Roger Sweet, the creator of the He-Man action figure that inspired the popular Eighties cartoon He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, died Tuesday after being diagnosed with dementia. He was 91.
Sweet was known for his work as the lead designer in Mattel’s Preliminary Design Department throughout much of the 1970s and Eighties.
His wife, Marlene, told TMZ that Roger died peacefully at his care facility on Tuesday morning, just months after she revealed his declining health and launched a GoFundMe to help cover the cost of his memory care. A cause of death has not been disclosed.
On the campaign page, which was posted in February, Marlene shared that she and Sweet had been married for 40 years. She explained that Sweet was moved to a memory care facility after suffering a fall that led to two brain bleeds and massive bruising, at which point he was “very disoriented” and confused.
“Unfortunately these care facilities are not covered by Medicare, and the cost for a patient in his condition is $10,200 a month, well above our monthly income,” Marlene shared.
“So I am reaching out to all the HE-MAN fans for help with these bills. Any donation will be greatly appreciated and will ease the burden of this new expense.”
The campaign has gone on to raise over $93,000, blowing past its $50,000 target.
Sweet is survived by his wife, Marlene.
More to follow
