Brad Grey, former Paramount CEO, dead at 59

May 15 (UPI) -- Former chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures Brad Grey has died at the age of 59.

The film executive died Sunday from cancer in Holmby Hills, Calif. surrounded by his friends and family, Deadline reported.

Grey was in charge at Paramount for 12 years starting in 2005 after he co-founded with Bernie Brillstein, Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, a production and management studio where Grey executive produced shows such as The Sopranos, The Larry Sanders Show, Real Time With Bill Maher and It's Garry Shandling's Show.

At Paramount, Grey oversaw the revival of the Mission: Impossible franchise, the launching of Iron Man in a deal with Marvel and the release of hit films in the Transformers and Paranormal Activity franchises alongside critical and award-winning favorites such as An Inconvenient Truth, There Will Be Blood, No Country for Old Men, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Babel, Shutter Island, The Fighter, True Grit and more.

Grey was forced out at Paramount in February following a string of box-office disappointments and $450 million in annual losses at the studio.

Grey is survived by his wife Cassandra Grey, their son Jules, his children Sam, Max and Emily from a previous marriage, his mother Barbara Schumsky, his brother Michael Grey and his sister Robin Grey.