Entertainment industry pioneer Earl Greenburg dies at 61

Earl Greenburg, an entertainment industry pioneer who elevated the profile of the Palm Springs International Film Festival by luring such stars as Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Halle Berry, has died. He was 61.

Greenburg, who was also known for his philanthropy and leading the fight for AIDS research, died Friday at Eisenhower Medical Center of skin cancer.

Greenburg's son, Ari Greenburg, said his father was first diagnosed with melanoma four years ago, but he seemed to have beaten it. It returned last year, he said.

"Earl was a pioneer in the entertainment industry, a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS and a benefactor of many worthwhile …