Bill Doll
Bill Doll (1916 – March 2, 1979) was an American press agent, businessman, producer, and writer. He ran publicity for more than 200 Broadway shows, circuses, Mike Todd productions, and ice shows.
Bill Doll | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1916 Grafton, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | March 2, 1979 (aged 62–63) New Jersey, U.S. |
| Alma mater | West Virginia University |
| Occupations |
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| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Dorothy Morris (sister-in-law) |
Early life
Doll was born in Grafton, West Virginia.[1] He graduated from West Virginia University.[1]
Personal life
Doll married Caren Marsh Doll on September 28, 1950.[2] He had two sons, William Michael and Jonathan.[1]
Career
Doll started his career with brief reportorial stints in Grafton and on New York Herald Tribune.[1] He later wrote entertainment articles for The New York Times.[1] Doll established Bill Doll S. Company where he remained for nearly 30 years.[1] He became a publicist for stars including Mae West, Gypsy Rose Lee, Judy Garland, Ken Murray, Louis Armstrong, Spike Jones, Jack Benny, and Sally Rand.[1] Doll helped market diverse products, such as Silly Putty and sporting equipment made by the company headed by Ted Williams.[1] He helped promoted stunts as a dance by Bill Robinson 17 blocks down Broadway during the run of The Hot Mikado.[1] Doll produced a production, such as Top Banana, New Faces of 1952, a world tour of Porgy and Bess, The Saint of Bleecker Street, Anastasia, The Threepenny Opera, Waiting for Godot, Compulsion, A Taste of Honey, and Applause.[1] He also help to promote numerous films, such as Winged Victory (1944), La dolce vita (1960), Long Day's Journey Into Night (1962), and Mondo Cane (1962).[1] Doll was associated with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Touring Ice Shows, and Jones Beach Theater.[1] He retired to Lillian Booth Actors Home in Englewood after a stroke in 1976.[1]
Death
Doll died at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in New Jersey, United States, on March 2, 1979, due to cancer at age 63.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 "Bill Doll, Press Agent; Handled Mike Todd, Other Famous Figures". The New York Times. March 2, 1979. p. 28. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ↑ "Caren Marsh Wed to Bill Doll". The New York Times. September 30, 1950. p. 9.
