The founder of the company Playmates who would go on to sell many of the memorable action figures and play sets of 80s and 90s kids has passed away. Chan Tai-ho was 87.
“His wife called police after a domestic helper found Chan unconscious in bed at his luxury flat at Altadena House, Barker Road on The Peak shortly before 12.30pm,” the official report said. “He was taken to Ruttonjee Hospital in Wan Chai, where he was declared dead at 1.20pm.”
There was nothing suspicious about his death and he likely died of old age. Born in 1932, established Playmates in the city in 1966, running a factory in Tuen Mun. He would go on to establish a very profitable business relationship with many American properties such as “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Star Trek,” and “The Simpsons.”
If you think about your childhood there is one Hong Kong tycoon that you should thank profusely. And that is Chan Tai-ho. He was the founder of the company Playmates who went on to sell many of our childhood favorites. Including the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” line of toys. Remember the sewer and the minivan? How about Michelangelo shooting pizza disks? Yeah that was all Playmates.
