Everton announced this evening that their Chairman, Bill Kenwright, passed away on Monday evening aged 78. We have a closer look at who was Bill Kenwright.
The news of Kenwright’s death comes after he had undergone surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his liver back in August. The Everton Chairman spent time in intensive care after complications, but he recently returned home.
Everton confirmed Kenwright died peacefully surrounded by his family and loved ones.
Everton Football Club is in mourning following the death of Chairman Bill Kenwright CBE, who passed away peacefully last night aged 78, surrounded by his family and loved ones.
— Everton (@Everton) October 24, 2023
Who was the Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright?
Kenwright was born in Liverpool, where he fell in love with Everton football club and forward Dave Hickson.
Kenwright also had a passion for acting. At the age of 18, Kenwright was cast in Granada TV’s ‘The Villains’. He was also part of the cast of Coronation Street, but this was just a short term role for him.
After appearing in West End musicals, Kenwright went into theatre production. His company, Bill Kenwright Ltd, became one of the most prolific in the world.
Kenwright was honoured with a London Theatre Critics’ Award for West Side Story at the Shaftesbury Theatre and a Tony Award for Blood Brothers on Broadway.
His other productions include Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita.
His films include Cheri that was directed by Stephen Frears and starred Michelle Pfeiffer. He was also part of The Day After the Fair, Stepping Out, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, Die Mommie Die (a Sundance Festival award winner), and The Purifiers.
Kenwright was awarded a CBE for his services to film and theatre in the 2001 New Years Honours List.
Bill Kenwright and Everton
Kenwright first joined the board at Everton in 1989. He was made deputy Everton Chairman in 1999 after buying a 68% per cent majority share from Peter Johnson.
Five years later in 2004, Kenwright became Everton Chairman. He replaced Sir Phillip Carter. He had completed the dream of many football fans by becoming the Chairman of his boyhood club.
Kenwright enjoyed immediate success as the Chairman. Everton secured Champions League qualifications a year after he became Chairman. This ended a 10-year wait for European football at Goodison Park.
Kenwright stayed on as Everton Chairman this year by Farhad Moshiri, who Kenwright sold his stake to in 2016.
Bill Kenwright’s personal life
Kenwright had been married to Anouska Hempel for two years. He was in a long-term relationship with Jenny Seagrove.
He has one daughter from a previous relationship, and has two grandchildren.
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