After all the Barbie 50th birthday hoopla last year and well into this, prepare yourself for more of the same for her ‘arm candy’ Ken. In less then 6 months he too will be celebrating the big 5-0 and to celebrate here are some fun Ken facts:
- His full name is Ken Carson
- Ken® is named after the son of Mattel founders Ruth and Elliott Handle
- Ken® is a Pisces — his “official birthday” is March 11, 1961
- Ken® is two years and two days younger than Barbie
- Ken® is from Willows, Wisconsin
- Ken® stands 12” tall, 1⁄2” taller than Barbie
- In 1961, a Ken® doll sold for $3.50
- The first Ken® doll wore red swim trunks, sported cork sandals and carried a yellow towel
- In 1961, two versions of Ken® doll were launched with “molded” plastic hair — blond and brunette
- In 1973, Ken® debuted a new “real” rooted hairstyle
- Ken® has a younger brother, Tommy® (1997)
- Ken’s best friend is AlanTM, the husband of Midge®
- Ken® met Barbie® on the set of their first television commercial together in 1961
- Barbie® and Ken® broke up on Valentine’s Day in 2004
- Ken® received a makeover by celebrity stylist Phillip Bloch in 2006
- In Summer 2010, Ken® made his big screen debut in Toy Story 3, which included more than 50 costume changes
- Ken® has an official Facebook page and Twitter handle
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