Toy designer Mark Taylor, known for his instrumental role in creating the look of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchises, has died at the age of 80.The creator's death was announced on social media by his wife, Rebecca Salari Taylor, who wrote, "Mark Taylor passed away peacefully this morning at home. I felt him say goodbye to this world as I held him in my arms for one final loving kiss." His passing was marked elsewhere on social media by fans and brands who shared Taylor's work, including sketches, photos and other images featuring the classic He-Man and TMNT franchises.
During Taylor's early career at Mattel, helped design packaging for Barbie. He then went on to create for the Masters of the Universe franchise, which Taylor has previously said was inspired by Cro-Magnon men and Vikings. In 1987, he helped design the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line for Playmates Toys.
Both He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles went on to enjoy highly successful television shows, spinoffs and lines of actions figures. They have both gone on to inspire other franchises that continue to air today.