At the age of 78, renowned West End theater and film producer Bill Kenwright, the chairman of Everton, passed away.
Eight weeks ago, Kenwright underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his liver.
In 1989, he joined the Everton board, and in 2004, he was appointed chairman of Goodison Park.
In addition, the Liverpool native was one of the most prosperous theater producers in the United Kingdom. From 1968 to 2012, he portrayed Gordon Clegg in Coronation Street.
In 2001, Kenwright was recognized with a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List for his services to theater and film.
Everton declared itself in mourning after the longest-serving chairman of the team for over a century passed away.
The club has lost a chairman, a leader, a friend, and an inspiration,” stated Everton.
The Premier League team announced on October 12 that Kenwright had a malignant tumor removed from his liver six weeks prior.
Kenwright needed a prolonged period in an intensive care unit” due to problems, but Everton declared the procedure completely successful.
Kenwright’s family stated he passed away peacefully on Monday night surrounded by his family and loved ones when they announced his death on Tuesday.
“Bill’s life was dedicated to his passions, which included his profound love for music, theater, film, and his cherished Everton and the families they built, the statement continued.
“Whether it was by helping people start their careers or by his unwavering loyalty, generosity, and unwavering friendship and support, he touched the lives of thousands.
Kenwright produced almost 500 West End, Broadway, UK touring, and worldwide theater shows, films, and music recordings during the course of a six-decade career that was marked by numerous awards.
“His family has expressed their immense love and admiration for him; the shows will go on as he would have wished and his incredible legacy will live on,” the relatives said.
in charge of Everton for nearly 20 years
As Everton’s chairman for 19 seasons, Kenwright oversaw 12 Premier League top eight results, including fourth place in 2005. The Merseyside team was also the FA Cup finalists in 2009.
According to Everton, he guided the team through “a period of unprecedented change in English football”.
Iranian investor Farhad Moshiri purchased a 49.9% share in the club from Kenwright in February 2016; in January 2022, Moshiri upped his ownership to 94%.
But as the team was battling relegation the previous season, a number of Everton supporters demanded that Kenwright be fired, stating that they had “no confidence” in him to serve as chairman.
Following what the club described as “threatening correspondence” that was received prior to a game against Southampton last season, Kenwright and the other members of the board of directors were unable to attend any home games starting in January.
While non-executive director Graeme Sharp, chief financial and strategic officer Grant Ingles, and chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale have subsequently departed their positions in the boardroom, Kenwright remained chairman until his passing.
In September, business owner Moshiri gave his approval to sell his 94% stake in the company to American investment fund 777 Partners.
The team said that in order to help with the planned takeover, Kenwright had “worked hard” with Moshiri “right up until the day” of his liver operation.
From the director’s box to the cobblestones
Actor Kenwright began his career in 1968, when he was cast in the lead role of Gordon, the son of Rovers Return barmaid Betty, in the ITV serial opera Coronation Street.
He left Weatherfield the next year, but during the ensuing decades, he made sporadic reappearances on screen.
Kenwright also began staging plays in an attempt to get roles for himself, and discovered he was skilled at running the back end of productions.
He had great success by putting on brand-new productions of two musicals, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Willy Russell, which became long-running touring hits.
In addition, he has directed stagings of The Sound of Music, The Exorcist, Cabaret, Evita, Saturday Night Fever, and The Shawshank Redemption.
Among his current productions are Blood Brothers, Heathers the Musical, Calendar Girls the Musical, Twelve Angry Men, and Sir Ian McKellen in Frank and Percy in London.
Lady In addition, he has directed productions starring Judi Dench, Woody Harrelson, Billie Piper, Rob Lowe, and Felicity Kendal.
