Ron Friedman, Writer Behind G.I. Joe Revival and Optimus Prime’s Death, Dies at 93

Ron Friedman, a prolific television writer whose career spanned classic sitcoms and transformative animation, has died. He passed away on September 16 at 93. His wife, Valerie Friedman, confirmed the death was due to complications from an infection.

Friedman’s remarkable career included writing for shows like The Andy Griffith Show and All in the Family. He later reshaped 1980s pop culture by revitalizing G.I. Joe for Hasbro. His work left a lasting mark on millions of fans.

The Controversial Decision That Shocked a Generation

Friedman co-wrote the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie. The film featured a stunning plot twist. The heroic Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, was killed in battle.

According to Friedman, this was not his creative choice. He argued strongly against killing the iconic character. Hasbro executives, however, insisted on the move to introduce new toys.

The decision proved deeply unpopular. Children were reportedly heartbroken in theaters. The film underperformed at the box office, earning less than $6 million domestically. Friedman later published a book titled I Killed Optimus Prime (So Sue Me).

From Architecture to Award-Winning Television

Before Hollywood, Friedman worked as an architect. He even collaborated with Frank Lloyd Wright. A move to New York to write comedy changed his life.

He got his big break after writing for comedian Vaughn Meader. Legendary performer Danny Kaye saw his work and brought him to Los Angeles. Friedman soon earned an Emmy nomination for writing on The Danny Kaye Show.

His television credits are vast. They include Happy Days, Barney Miller, and Fantasy Island. He worked with industry giants like Norman Lear and Aaron Spelling for decades.

Ron Friedman’s legacy is cemented in both live-action and animation history. His work on Optimus Prime and G.I. Joe remains passionately discussed today. He shaped stories that entertained generations of viewers.

Dropping this nugget your way

Q1: What was Ron Friedman’s most famous work?

He is best known for reviving G.I. Joe in the 1980s. He also co-wrote the screenplay for *The Transformers: The Movie*. His television work includes many classic sitcoms from the 1960s and 1970s.

Q2: Why did Optimus Prime die in the 1986 movie?

Friedman stated that Hasbro executives demanded the character’s death. They wanted to clear the way for new Transformers toys and characters. The writer personally disagreed with the controversial decision.

Q3: What other animated shows did he work on?

Beyond G.I. Joe and Transformers, Friedman worked on series featuring the Fantastic Four and Iron Man. He also collaborated with Stan Lee on *The Marvel Action Hour* in the 1990s.

Q4: Did he win any awards for his writing?

Yes, he received an Emmy nomination in 1966 for his work on *The Danny Kaye Show*. He shared the nomination with other writers, including Paul Mazursky.

Q5: What did he do before becoming a writer?

Ron Friedman was a trained architect. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University and designed buildings for several years before transitioning to comedy writing.