Sad News for Peanuts Fans

Bill Melendez, coproducer/creator of classic PEANUTS TV specials including A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS and IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN, has passed away at the age of 91.

Melendez worked on the PEANUTS series as producer, director, animator and even voiceover artist; he provided the sounds for Snoopy.

Melendez began his career with Walt Disney, where he worked on FANTASIA and DUMBO, among other productions. He later worked at UPA where his work included GERALD MCBOING-BOING. (A side note: THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, reviewed last weekend, featured UPA animation sequences.)

J.C. Loophole at The Shelf has posted a tribute.