Long-time Hasbro boss Brian Goldner, who established the games company in the film business with characters like the “Transformers” robots, has died.
The 58-year-old only announced at the weekend that he would be taking time out for medical treatment.
Goldner was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 and announced last year that he would continue to be treated for it.
The company did not name the cause of death on Tuesday.
Goldner has headed Hasbro since 2008.
The US group is behind the board game "Monopoly", the "Play-Doh" clay and "My Little Pony".
The expansion into the entertainment business helped Hasbro navigate the changing industry - kids are spending more and more time playing digital games.
The license for Disney toys for the “Star Wars” series and the “Marvel” cartoon characters was also a success.
The chief position at Hasbro was provisionally taken over by Rich Stoddart, a marketing expert and long-time member of the board of directors of the games company.