Roger Sweet, the creator of the iconic He-Man action figure, has died at the age of 91. According to TMZ, he passed away on Tuesday following a battle with dementia.
Sweet was the lead designer for Mattel's Preliminary Design Department in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1976, Mattel turned down a deal to produce toys for 'Star Wars', a decision that proved costly as Kenner Products reaped huge profits. Seeking to create a successful original action figure, Sweet experimented by gluing a Big Jim figure into a fighting stance and adding clay to its body. This prototype became He-Man, which he pitched to CEO Ray Wagner. The toy officially launched in 1982.
The following year, Mattel and Filmation launched the 'He-Man and the Masters of the Universe' cartoon, which ran for 130 episodes from 1983 to 1985. The show followed Prince Adam, who transformed into He-Man by uttering the iconic line, 'By the Power of Grayskull! I have the power.'
A new 'Masters of the Universe' film is set for release on June 5, starring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, alongside Camila Mendes, Jared Leto, Alison Brie, and Idris Elba.
