​DECEMBER 31ST 1973

Jim Swearingen

Kenner Toy Designer

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Table MG08

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Jim Swearingen, the principal conceptual designer behind Kenner’s iconic Star Wars toy line, will be returning to ICCC this October. Swearingen will be engaging with collectors, meeting fans, and sharing more stories about his influential role in the vintage toy industry.

In 1976, Swearingen was part of Kenner's preliminary design group when his boss, Dave Okada, introduced him to a script and photos from a new movie called "Star Wars." After reading the script, Swearingen urged Okada to do the same. "We have to make these toys," he insisted. From 1976 to 1979, Swearingen dedicated himself to bringing Star Wars toys to life.

Kenner's Star Wars toys revolutionized the toy industry by shifting the focus to smaller action figures. Before this, action figures were typically foot-long dolls like the vintage G.I. Joe. The 3 3/4-inch Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia figures were inspired by mock-ups that Swearingen created from the company’s toy bin.

In addition to Star Wars, Swearingen worked on numerous other popular product lines at Kenner, including Play-Doh, Spirograph, Baby Alive, Care Bears, and Strawberry Shortcake. After leaving Kenner, he spent 15 years creating licensed products for films such as "Alien," "Jurassic Park," "Men in Black," and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."

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