Kenneth Feld
Kenneth Jeffrey Feld | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 31, 1948 |
| Occupation(s) | Entertainment executive, CEO of Feld Entertainment |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Known for | CEO of Feld Entertainment, managing Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, Monster Jam |
Kenneth Jeffrey Feld (born October 31, 1948) serves as the CEO of Feld Entertainment, a company that manages prominent live entertainment properties such as the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, Doodlebops Live, Disney Live, Monster Jam, International Hot Rod Association, and the AMA Supercross Championship. In addition to live events, he is involved in Broadway production. The enterprise was originally established by his father, Irvin Feld, who was known for promoting Beatles concerts. Ken took over as CEO following his father’s passing in 1984.
Biography
Born to Adele and Irvin Feld, Feld completed his studies at the Boston University School of Management in 1970 and currently holds a position on BU’s Board of Trustees. A 2004 Forbes profile valued his net worth at $775 million and identified his residence as Potomac, Maryland. After losing his mother in 1958, he and his sister Karen were brought up by family members.
The acquisition of Ringling Bros. Circus by Irvin Feld in 1967 for $8 million laid the groundwork for what would become Feld Entertainment’s expansion.
In 1989, Feld broadened his entertainment ventures by co-producing the Broadway show Largely New York in collaboration with Disney Studio.
His contributions to the circus industry were recognized with an induction into the Circus Hall of Fame in July 2006.
Between 1990 and 1997, Feld was involved in surveillance operations targeting journalists and animal rights organizations, including wiretapping efforts directed at critics such as PETA and the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).
By January 2014, Forbes estimated Feld’s wealth at around $1.8 billion, positioning him as the second billionaire within the circus sector after Cirque du Soleil’s Guy Laliberte. In 2009, the Feld Family Foundation made a $10 million donation to Boston University aimed at supporting endowed professorships.
Personal life
He was married to Bonnie Turen, who is also of Jewish heritage. Together, they have three daughters: Nicole, Alana, and Juliette Feld, each playing significant roles within Feld Entertainment. Nicole is responsible for producing the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performances; Alana holds the position of executive vice president and produces stage productions; Juliette acts as the chief operating officer.
External links
- Ringling Brothers Feld Leadership
- "How I Did It: Kenneth Feld, CEO, Feld Entertainment" Profile from August 2007 Inc. Magazine
- 1948 births
- Living people
- American billionaires
- American chief executives
- American entertainment industry businesspeople
- American people of Russian-Jewish descent
- Boston University School of Management alumni
- Businesspeople from Maryland
- American circus owners
- People from Potomac, Maryland
- Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus people