Who was Bill Kenwright: Everton chairman was a theatre icon, who produced films starring Hollywood actors Cillian Murphy and Michelle Pfeiffer, before buying his boyhood Premier League club

• Everton have confirmed that club chairman Bill Kenwright has died aged 78 
• He was appointed the chairman in place of Sir Phillip Carter in 2004 
• Kenwright was also one of the country’s leading theatre producers 

Everton have confirmed that club chairman and legendary theatre producer Bill Kenwright has died aged 78.

He was one of the country’s leading theatre producers and had been on the board at Goodison Park since 1989.

In the summer of 2004, he was appointed the chairman in place of Sir Phillip Carter. He was persuaded to stay on in the role earlier this year by Farhad Moshiri, who Kenwright sold his stake to in 2016.

Kenwright had undergone surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his liver back in August. Complications during surgery had led to Kenwright spending a prolonged period in an intensive care unit, before he recently returned home.

Mail Sport breaks down everything you need to know about Bill Kenwright.

Everton have confirmed that club chairman Bill Kenwright has died at the age of 78

In 2004, Kenwright was appointed chairman of his boyhood club in place of Sir Phillip Carter

Who was Bill Kenwright?

Born in Liverpool in 1945, he had been inspired by Everton centre forward Dave Hickson during his youth.

Despite having a true love for football, Kenwright made his breakthrough in the acting industry. 

He was cast in Granada TV’s ‘The Villains’ at the age of 18, before appearing in several West End musicals. 

In 1968, Kenwright was asked to join the cast of Coronation Street, but decided to leave to soap at the conclusion of his 12 month contract. 

Kenwright instead transitioned into theatre production with his company Bill Kenwright Ltd becoming one of the most prolific in the world. 

He produced Willy Russell’s long running hit Blood Brothers and was responsible for Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita. 

His films include Cheri directed by Stephen Frears starring Michelle Pfeiffer; The Day After the Fair; Stepping Out; Don’t Go Breaking My Heart; Sundance Festival award winner Die Mommie Die; and The Purifiers. 

The producer was honoured with a London Theatre Critics’ Award for West Side Story at the Shaftesbury Theatre, while he received a Tony Award for Blood Brothers on Broadway.

Kenwright had been inspired by Everton centre forward Dave Hickson during his youth

Kenwright enjoyed a legendary career as a West End theatre producer after transitioning from acting, pictured attending the World Premiere of his company’s film Off the Rails

Kenwright was awarded a CBE for his services to film and theatre in the 2001 New Years Honours List.

As alluded to, he had been on the board at Goodison Park since 1989.

He was made deputy chairman after buying a 68 per cent majority share of the club from Peter Johnson in 1999.

In the summer of 2004, he was appointed chairman in place of Sir Phillip Carter.

Just a year later, he saw the Toffees secure a place in the Champions League qualifiers under David Moyes – which ended a near 10-year wait for a return to European competition.

He was persuaded to stay on in the role earlier this year by Farhad Moshiri, who Kenwright sold his stake to in 2016. 

The long-serving chairman has been instrumental in the running of Everton, pictured announcing Roberto Martinez as the club’s manager in 2013

Kenwright sold his majority stake in Everton to Farhad Moshiri in 2016 but remained chairman

Was Kenwright married?

He had been in a long-term relationship with actress Jenny Seagrove, following a two-year marriage to Anouska Hempel.

Kenwright had one daughter from a previous relationship with Virginia Stride, as well as two grandchildren.

Kenwright had been in a long-term relationship with the actress Jenny Seagrove (left)

What’s been said on his death?

Everton released the following statement regarding his death: ‘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’s longest serving chairman for more than a century, Bill Kenwright led the Club through a period of unprecedented change in English football.

‘A lifelong Evertonian, he became a board member on October 23, 1989, and then on Boxing Day 1999 his True Blue Holdings consortium acquired the Club. Initially vice-chairman, he succeeded his close friend Sir Philip Carter as Chair in 2004.

‘In his 19 seasons as Chairman, the Club secured 12 top eight finishes, including a top four finish in 2005, a run to the 2009 FA Cup final and European qualification on 6 separate occasions.

‘The club has lost a chairman, a leader, a friend, and an inspiration. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Everton are with his partner Jenny Seagrove, his daughter Lucy Kenwright, grandchildren and everybody who knew and loved him.’

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