Condolences: Ken Kragen
• Ken Kragen, the well known Hollywood producer and onetime “mega-manager” of celebrities like Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, The Bee Gees, Olivia Newton-John, Burt Reynolds, The Smothers Brothers and Trisha Yearwood, and the key organizer of the talent behind the 1985 all-star charity song “We Are the World,” died of natural causes in his home in Brentwood, CA on Tuesday, Dec 14. He was 85 years old. Kragen’s death was confirmed to Variety by his spokesperson and friend Cheryl J. Kagan.
Kragen graduated from Harvard Business School before embarking on a career across film, television and music. His producer credits include The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, Kenny Rogers’ series of Gamblermovies and the 2004 feature The 12 Dogs of Christmas, adapted from his daughter Emma’s children’s book of the same name. Kragen also produced a portion of the 1992 inauguration of President Bill Clinton.
Kragen was a devoted humanitarian, and was awarded the United Nations’ peace medal for his contributions on “We Are the World” and “Hands Across America.” Kragen was also elected President of both The Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music, the only individual to ever be elected as leader of both organizations.
Kragen is survived by his wife of 43 years Cathy Worthington, his daughter Emma, his sister Robin Merrittand his son-in-law Zach Marion. In a statement, Emma said of her father, “While I am of course immensely proud of everything he has accomplished professionally, he has also been the best dad to me that I could have ever asked for.” The Ken Kragen Memorial Foundation is currently in development and will accept donations to charitable causes over the coming months. [Photo from IMDB / Eric Myer]
