Audrey Skirball-Kenis
Encyclopedia
Audrey Skirball-Kenis was a noted American
philanthropist
.
Although raised in New York
, as the daughter of a Paris
-born mother, she spoke French at home until she began school. In 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor
was bombed, Audrey moved to California
to join the Signal Corps.
Audrey had two brief marriages that ended in divorce before marrying film producer and real estate developer Jack Skirball. The couple were deeply involved in philanthropy, largely in support of Reform Judaism
. They planned and funded the construction of the Skirball Cultural Center
. Jack died in 1985, shortly before the Center opened.
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.
A long-time horse racing fan, Audrey Skirball had joined with friends in 1972 to purchase a thoroughbred
, then established the 3 Plus U Stable, which became quite successful. Charles Kenis joined his new wife in this pursuit and became a founder and eventually director emeritus
of the Thoroughbred Owners of California
.
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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
philanthropist
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
.
Early years
Audrey Skirball-Kenis was born Audrey Marx in Alabama in 1915, daughter of Otto Marx, Sr., and Agnes Mosler Marx. Her father's banking business was an early tenant of the eponymous Brown Marx Building in downtown Birmingham, Alabama.Although raised in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, as the daughter of a Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
-born mother, she spoke French at home until she began school. In 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
was bombed, Audrey moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to join the Signal Corps.
Audrey had two brief marriages that ended in divorce before marrying film producer and real estate developer Jack Skirball. The couple were deeply involved in philanthropy, largely in support of Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
. They planned and funded the construction of the Skirball Cultural Center
Skirball Cultural Center
The Skirball Cultural Center is an educational institution in Los Angeles, California devoted to sustaining Jewish heritage and American democratic ideals. Open to the public since 1996, the Skirball Cultural Center is dedicated to exploring the connections between 4,000 years of Jewish heritage...
. Jack died in 1985, shortly before the Center opened.
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
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Originally established as Kaspare Cohn Hospital in 1902, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is a non-profit, tertiary 958-bed hospital and multi-specialty academic health science centre located in Los Angeles, California, US. Part of the Cedars-Sinai Health System, the hospital employs a staff of over...
, as well as being involved in a variety of other philanthropic projects.
A long-time horse racing fan, Audrey Skirball had joined with friends in 1972 to purchase a thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
, then established the 3 Plus U Stable, which became quite successful. Charles Kenis joined his new wife in this pursuit and became a founder and eventually director emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
of the Thoroughbred Owners of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
ASK
Audrey and Charles founded the non-profit Audrey Skirball-Kenis Theater Projects (ASK) in West Los Angeles. 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
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
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.
Death
Audrey Skirball-Kenis died on June 19, 2002, at age 87. She had two daughters, and two stepchildren. Charles Kennis died in Los Angeles on July 21, 2006.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