Hassenfeld was third generation of his family to lead Hasbro, which was established in 1923 as Hassenfeld Brothers. He began working at Hasbro in 1970, and rose up through the ranks to become President of the company in 1984. In 1989, he became the CEO and chairman of Hasbro. He was CEO until he stepped down in 2003, and chairman until 2008.
As head of Hasbro, he expanded the company's portfolio. His two most significant acquisitions were of Kenner Company, the makers of Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Batman toys, in 1991 and the purchase of Wizards of the Coast, makers of Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, in 1999. Hassenfeld was also a philanthropist, a founding benefactor of Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, and he established the Hassenfeld Family Initiative nonprofit organization.
He passed away at age 76. ICv2 would like to extend its condolences to the Hassenfeld family on their loss.
