JACK FRIEDMAN

FRIEDMAN--Jack July 9, 1939 - May 3, 2010. Toy Pioneer Jack Friedman, who made his mark over his 50 year career with some of the most iconic playthings of our time, has died at the age of 70. Friedman, of Thousand Oaks, CA and originally from Queens, NY, was founder and Chairman for leading toymaker JAKKS Pacific, and founder of video game company THQ, Inc. Friedman launched some of the most successful toys in history, including the first movie toys for E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Michael Jackson dolls, wrestling action figures, Pac-Man plug it in and play TV Games and an array of innovative products for millions of children. Friedman died on Monday, May 3, 2010 from complications caused by a rare blood disease. He is survived by his wife Karen Friedman, and his children Brooke Porter and her husband Tom, and Tony Friedman, and his step children Shannon and Andrew Farrell. JAKKS CEO Stephen Berman said, "Jack was a legendary toymaker and a real titan in our industry. He dedicated his talents to JAKKS Pacific for 15 years, and he will be sorely missed." JAKKS Board of Directors said, "We are greatly saddened by the passing of Jack Friedman. He was a visionary leader who guided the Company with wisdom and keen judgment. Toys were his passion, and his legacy will live on in JAKKS Pacific." Friedman founded JAKKS Pacific in January 1995, and he served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer through March 31, 2010. Under his leadership, JAKKS has grown into a Top 5 US publicly traded diversified toy company. Before JAKKS, he led LJN Toys until its sale to MCA in 1985, and then went on to form THQ, Inc. in 1989 and led it until 1995. Friedman was a generous philanthropist and supporter of the Company's JAKKS Cares program, which has benefited organizations such as The Toy Industry Foundation, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, The Special Olympics, Feed the Children, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Marine Toys for Tots and more. Under the program, the Company has donated over $40 million worth of toys and school supplies to children around the world. Friedman was a proud yo-yo champion and avid golfer, and recently retired from his regular duties at JAKKS Pacific to spend more time with his family. The funeral will be held at the Forest Lawn South Mortuary in Davie Florida on Friday, May 7th and there will be a Memorial Service at the Malibu Jewish Center on Thursday, May 13th. In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Jack Friedman can be made to one of the following organizations: The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) - donations.toyindustryfoundation.org or research under the direction of Dr. Gary Schiller at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center - www.cancer.ucla.edu/giving