The entertainment industry mourns the loss of a true pioneer as Bill Cunningham, the original voice of Barbie’s boyfriend Ken for Mattel, passed away at the age of 96. The talented singer and founder of the renowned talent agency CESD left a lasting legacy in the world of talent representation and voice-over work.
Bill Cunningham breathed his last on July 15 at his residence in West Hollywood, according to an announcement made by CESD Talent Agency. While no further details were disclosed, it is evident that Cunningham’s contribution to the industry was immense and impactful.
Known for his warm personality and professionalism, Bill Cunningham was hailed as one of the great innovators and gentlemen in the talent representation business. As CESD partners Ken Slevin and Paul Doherty remarked, he set the standard for client and customer service, particularly in the domains of commercial, voice-over, and print. Cunningham’s dedication to excellence and his amiable demeanor endeared him to all those he represented and worked with.
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Born in San Francisco, Bill Cunningham made his way to Hollywood with dreams of pursuing a career in entertainment. However, his path took a detour when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving with the Fort Emory Drum and Bugle Corp during World War II. His talents as a performer were evident even during his military service, as he toured extensively across the Pacific theater.
Following the war, Cunningham’s star continued to rise as a singer, earning him appearances on prominent shows like NBC’s “Voices of Walter Schumann” and “The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show.” His captivating voice also graced the soundtracks of numerous Hollywood films for major studios. Moreover, long before Ryan Gosling became Barbie’s boyfriend on the silver screen, Bill Cunningham lent his voice to Ken in Mattel’s early Barbie records. Additionally, he had the privilege of touring alongside legendary artists like Judy Garland and Dinah Shore, further cementing his status in the industry.
In 1963, Cunningham took a bold step and transitioned into the world of talent representation, investing his life savings to establish Pacific Artists Agency. This venture, encouraged by singer and TV star Peggy Taylor, started with ten voice-over actors. Bill personally handled the distribution of headshots and bios to ad agencies in Los Angeles at the outset. Over time, the agency flourished and evolved, becoming Cunningham & Associates in 1967, and later expanding its footprint to New York and Chicago in 1971. The addition of T.J. Escott, Ken Slevin, and Paul Doherty in the following decades brought further success, leading to the renaming of the firm as Cunningham-Escott-Slevin-Doherty (CESD) Talent Agency in 2005.
Today, CESD Talent Agency stands as one of the nation’s most prestigious talent agencies, boasting excellence in various domains, including commercial, voice-over, print, digital influencer, theatrical/TV-film, and young performer talent representation.
In 1989, after an illustrious career, Bill Cunningham decided to retire, leaving behind a wealth of experience and knowledge. He also chronicled his remarkable journey in the entertainment world through his autobiography titled “I Wonder What Became of Me,” published in 2014.
Bill Cunningham’s impact on the industry will be remembered for generations to come. His passing leaves behind nephews and nieces, Kirk, Kevin, Kristen, Janet, Barbara, and Debbie, who will undoubtedly cherish his memory.
The entertainment community and fans alike mourn the loss of a legendary figure whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment and talent representation.