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Bill Doll

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bill Doll (1916 – March 2, 1979) was an American press agent, businessman, producer, and writer. He is known for publicized more than 200 Broadway shows, circuses and ice shows.

Bill Doll
Born1916 (1916)
DiedMarch 2, 1979(1979-03-02) (aged 62–63)
Alma materWest Virginia University
Occupations
  • Press agent
  • businessman
  • producer
  • writer
Spouse
(m. 1950)
Children2
RelativesDorothy Morris (sister-in-law)

Early life

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Doll was born in Grafton, West Virginia.[1] He graduated from West Virginia University.[1]

Personal life

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Doll was married to Caren Marsh Doll on September 28, 1950.[2] He had two sons, William Michael and Jonathan.[1]

Career

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Doll started his career by did brief reportorial stints in Grafton and on New York Herald Tribune.[1] He later wrote a numerous entertainment article on The New York Times.[1] Doll then established Bill Doll S. Company and publicized more than 200 Broadway shows, circuses and ice shows, including Mike Todd productions for nearly 30 years.[1] He also became a publicist for numerous stars, such as Mae West, Gypsy Rose Lee, Judy Garland, Ken Murray, Louis Armstrong, Spike Jones, Jack Benny and Sally Rand.[1] Doll also helped selling diverse products, such as Silly Putty and sporting equipment made by the company headed by Ted Williams.[1] He helped promoted such 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 promoted 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 Rinp, Ling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, The Touring Ice Shows, and the Jones Beach Theater.[1] He retired to Lillian Booth Actors Home in Englewood after suffering a stroke in 1976.[1]

Death

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Doll died at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in New Jersey, United States, on March 2, 1979, due to cancer at the age of 63.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Bill Doll, Press Agent; Handled Mike Todd, Other Famous Figures". The New York Times. March 2, 1979. p. 28. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  2. ^ "Caren Marsh Wed to Bill Doll". The New York Times. September 30, 1950. p. 9.
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Bill Doll at IMDb