For Those with a Yen for Ken
Ken Carson, Barbie's smiling, compliant boyfriend through decades of political, societal and cultural changes, turns 50 on March 11th.
Since 1961, Ken has regularly switched costumes, from red bathing trunks to disco trousers, but his youthful and strong body hasn't shown any signs of wrinkling. I wish I could say the same. But, according to his official biography, he never married Barbie, two years his junior, and she only wears wedding dresses "to please her audience." Hmm…she’s turning 52 and never been married. Now I don’t feel so bad.
Ken Carson was born March 11,1961. Named after the son of Mattel founders Ruth and Elliott Handler, Ken was the perfect boyfriend, a tool for girls to act out dream scenarios. He was skinny, pasty, not overly hunky, and he stood a half-inch taller than Barbie. You could purchase him for was $3.50 back then and today even the snazziest Ken is mere $20.00. Sounds like old Barbie was in control of the purse strings.
This is a big year for Ken, but he has more to celebrate than an anniversary.
Despite Barbie’s controlling ways, he proved to be elegant and smart. Ken has played many roles over the years, from being an entrepreneur, Olympian, to a pilot. New to his repertoire this year is that of a movie star. Ken played the character that truly depicted him and had a total of fifty costume changes. You go Ken!
In 2004, when Mattel noticed that little girls were less interested in Ken, so the toy company severed the couple's relationship, creating a new beau for Barbie. They introduced a hunky Aussie boogie-boarder named Blaine who looked like he spent his days hanging out at the tanning salon. Ken, all but disappeared from the dating scene and was replaced by this generic "Prince Charming" and "Surfer Dude"
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