A beloved partner, father, grandfather, friend, and founder of his namesake companies, Bill Kenwright CBE was driven by his passions and devoted his life to them; his deep love of theatre, film, music and his beloved Everton, and the families they created.

In a multi-award-winning career spanning six decades, Bill produced over 500 West End, Broadway, UK touring and international theatre productions, films and music albums. His impact on the arts industry has been profound. Bill helped to launch the careers of many West End producers, performers and creatives, and for many years was the biggest employer of actors in live entertainment, estimated to employ more actors in a year than any other employer aside from the BBC. His tireless work across the UK also revitalised the touring network in Britain, with barely a stage in the UK that Bill hadn’t brought a show to.

“Bill was one of the greatest producers this country has ever known.”

Rufus Norris, Artistic Director and CEO of The National Theatre.

As a director, he was nominated for the London Theatre Critics’ Award for West Side Story and a Tony Award for Blood Brothers, as well as directing Evita, Saturday Night Fever, Whistle Down the Wind, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Blood Brothers, and Cilla the Musical. In addition to his extensive theatre credits, he co-produced the phenomenally successful arena tour Elvis- The Concert with Elvis Presley Enterprises.

Bill was also a prolific filmmaker who produced numerous films through his company Bill Kenwright Films from 1999 to 2021. Notable films include Chéri, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Rupert Friend, Burden which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival (winning the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award) and Broken, starring Tim Roth, Lily James and Cillian Murphy.

A lifelong Toffees supporter, Bill was asked to join the board of directors at Everton Football Club in 1989, becoming deputy chairman in 1999, and chairman of the club in 2004, a position he held for the remainder of his life. During this time, he lead the club through an unprecedented period of change for English football.

Bill was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from both Liverpool University and Nottingham Trent University, and an Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool’s John Moores University, and an Honorary Professorship from Thames Valley University of London. In 2002, he received the Variety Club Bernard Delfont Award for his contribution to the entertainment industry, and in the same year his CBE. In 2008, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Theatrical Management Association. In 2017, to celebrate his career, he was honoured by BBC Radio 2 with a special episode of Friday Night Is Music Night which was broadcast from The London Palladium.

He impacted the lives of thousands, whether that be through the launching of careers or his unending loyalty, generosity and unfaltering friendship and support.