Roger Sweet, the former Mattel designer who birthed He‑Man, died Tuesday at 91. Sweet joined the toy maker in 1972 and, after a missed Star Wars licensing chance, sculpted a nine‑inch, shoulder‑broadening figure that launched the Masters of the Universe line in 1982. His creation anchored a franchise that still fuels new movies and toy releases.

Mattel sold more than 125 million Masters of the Universe toys in the first three years, a vital boost against rivals like Transformers and Voltron. Sweet later complained he earned only half‑salary bonuses while the line generated billions. He documented the dispute in his 2005 memoir, accusing executives of co‑opting his ideas and skimming credit.

The character’s cultural punch endures: a 2021 Netflix reboot, a 2024 live‑action film slated for June, and a fresh toy wave announced last month. Sweet, who left Mattel in 1991, still cherished He‑Man, even topping his wedding cake with the figure. His imprint keeps the franchise a lucrative asset for Mattel’s brand portfolio.

Born in Ohio in 1935 to an advertising art director, Sweet graduated from Chicago’s Institute of Design before entering Mattel. His memoir, *Mastering the Universe*, catalogued sketches and contracts that prove his central role. Industry observers credit his bold anatomy and narrative flair for shaping a billion‑dollar toy empire.