Harold Matzner, prominent Coachella Valley philanthropist, dead at 88
Jesus Reyes
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Harold Matzner, a prominent entrepreneur, humanitarian, and philanthropist in the Coachella Valley, has died at the age of 88 after a brief illness.
News Channel 3 confirmed Matzner was pronounced dead at Eisenhower Health Thursday afternoon. Services will be announced at a later date. He is survived by his partner for life, Shellie Reade; his son, Devin; his daughter, Laura; his grandchildren, Elizabeth and Emily; his nephew, Jason; and his two Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Little Guy and Doc.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of your choice, in honor of Harold Matzner’s extraordinary spirit of giving.
Matzner was widely known as “Mr. Palm Springs,” who helped transform the city into a world-class destination for arts and civic life.
Matzner served as the chair of the Palm Springs International Film Festival and Film Awards for more than 20 years, saving the festival from near collapse in 1999. As chairman for more than two decades, he donated more than $12 million of his own funds, built the Palm Springs International Film Awards into a glittering Hollywood launchpad, which generates billions of media impressions worldwide each year, and cemented the festival’s reputation as one of the world’s great showcases for cinema.
He stepped down from the position in April 2023.
Matzner was born in 1937, in Newark, New Jersey, he made his fortune in advertising and marketing.
Matzner discovered Palm Springs in 1985 and soon made it his focus. Nowhere was his influence felt more profoundly than in the city’s arts and culture.
Matzner is one of the Coachella Valley’s largest donors to philanthropy. Over nearly four decades, he donated more than $85 million to local nonprofits, championed healthcare, education, and the arts, and elevated the Palm Springs International Film Festival into a premier stop on Hollywood’s awards circuit.
Over the years, his giving benefited dozens of organizations, including Eisenhower Health, DAP Health, the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, the McCallum Theatre, the Palm Springs Art Museum, FIND Food Bank, Jewish Family Services of the Desert, the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, and Equality California.
Matzner’s philanthropy was both sweeping and personal after he fell in love with tennis and the Palm Springs Tennis Club. When he joined the club in 1997, it had only 44 members. After becoming the Tennis Club Chairman and turning it into an inclusive experience for everyone, there are almost 500 members today.
He was also the owner of the popular Palm Springs restaurant, Spencer’s, named after his beloved 110-pound Siberian husky. He was also Chairman of CBA Industries on the East Coast.
Matzner is credited with the key leadership role in creating Palm Springs’ Measure J (a 1% sales tax increase that has helped to fund a $200 million downtown revitalization program, while providing an additional surplus of $12 million per year to rebuild the city’s infrastructure).
In 2006, Matzner was honored with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, which is located at the foot of his friend Sonny Bono’s statue in the heart of Palm Springs, at 155 S Palm Canyon Drive.
Matzner often said his joy came from “making magic for the people I love.” His mantra was simple: “Never give up. Always push forward.” His absence will be felt in boardrooms, ballrooms, and the countless lives touched by his generosity — many who never knew his name but live better because of him.
Community Reaction:
“The passing of Harold Matzner is a profound loss for our community. His generosity, leadership, and dedication will be remembered with great respect. My sincere condolences go out to Shellie and the entire Matzner family. Rest well! Eight4Nine, Restaurant & Lounge, Willie’s.”
– Willie Rhine, owner of Eight4NIne and Willie’s Rest
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Harold Matzner, a true philanthropist and visionary whose generosity has left an indelible mark on Eisenhower Health and the entire Coachella Valley. Harold’s steadfast commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community has touched countless lives, from patients and families to our staff and future generations.
His dedication to supporting world-class health care at Eisenhower has helped us expand our programs, strengthen our services, and ensure that high-quality care is available close to home. Beyond his contributions to health care, Harold was a champion for the arts, culture, and countless charitable causes that have made our valley a more vibrant and compassionate place.
We are profoundly grateful for his partnership, his vision, and his heart. On behalf of the entire Eisenhower Health family, we extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones. Harold’s legacy of generosity and service will continue to inspire us for years to come.”
— Martin MassielloPresident and Chief Executive OfficerEisenhower Health
Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte statement:
An Enduring Legacy: Harold Matzner (1937-2025)
Harold Matzner’s vision and generosity have permanently enriched the community he called home. His legacy lives on in the thriving cultural institutions, revitalized downtown, and countless lives touched by his compassion and commitment to making Palm Springs a better place for all. He exemplified the profound impact one person can make when business success is paired with genuine care for community and an unwavering dedication to the greater good.
He knew how to get it done.
Palm Springs Councilmember David Ready, previously longtime City Manager
“Harold Matzner was such a major figure in the amazing journey of Palm Springs’ renaisance over the past 20 years. Working with him as City Manager, his dedication, commitment and stewardship of the Palm Springs Film Festival has propelled our city brand to heights we could not have imagined.
Our community is lesser with his passing, and he will be dearly missed.”