Roger Sweet, Creator of He-Man Action Figure, Dies at 91
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Roger Sweet, the creator of the iconic He-Man action figure, died Tuesday at age 91. His design, which launched in 1982, spawned the popular '80s cartoon series and a franchise that continues with a new film scheduled for release this year.
Facts First
- Roger Sweet died at 91 after a battle with dementia
- He created the He-Man action figure prototype by modifying a Big Jim figure
- The toy launched in 1982 and led to a cartoon series that aired 130 episodes
- A new 'Masters of the Universe' film is scheduled for release on June 5
- Sweet served as lead designer for Mattel's Preliminary Design Department in the 1970s and 1980s
What Happened
Roger Sweet, the creator of the He-Man action figure, died on Tuesday at the age of 91 after a battle with dementia. Sweet served as the lead designer for Mattel’s Preliminary Design Department during the 1970s and 1980s. To develop a prototype for He-Man, Sweet glued a Big Jim action figure into a fighting stance and added clay to the body for bulk. He pitched the prototype to then-CEO Ray Wagner, and the He-Man action figure officially entered markets in 1982.
Why this Matters to You
If you grew up in the 1980s, you may have fond memories of the He-Man toys or cartoon. The franchise Sweet created remains culturally relevant, with a new film adaptation scheduled for release soon. This could mean renewed interest in classic toys and characters for collectors or fans.
What's Next
The He-Man franchise is being rebooted with an upcoming action film titled 'Masters of the Universe.' The film is scheduled to be released in theaters on June 5, featuring a cast including Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man and Jared Leto as Skeletor. This suggests the character and world Sweet created will continue to reach new audiences.