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Who was Kenneth Handler?
Kenneth Handler was the son of Ruth and Elliot Handler, the founders of Mattel and the creators of the iconic Barbie and Ken dolls. He was born in 1944 in Los Angeles, California, and showed an early talent for music and movies. He was named after his father’s friend and business partner, Harold “Matt” Matson, who sold his share of Mattel to the Handlers in 1947
Kenneth Handler pursued a career in the entertainment industry, becoming a screenwriter, director, and film composer. He was best known for directing Delivery Boys and A Place Without Parents in the 1980s. He also owned a photography gallery in Los Angeles, where he exhibited his own work, including a series called All-American Boys, featuring portraits of young men from different backgrounds
How did Kenneth Handler die?
Kenneth Handler died on June 11, 1994, at the age of 50, in New York City. His mother publicly stated that his cause of death was a brain tumor, but multiple writers, including Jerry Oppenheimer and Robin Gerber, attribute his death to AIDS-related complications
According to Oppenheimer, Kenneth Handler was gay and had a troubled relationship with his parents, especially his mother, who disapproved of his lifestyle and pressured him to marry and have children. He married Suzie Handler in 1963 and had three children, but they divorced in 1989. He later moved to New York and lived with his partner, David Jordan
Kenneth Handler was reportedly “embarrassed and humiliated” by having an anatomically incorrect boy doll named after him, and felt that he had nothing in common with the Ken doll, who represented the ideal American male. He once said that the Ken doll was “Malibu” while he was “a real nerd”
What is the legacy of Kenneth Handler?
Kenneth Handler’s legacy is intertwined with that of the Ken doll, which has been one of the most popular and influential toys in history. The Ken doll was introduced in 1961, two years after the Barbie doll, as her boyfriend and companion. The Ken doll has undergone many changes over the years, reflecting the trends and fashions of different eras. He has also been the subject of controversy and criticism, especially for his unrealistic body proportions and lack of genitalia.
The Ken doll has also been a source of inspiration and empowerment for many people, especially those who identify as LGBTQ+. Some have used the Ken doll to express their gender identity and sexuality, such as BillyBoy, a French artist and collector who created his own line of dolls called L’Enfant Terrible, featuring flamboyant and androgynous versions of Ken. Others have celebrated the Ken doll as a symbol of diversity and inclusion, such as Matt Jacobi and Nick Caprio, a gay couple who customized their own Ken dolls to resemble themselves and used them as cake toppers for their wedding.
The Ken doll has also been the subject of various artistic and cultural works, such as the documentary Toyland, which explores the lives of the Handlers and their children, and the musical Barbie and Ken at the Fountain of Youth, which imagines the aging of the dolls and their relationship.
Kenneth Handler may not have been happy with the Ken doll, but he left behind a legacy that has touched and influenced millions of people around the world. He was a creative and talented person who followed his passions and dreams, despite the challenges and expectations he faced. He was more than just the namesake of the Ken doll, he was a human being with a story worth telling.
