Kenneth Handler
Kenneth Robert Handler was an American screenwriter, director, and film composer.
Kenneth Robert Handler was an American screenwriter, director, and film composer. He is best known as the namesake of the Mattel Ken doll.
Who is Kenneth Handler?
Born March 22, 1944, Kenneth Handler was the son of Mattel co-founders Ruth and Elliot Handler. He worked in film as a screenwriter, director, and composer. He married Suzie Handler in 1963 and had three children. He died on June 11, 1994, at age 50.
Why the Ken doll is named after him
Ruth Handler, co-creator of the Barbie doll, named the male counterpart after her son Kenneth. The Ken doll debuted in 1961 and became a pop culture icon, tying Kenneth Handler to one of the best-selling toy lines in history.
What happened to Kenneth Handler?
Accounts of his death differ. His mother publicly stated he died of a brain tumor. Later writers, however, have reported that he died of AIDS-related complications. The exact cause remains disputed in public records.
In short
- American screenwriter, director, and film composer
- Son of Mattel co-founders Ruth and Elliot Handler
- Mattel's Ken doll was named after him
- Died in 1994; cause of death is disputed
Quick questions
Who is Kenneth Handler?
Kenneth Handler Barbie connection
What happened to Kenneth Handler?
Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_HandlerSupports: Birth and death dates, occupations, parents, spouse, children, and naming connection to the Ken doll; conflicting death-cause accounts.
- People — https://people.com/all-about-ruth-handler-children-barbara-kenneth-7562635Supports: Ruth and Elliot Handler as parents of Barbara and Kenneth, Kenneth’s film career, marriage, children, and death reported as brain tumor.
- TIME — https://time.com/6296386/barbie-ken-history/Supports: Ken doll named after Kenneth Handler, Ruth Handler naming context.
- IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0359582/bio/Supports: Birth and death dates, occupation, and parentage.