 On June 6, 1992, Riley died of AIDS-related kidney failure in Burbank, California, only fourteen days short of his 39th birthday.He was survived by his second wife Nina and a son, Larry, Jr.The Memphis Theatre Awards (now called "The Ostrander Awards") have, since his death, been annually presenting the "Larry Riley Award" to the best local young thespian in the college or community theatre scene who is about to embark on a professional theatre career.