Pioneering media mogul and L.A. philanthropist Jerry Perenchio dies at age 86

Jerry Perenchio at his home in 2014.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

May 24, 2017 6:30 PM PT

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In his long career, Jerry Perenchio, who died Tuesday at his Bel-Air home, deftly pulled the levers of power to create culturally defining media events, propel political candidates, collect masterpiece artworks and become one of the richest men in Los Angeles.

Muhammad Ali is flanked by Jack Kent Cooke, left, and Jerry Perenchio, financial backers of his title fight with Joe Frazier, at a news conference in L.A. in 1971.

(George Brich / Associated Press)

Former heavyweight champions George Foreman, left, and Joe Frazier, right, stand with promoter Jerry Perenchio in New York in April 1976 when it was announced they would meet that year in June for a boxing match.

(Marty Lederhandler / Associated Press)

British sports executive Jarvis Astaire, left, and Jerry Perenchio, CEO of Univision, sign a contract in 1971 giving Astaire the British closed-circuit television rights to the “Fight of the Century” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in New York City that year.

(Len Trievnor / Getty Images)

Los Angeles County Museum of Art trustee Lynda Resnick, left, Jerry Perenchio and LACMA CEO Michael Govan arrive at a news conference at LACMA in 2014 to announce Perenchio’s bequest of artwork.

(Nick Ut / Associated Press)