Similar to Barbie, Ken is from Willows, Wisconsin,[1] and has a fashionable line of clothing and accessories (although he made his debut wearing only a swimsuit).

Since his debut, Ken has held over 40 occupations, the latest being "beach" (standing in the sand and surveying the waves), as depicted in the 2023 Barbie film.

[4] Superstar Ken featured a dimpled smile, a head that could swivel, bent arms, a more muscular physique, jewelry, and underwear permanently molded to his body.

[citation needed] In February 2004, Mattel announced a split for Ken and Barbie, with Russell Arons, vice president of marketing at Mattel, saying that Barbie and Ken "feel it's time to spend some quality time – apart...Like other celebrity couples, their Hollywood romance has come to an end", though Arons indicated that the duo would "remain friends".

[5] In February 2006, however, a revamped version of the Ken doll was launched, though it was stated that his relationship with Barbie was still purely platonic.

The style of the doll was thought to resemble fashions and accessories worn by some segments of the gay community at the time, and "Earring Magic Ken" subsequently attained a cult following, becoming a collector's item.

[12] In October 2009, Mattel announced a new Palm Beach line which included a "Sugar Daddy Ken" doll aimed for adult collectors.

[15] Ken's body proportions have been described as unrealistic by scholarly studies (his chest is estimated to be about 27.5% too large for a representative human male).

[83] Atlanta rapper Kenyatta Lee Frazier Jr., known professionally as Ken Carson, got his name from the doll as he wanted to "live better than him".

[86] Gosling received widespread critical acclaim and various accolades for his performance, including a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.