He‑Man’s Original Maker, 91

Roger Sweet was a toy designer who helped bring the muscular hero He‑Man to life, and he passed away at 91. Sweet’s career began in Ohio, where he studied design in Chicago before moving to California in 1972. There he joined Mattel, a company that had recently turned down a license from filmmaker George Lucas and decided to create its own intergalactic toy line aimed at young boys. Mattel’s research showed that the biggest hits were “barbarian fantasy, ” futuristic battles like Star Wars, and contemporary military themes such as GI Joe. Sweet worked with a team of designers to build the first prototypes of He‑Man, shaping a 9‑and‑a‑half‑inch figure into an action pose and adding extra mass to the shoulders. He also gave the character its now‑famous name.

The toy debuted in 1982 and quickly sold over 125 million units in the first three years. It sparked a franchise that included villains like Skeletor, sidekicks such as Battle Cat, and the sister hero She‑Ra. A cartoon series followed from 1983 to 1985, cementing He‑Man’s catchphrase “I have the power! ” and expanding his popularity. A live‑action film in 1987 failed to capture audiences, as newer lines like Transformers rose in prominence. Sweet stayed at Mattel for more than fifteen years and even helped design Barbie accessories. He retired in 1991, moving to Washington state where he met his wife Marlene. In later years, Sweet publicly criticized Mattel’s compensation practices and published a memoir in 2005 accusing the company of taking credit for his ideas. Despite these disputes, he remained active at fan conventions, sharing stories about the Masters of the Universe world. After Marlene launched a GoFundMe in February to help cover Sweet’s memory‑care costs, the campaign raised over $90 000 thanks to support from devoted fans. Sweet’s death follows his diagnosis with dementia, and he is survived by his wife.

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