Ken Jillson

Ken Jillson

Beginning his writing career as a copywriter with Ogilvy & Mather and Young Rubicam Advertising, Ken and his partner Al Roberts founded Jillson & Roberts Gift Wrap in 1974,
with long-time friend Rock Hudson as it’s first shareholder. J & R thrives today and its products are sold nationwide as a well-respected high-end brand.

At the beginning of the AIDS crisis, Al and Ken, along with a group of community professionals, cofounded the AIDS Services foundation of Orange County to provide direct services to men, women, and children in Orange County, CA who were suddenly dying from AIDS. Now celebrating its 31st year, ASF continues to provide essential services and education to the Orange County HIV/AIDS community and is recognized nationally for its outstanding reputation.

Ken’s life-long passion for theatrical projects took center stage when he and Al and a group of friends launched “The Big Splash,” a backyard musical show that provided the seed money for ASF. Staged literally in their backyard around a pool, the annual all-volunteer show took on a hard-to-explain magical quality. Over the years, Ken was blessed to work with volunteer voice-over talents including Whoopi Goldberg, Bea Arthur, Dolly Parton, Kirk Douglas, Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Gregory Peck, Cher, Lauren Bacall, Merv Griffin, Phyllis Diller, Carrie Fisher, and Penny Marshall, sprinkling the show with a dusting of star power.

For twenty five years, Ken donated his time writing, producing, and directing the popular swimming-themed musical that raised over $10,000,000 for their foundation.

Broadway credits include co-producing the Charles Busch off-Broadway hit “Swingtime Canteen” which ran for over 300 performances at the Blue Angel on 44th Street. The show featured Busch’s humor and a heartwarming story wrapped around 20 classic war-era hit songs.

Ken is thrilled to watch his latest project, “FINAL ARRANGEMENTS”, the new to-die-for musical tm, jump off the page and come to life! Based on his many years of experience as a part-time funeral director as a “hobby”, and having funeral directed over fifty African-American funerals, the inspiration for his new musical struck like a bolt of lightning from Heaven!