THQ Founder Jack Friedman Passes Away

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