executive will lead Olympic ceremonies.
Rice will serve as lead executive producer for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, overseeing creative vision and physical production of all four ceremonies at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the 2028 Stadium.
The appointment reinforces LA28's commitment to showcasing Hollywood storytelling and leveraging Los Angeles' position as the entertainment capital, organizers said Wednesday.
"Peter is one of the rare individuals whose expertise seamlessly combines creativity, operational insight and production excellence to deliver ceremonies that will captivate audiences around the world," said LA28 President and Chairperson Casey Wasserman.
Rice's portfolio includes content that earned 51 Academy Award nominations, 42 Golden Globe nominations and 293 Emmy nominations. He has overseen more than 300 shows and over 4,000 hours of annual content across multiple platforms.
His experience spans traditional television, streaming and film — expertise organizers say is crucial as the LA28 Games reach audiences across an evolving media landscape.
"Los Angeles stands as a global beacon of entertainment, culture and diversity, and I'm incredibly honored to embark on this next chapter," Rice said. "I look forward to delivering ceremonies that honor the legacy of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and celebrate the cutting-edge future of the 2028 Stadium."
Rice began his career at 20th Century Fox in 1989, rising through various roles before his 2017 promotion to president of 21st Century Fox. Following Disney's acquisition of the company, Rice became chairman of Walt Disney Television and chairman of General Entertainment for The Walt Disney Company.
The LA28 Games will open July 14, 2028, with ceremonies shared between the LA Memorial Coliseum and 2028 Stadium. The Olympic Closing Ceremony returns to the Coliseum on July 30. Paralympic ceremonies follow Aug. 15 at the 2028 Stadium and Aug. 27 at the Coliseum.
Los Angeles previously hosted Olympic Games in 1984 and 1932. The 2028 Games mark the city's first time hosting Paralympic Games.
Edited by SMDP Staff