Friedman also founded toy company Jakks Pacific, who notably was in legal dispute with THQ over WWE licensing. He was a ”real titan”.
He passed away after being hospitalized for several weeks, at the age of 70. Friedman founded THQ in 1989 after having founded videogame publisher LJN in 1970. Investing $1m of his own money into THQ he became chief executive and president until 1995.
From there he founded his next company, Jakks Pacific, which is one of the most successful toy companies in the world. He was a major supporter of his company’s Jakks Care program which gave out more than $40m worth of toys and school supplies.
Friedman retired from Jakks a month ago, leaving his chairman and CEO position, to spend more time with his family.
”Jack was a legendary toymaker and a real titan in our industry,” says Jakks CEO Stephen Berman, reports Gamasutra. ”He dedicated his talents to Jakks Pacific for 15 years, and he will be sorely missed. On behalf of all JAKKS employees, we send our sincere condolences to his wife Karen and his children for their loss.”
The Jakks Care program supported The Special Olympics, Feed the Children, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and many more organisations. We’ve lost an amazing veteran.
