Kenny Kassel - Rest in Peace

For the second time in three months, the industry lost one of its finest people; following the sudden death of Steve Stone at the Olympia in September, close friend Kenny Kassel was found dead in his New Jersey home from congestive heart failure on Wednesday morning. Kenny Kassel was a long time friend of mine for 25 years, a great man and a significant figure in the sport of bodybuilding, figure and fitness. Kenny is survived by his mother Mimi and sister Karul.

About Kenny Kassel

Kenny Kassel was involved in the health and fitness industry for approximately 30 years and in the entertainment industry for over 15 years. After starting a gym on the east coast, Kenny Kassel began training many bodybuilders. Kenny subsequently began specializing in the training, advising, mentoring and representing female bodybuilders, fitness and figure models.

Kenny Kassel's foray into the entertainment industry began when he started Beauti-Fit Talent Agency, based out of Teaneck New Jersey in order to start and nurture the careers of model Raye Hollitt, who became a star of the popular television show "American Gladiators." Since that time Kenny Kassel managed and/or helped the careers of many female figure, fitness and bodybuilding stars, as well as a few notable male bodybuilding stars. In the early 1990s , Kenny Kassel was introduced to Don "the dragon"  Wilson, a martial arts expert and film action star.  Don had needed some fitness people for an upcoming film, and Kenny Kassel was able to provide what he needed. Their friendship turned into an opportunity, when Don asked Kenny Kassel to be his business manager. 

• IFBB & NPC Official,
• Show Promoter (Kenny Kassel and partner Bob Bonham, of Strong & Shapely Gym fame, pioneered strength and physique competitions for women with their Women’s Strength Extravaganza, which they promoted in New Jersey in the ’90s and early 2000s to support Female Bodybuilding),
• Seminar Promoter - dispensing information about how to market yourself, and how to break into the entertainment industry
• Writer,
• Prof. Announcer,
• Talent Manager,
• Casting Agent,
• Owner of Beautiful Talent Agency,
• Mentor for many women who compete in fitness/figure/bodybuilding.

Memorial Service for Kenny Kassel

Memorial services were held for Kenny Kassel on Sunday December 28, 2008 at the Temple Beth El located at 221 Schraalenburgh Road Closter, New Jersey. Temple Beth El is the temple Kenny Kassel attended as a child. The Rabbi did a fantastic job of replaying events in Kenny Kassel's life and she spoke with sincerity and hope.

In Judaism, shiv'ah or shiva (Hebrew: שבעה ; "seven") is the week-long period of grief and mourning for the seven first-degree relatives: father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, and spouse. (Grandparents and grandchildren are not included). As most regular activity is interrupted, the process of following the shiv'ah ritual is referred to as sitting shiva. Shiva is part of a suite of customs for bereavement in Judaism.

Kenny Kassel was blessed to have such a warm and caring family. Mimi (His mother), his cousins, second cousins, his sister (Karul) and brother in law were all so wonderful. It was awesome to see Kenny Kassel's family all come together in such a loving way to commemorate Kenny's life.

The memorial candle that burns throughout Shiva was light in Kenny Kassel's honor. It was a constant reminder of the light Kenny brought into the lives of those who knew him.  Kenny Kassel's life was an example of service, and example that love is not love until it is giving away. There is not a man who loved and cared as much as he did. He is forever cherished in our hearts and our memories and he is missed dearly.

West Coast Celebration of Kenny Kassel

Jeff Behar will arrange an evening for Kenny Kasel''s west coast friends to meet and celebrate, break bread and hold a glass in the air and share these stories in a personal setting to celebrate Kenny Kassel.

The evening of celebration will be either the Friday before the Ironman in LA next month at a location to be determined in the next 2 weeks....and/or a get together at one of Kenny Kassel's favorite places in the LA area, the Baked Potato, a noted night club for Hollywood celebrities. Whenever Kenny Kassel was it town he tried to grab a visit to this fave place of his. The night spot is located at 3787 Cahuenga Blvd West. Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 980-1615.

Online Tribute to Kenny Kassel

For the many friends of Kenny Kassel from around the WORLD that were not be able to attend the funeral MuscleMagFitness created an online memorial for Kenny Kassel. 

How to Add Your Comments and Pictures to the Kenny Kassel Online Memorial

• Start a thread and post your stories, and share your experiences about this great man with others here.
• Email your pictures and experiences to Jeff Behar at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .