Toymaker Hasbro announced Tuesday that its longtime chief executive, Brian Goldner, has died, just two days after he took medical leave.
Goldner, 58, had been serving as CEO since 2008. He joined the business in 2000 and became chairman of Hasbro’s board in 2015. Goldner also served as a director on the ViacomCBS board.
Rich Stoddart, most recently the lead independent director of Hasbro’s board, was appointed as interim CEO when Goldner took medical leave.
“Since joining the company more than two decades ago, Brian has been the heart and soul of Hasbro,” Stoddart said in a statement. “As a charismatic and passionate leader in both the play and entertainment industries, Brian’s work brought joy and laughter to children and families around the world.”
In August 2020, Goldner disclosed that he had been undergoing continued medical treatment for cancer since 2014.