Bill Cunningham, voice of Ken, passes away at 96

Ken Cunningham passed away at the age of 96 on July 15, as confirmed by CESD Talent Agency. For the unversed, he was the original voice of Ken of Barbie fame. His cause of death remains undisclosed. 2 things you need to know He co-founded the prestigious CESD Talent Agency. Bill served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. From Navy service to Hollywood stardom Born in San Francisco, Bill Cunningham ventured into the entertainment world and later served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He showcased his musical talents as part of the Fort Emory Drum and Bugle Corp, entertaining troops throughout the Pacific theater. After the war, Cunningham's singing career took flight as he graced notable shows like NBC's Voices of Walter Schumann and The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show. Additionally, his melodic voice found its way into various movie soundtracks, leaving a lasting impact on Hollywood. (Bill Cunnigham's co-founded agency shared news about his demise on social media | Image: CESD Talent Agency/Instagram) Cunningham's role as the voice of Ken in Mattel's early Barbie records secured him a special place in pop culture history. This iconic portrayal of Barbie's companion significantly predated Ryan Gosling's portrayal of Ken in the Barbie movie adaptations. Talent agency trailblazer: Building a legacy of excellence In 1963, Bill Cunningham embarked on a career change and decided to invest his life savings into establishing Pacific Artists Agency. Over time, the agency expanded and evolved, becoming Cunningham & Associates. Ken Slevin and Paul Doherty, CESD partners, praised Cunningham's legacy, emphasizing his warmth, grace, and positive impact on both clients and employees. Their agency, now known as Cunningham-Escott-Slevin-Doherty (CESD) Talent Agency, stands as a dominant force in the industry, boasting a roster of prestigious commercial, voice-over, print, digital influencer, theatrical/TV-film, and young performer talents. Cunningham retired in 1989 after decades of hard work and dedication. In 2014, he shared his extraordinary journey in his autobiography, "I Wonder What Became of Me," allowing readers to glimpse the life of a true pioneer in the entertainment business.

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Bill Cunningham, voice of Ken, passes away at 96

Renowned talent agency founder and the early voice of Ken in Barbie records, Bill Cunningham, passes away at 96.

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