Alan G. Hassenfeld, former CEO of Hasbro and whose family founded the
iconic toy maker, dies at 76
[July 10, 2025] By
ANNE D'INNOCENZIO
NEW YORK (AP) — Alan G. Hassenfeld, a renowned philanthropist and former
CEO of iconic toy company Hasbro Inc., the maker of G.I. Joe and Play-Doh,
has died. He was 76, according to the toy company.
Hasbro, the nation's second largest toy company behind Mattel based on
annual sales, declined to offer more details. Hassenfeld's family
foundation, Hassenfeld Family Initiatives, wasn't immediately available
to comment.
Hassenfeld was born in Providence, Rhode Island and graduated from
Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. He received an undergraduate arts
degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1970. Upon graduation, he
joined the Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based family business in 1970. Hasbro
was founded in 1923, by Hassenfeld’s grandfather, Henry. Known initially
as Hassenfeld Brothers, it sold textile remnants but expanded into
school supplies and later toy manufacturing under the Hasbro name in the
1940s, according to Hasbro's website. It went public in 1968.
Hassenfeld rose quickly in the family business serving as special
assistant to the president and worked his way up the rank s. He became
one of the key architects of Hasbro’s international operations and spent
extensive time traveling overseas. He was named executive vice president
in 1980 and became president in September 1984.
Hassenfeld labored for years in the shadow of his older brother Stephen.
His brother’s death of pneumonia in June 1989 at age 47, however, moved
Hassenfeld into the position of chairman and chief executive officer.
Hassenfeld stepped down as CEO in 2003 and in August 2005, he retired
from his chairman position and became emeritus chairman. He stepped away
from that role last year. Hassenfeld was the last family member to sit
on the board, according to Hasbro.
[to top of second column] |
 “All of us who have ever had any
connection to Hasbro today are mourning the profound loss of Alan
Hassenfeld, our beloved former Chairman & CEO, mentor, and dear
friend, ” Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks in an e-mailed statement to The
Associated Press. “Alan’s enormous heart was, and will remain, the
guiding force behind Hasbro — compassionate, imaginative, and
dedicated to bringing a smile to the face of every child around the
world. His tireless advocacy for philanthropy, children’s welfare,
and the toy industry created a legacy that will inspire us always.”
Hassenfeld was involved in many charitable and social causes both
nationally and locally in Rhode Island. His concerns ranged from
childhood hunger to issues involving refugee settlement in the
state. As chairman of the Hassenfeld Family Initiatives, he oversaw
the foundation's mission of globalizing safety and human rights
within the area of children’s products; empowering women in
developing countries; and enhancing the economy, education and
business opportunities in Rhode Island.
Hassenfeld was also founding benefactor of Hasbro Children’s
Hospital in Providence, and his family’s contributions helped to
establish the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute at Brown
University.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
