Harold Matzner, the businessman and Coachella Valley philanthropist who helped revitalize the Palm Springs International Film Festival as its chairman for more than two decades, has died. He was 88.
Matzner died Thursday at Eisenhower Health hospital in Rancho Mirage after a brief illness.
Matzner led the Palm Springs fest from 2000 until he stepped down in April 2023, to be succeeded by Nachhattar Chandi. He donated more than $12 million of his own funds to help turn the January event — which kicked off with humble beginnings in 1990 — into a must-attend awards-season happening.
Nicknamed “Mr. Palm Springs,” Matzner donated tens of millions of dollars of his own money to local nonprofits and championed healthcare, education and the arts in the area.
He also revived the Palm Springs Tennis Club and turned its lunchroom into Spencer’s, now a hot restaurant in town. He named it after his beloved 110-pound Siberian husky.
Matzner received a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 2006, right next to a statue of his late friend and Palm Springs mayor, entertainer Sonny Bono.
A native of Newark, New Jersey, Matzner was chairman of the branding, advertising and marketing company CBA Industries on the East Coast. He moved to Palm Springs in 1985.
Survivors include his life partner, Shellie; children Devin and Laura; and grandchildren Elizabeth and Emily.