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THQ Founder Jack Friedman Passes Away

by Ben Reeves on May 04, 2010 at 06:28 PM

2,094 Views

THQ founder and legendary video game businessman Jack Friedman passed away yesterday after several weeks of hospitalization. Freidman was 70 years old.

Though many gamers probably won’t recognize his name, it’s hard to say that Jack Friedman didn’t have a dramatic influence on the video game industry. In addition to founding game publisher THQ, Freidman helped start the NES-era game publisher LJN as well as the toy manufacturer Jakks Pacific. Older gamers might remember some of the intellectual properties THQ established as video games while under the leadership of Jack Freidman: Home Alone, The Flash, Swamp Thing, Ren & Stimpy, and Wayne's World.

"Jack was a legendary toymaker and a real titan in our industry," said JAKKS Pacific CEO Stephen Berman. "He dedicated his talents to JAKKS Pacific for 15 years, and he will be sorely missed."

Game Informer extends its best wishes to those who are mourning the loss of a friend and family member today.

via 1up.com

Email the author Ben Reeves, or follow on Twitter, Google+, Facebook, and Game Informer.

Filed under: News, THQ, Jakks Pacific, Jack Friedman, passes away, LJN

Comments

sort by date:

by Jingwei Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 06:34 PM

i can't even think of a witty comment
by Timothy Repasky Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 06:34 PM

RIP Jack
by The Roflcopter Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 06:39 PM

RIP Jack
by Dogfonos Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 06:42 PM

RIP
by Mike Yaden Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 06:43 PM

RIP we will miss ya bauddy
by Bloodstone86 Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 06:59 PM

Hoped he Saved the game.
by Bloodstone86 Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 06:59 PM

Hoped he Saved the game.
by Colton Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 07:01 PM

that's sad, but he's in a better place now

R.I.P.
by I Ran Over The Easter Bunny Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 07:04 PM

That can ruin your day.
Whats stupid is most of us had no idea who he was now hes dead and we are all like...oh thats who he is...

RIP
by Penguinguy Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 07:05 PM

thats really too bad thq was an amazing and great company
by fishfan5 Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 07:06 PM

Awwww poor guy.
by Kurt Thomas Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 07:28 PM

peace out jack, we'll see you in a bit. all respect and RIP
by doomsday1155 Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 07:44 PM

how sad...
by reducer584 Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 08:00 PM

It's sad and all, but really, I'd like to forget everything about is involvement in games.

No offense to the person, but LJN was a really bad gaming company, and the THQ games arn't that good, either.
by Therrook Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 08:02 PM

RIP Jack old friend

we will miss you :(
by Frank Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 08:24 PM

RIP
by timmah638 Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 08:26 PM

RIP Jack
by Brad Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 08:30 PM

Sorry Jack, your contributions to gaming were greatly appreciated.

Rest In Peace
by Psychedub Dude Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 08:31 PM

oh man, that sucks. =(
by Odd Samuel Tuesday, May 04, 2010 at 08:34 PM

@Reducer - I personally loved Red Faction: Guerrilla. Great game. Amazing engine for destructible environments. It's an extremely underrated game in my opinion.

RIP Mr. Friedman. See ya on the other side.