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Stanley Weston
1933 - 2017
Stanley Weston
1933 - 2017
Obituary
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BORN
1933
DIED
2017
Stanley Weston Obituary
Weston was born April 1, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, and served in the U.S. Army after the end of the Korean War. After serving, he returned to New York to work for an advertising agency while pursuing an MBA through night classes.
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In 1963, he proposed the idea of a military action figure, marketed to young boys much the same way as the Barbie doll, which debuted in 1960, had been marketed to young girls. Weston credited toy inventor Larry Reiner with the articulated-figure concept; he pitched and sold the idea to the toy maker Hasbro, where creative director Donald Levine and toy designer Sam Speers developed it further. Hasbro eventually named the doll G.I. Joe and had an instant hit on their hands.
Although Hasbro paid him $100,000 for his creation, he never received a cut of the millions of dollars that the company made selling G.I. Joe dolls and related accessories including uniforms, military gear, mess kits, and more.
Weston had hoped to recapture the copyrights to his creation by filing a lawsuit against Hasbro. The copyrights are set to expire in 2020.
Stan Weston went on to start his own company, Leisure Concepts, and represented stars including Farrah Fawcett.
In a 2012 Huffington Post blog entry titled "My Brother Invented 'G.I. Joe.' Really!", Weston's brother Jay related an experience Stanley Weston had at a gathering:
"Stan once told me a story, about how he was introduced at a convention as 'The Father of G.I. Joe,' and a young boy came up to him and said, 'Thank you. Joe made me a better student and a better boy.' That’s probably worth more in the realm of heaven than any royalty.
"An interesting addendum: many years after this, Stan’s son, Brad Weston, was President of Production of Paramount Pictures, and put the movie G.I. Joe into development and production. It has been a huge success and the second film will be out shortly. I suppose that’s keeping it in the family."
32 Entries
François-Patrick Arteau
April 8, 2018
Though Mr. Weston is now gone, I can remember the famous toy line he has created: the G.I. Joe action figure line he made for Hasbro. I also remember him as the man behind Leisure Concepts (who would later be renamed 4Kids Entertainment and would produce cartoons like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Viva Pinata, before going bankrupt in 2012). As a licensor, a creator, Mr. Weston was such a marvelous toy/animation mastermind. I give my full condolences to his family and all his relatives. RIP Stan Weston (1933-2017), the man behind G.I. Joe and 4Kids Entertainment.
May 15, 2017
May the God of all comfort be with family and loved ones.
May 13, 2017
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Karla
May 12, 2017
My condolences to the Weston family. May you cherish the memories of your loved one and may you look forward to the day when you can be reunited with your resurrected loved one.
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Perry Freedman
May 12, 2017
To Barbara, Dean, Robin, and Susie: I am so sorry for your loss. I remember 'Stan as an incredibly nice man. Hope you are all well and thriving.
Robery Cohen
May 12, 2017
I met Stan on a vacation in St. Martin about 35 years ago. I was the son of a friend of his. I remember how kind he was and though I only spoke to him a few times after the vacation, I will always remember his friendliness and discussions we had about the future. He was special.
Sally Adlhoch
May 11, 2017
My deepest condelences to the Weston family.
Stan, You will always be the father of G.I. Joe you have touched so many lives including mine and I am so proud to be a part of your life. May you rest in peace my dearest Weston, you will be missed forever.
Sally Adlhoch
May 11, 2017
My deepest condelence to the Weston family.
Stan, You will always be the father of G.I. Joe you have touched so many lives including mine, may you rest in peace my dearest Weston, you will be missed forever.
Children all over the world
May 11, 2017
Thank You for many pleasurable memories and for enhancing our imaginations over the years.
May Father watch over all.
May 11, 2017
My sympathies to the Weston Family. May the God of all comfort be a source of encouragement during this difficult time. - 1 Peter 5:6-7
christian
May 10, 2017
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Stanley. Rest assured life is precious to our Creator. He promises to act in our behalf.
1 Corinthians 15:26
May 10, 2017
Jay, Weston Family,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your dear brother.
He made so many boys,
girls and grown-up happy.
Everyone had to have an
G.I. Joe action figure. They are still very popular and are being enjoyed. Praying for the family.
Vicki
May 10, 2017
I had a G.I. Joe in the early 1960's. He was my Barbie's boyfriend. Thank you for hours and hours of fun. RIP
CCC
May 10, 2017
With deepest sympathy on the loss of your loved one. May it comfort you to know that Stanley will return to the days of his youthful vigor as promised at Job 33:25.
H R
May 10, 2017
May the God of all comfort be with the family and friends of Stanley Weston during this time of loss.
May 10, 2017
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
T C
May 10, 2017
My deepest sympathies to the Weston family for the loss of Stanley. May God's Word strengthen you during this time of mourning. (Isa. 41:10,13)
Ezeko & Rossy
May 10, 2017
With heavy heart,our sympathy goes out to the family and friends . We share your pain, even the Almighty God does too. It is very comforting to know that our Creator sincerely cares for us. Do not hesitate in throwing your anxiety on him so that he may sustain you during this difficult time (1 Peter 5:6,7).
May 9, 2017
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your love one.
Carlotta
May 9, 2017
May the God of all peace bring comfort to the Weston family and friends at this difficult time.
May 9, 2017
Rest in peace.
Scott Chamberland
May 9, 2017
Rest in Peace
Barbara Weston
May 9, 2017
Condolences to all He lived his life as if there were no tomorrows. His own way.
Harry Simpson
May 9, 2017
Godspeed Stanley, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Rest Stanley, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Sharlene Milliman
May 9, 2017
Sincere sympathy's for your loss.
I'm not positive but I think I am related as my mother's maiden name is Weston and I saw this and I thought I should sign. R.I.P. Sir.
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