William "Bill" David Cunningham

William David Cunningham January 2, 1927- July 15, 2023 Legendary agent and founder of CESD Talent Agency, William David Cunningham has died. Bill, as he is fondly remembered, passed away Saturday July 15, 2023, at his home in West Hollywood, California at the age of 96. Born in Butchertown, San Francisco, the youngest of six children during the Great Depression, Bill spent much of his childhood scavenging the streets for empty bottles and selling papers door to door, always earning enough money for a five-cent ticket to the movie theater. With an undying love for the silver screen and putting on a show, summer evenings were spent on his front stoop singing aloud to anyone who would listen. Bill eventually found his way to Hollywood, but not before following in his brothers’ footsteps. Enlisting at just 17, Bill joined the United States Navy which led to his active service in World War II, aboard the PGM11 minesweeper craft. Much to his delight, he would soon find the Fort Emory Drum and Bugle Corp sign-up sheet- so began his love of entertaining. Touring with his fellow sailors, he captivated audiences all over the Pacific. After getting his start on NBC’s Voices of Walter Schumann and The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show, Bill sang on numerous motion picture soundtracks for Fox, Paramount, Warner Bros - as well as various commercials, notably, the original voice and crooner of Ken, Barbie’s boyfriend, for Mattel Toys. Bill’s talents brought him alongside Dinah Shore and on tour with Judy Garland. His debut album titled; I’m Always Chasing Rainbows was financed by entertainer Fred Astaire who famously enjoyed dancing endlessly to Bill's voice. In 1963, At the encouragement of his dear friend, singer Peggy Taylor, Bill invested his life savings into starting Pacific Artists Agency, one of the first talent agencies in Los Angeles, located at Crossroads of the World on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood. He started by creating an LP of his voice- over actors (10 in total) and a book of headshots with handwritten bios and dropped them off- in person to the producers of the top ad agencies in town. By 1967, Pacific Artists became Cunningham & Associates and by 1971, the company's success led him to open a second office in New York followed by a third in Chicago the same year. In just a few short years, Cunningham & Associates, now known as CESD, would be the most successful, bi-coastal commercial/VO talent agency in the business. From his humble beginnings to his highly successful talent agency, Bill has consistently credited the agency’s rapid and continued success to the wonderful and talented people he worked with and is forever grateful to each of them. Retiring in 1989, Bill never tired. An avid tennis player, he continued to nourish his friendships with his famous long lunches, counseling and advising his many friends and former clients on their careers or whatever their needs may be (no office needed) but most importantly, sharing with those interested, his profound love and studies of raising spiritual and philosophical consciousness. “I only wish that everyone could experience the blessed state of human connectedness.” In 2014, Bill published his autobiography I Wonder What Became of Me. He remained ‘Gumba’ to his cherished Gumbarrettes, godfather to Zachary, Uncle Bill to Kirk, Kevin and Kristen, Janet, Barbara and Debbie, and godfather to David, Lucy and Annabelle Liljegren – their beloved Poppi – to whom his abundant love and undeniable spirit will live on forever. He is preceded in death by his beautiful daughter Lynn Marie Cunningham.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/sherman-oaks-cremation for the Cunningham family.