Audrey Skirball-Kenis

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Audrey Skirball-Kenis (1915–June 19, 2002) was a noted American philanthropist.

1 Early years
2 ASK
3 Death
4 Sources

[edit] Early years

Audrey Skirball-Kenis was born Audrey Marks in Alabama in 1915. She was raised in New York, and in the 1940s moved to California. Audrey had two brief marriages that ended in divorce before marrying film producer Jack Skirball.

With Jack, Audrey planned and funded the construction of the Skirball Cultural Center.

She remained married to Jack until his death in 1985.

In 1987, Audrey married wine importer Charles Kenis. Together they established the Audrey Skirball-Kenis Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, as well as being involved in a variety of other philanthropic projects.

[edit] ASK

Audrey and Charles founded a non-profit group in West L.A. to help fund the theatre arts in Los Angeles called the Audrey Skirball-Kenis Theater Projects (ASK).

Audrey did not actively manage ASK, but Charles served as president of ASK's board of trustees.

In 1990, Audrey and Charles, through ASK, made a highly-publicized donation of $500,000 to the Los Angeles Arts Festival's theater and performance programs. The donation saved the festival from closing, and was ceremonially accepted in the Los Angeles mayor's office by Peter Sellers, the festival's director.

Soon, ASK emerged with a reputation as Los Angeles' primary funder of small new theatrical projects. In 2000, ASK spent and gave a total of $1.8 million dollars to charitable activities.

[edit] Death

Audrey Skirball-Kenis died on June 19, 2002, at age 87. She had two daughters, and two stepchildren.

[edit] Sources

Audrey Skirball-Kenis, Philanthropist, 87, Dies (Associated Press, June 25, 2002)
Turmoil and uncertainty rock an L.A. art mainstay, L.A. Weekly, June 14-20, 2002