Legendary Animator and Voice of Snoopy Bill Melendez Dies at 91 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 09-03-2008, 08:45 AM

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Oscar® Nominated and Emmy® Award Winning Animator and Director Bill Melendez Dies

Spending more than 70 Years in the Entertainment Industry Bill Melendez is Best Known for Giving the Peanuts Characters Life Including Classics: “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bill Melendez, considered a pioneer in animation and best known for bringing the PEANUTS characters to life, died early Tuesday morning September 2nd at St. John’s hospital in Santa Monica. Doctors say Melendez died “peacefully.” He was 91 years old preparing to celebrate his 92nd birthday in November.

With his trade mark handle bar mustache, Melendez was a phenomenal talent whose unique style and distinct sense of humor inspired a generation.

Melendez began his career at Walt Disney Studios. As a talented young animator he worked on Pinocchio, Fantasia, Bambi, Dumbo and classic Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck cartoons.

Years later, Melendez expanded his resume when he moved to Warner Bros. to animate other famous cartoons such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig.

In 1948 Melendez left Warner Bros. and over the next decade and a half he served as a director and producer on more than 1,000 commercials and films for United Productions of America (UPA), Playhouse Pictures and John Sutherland Productions. It was at UPA that Melendez started doing work for New York-based J. Walter Thompson ad agency, whose clients included Ford Motor Co. The car maker expressed interest in using PEANUTS characters to sell its cars on television. In 1959 Melendez prepared his animation work and showed it to PEANUTS creator Charles M. Schulz.

A partnership and friendship followed and as a result, Melendez gave the PEANUTS kids life in more than 63 half-hour specials, five one-hour specials, four feature films and more than 372 commercials. Favorites include “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” “She’s a Good Skate Charlie Brown,” and “You’re a Good Sport Charlie Brown.” In addition to creating the cartoons, Melendez also provided the voices for Snoopy and Woodstock.

Over the years, Melendez also animated “Garfield on the Town,” “Cathy,” “Babar Comes to America,” and “The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe,” among others.

Melendez, who was the only animator allowed to work with the PEANUTS characters, won numerous awards and accolades including: 17 Emmy Award nominations and eight (8) Emmy® Award wins, one (1) Oscar® Award nomination, two (2) Peabody Awards, one (1) Clio, three (3) National Cartoonist Society Awards, and more than 150 Advertising Awards.

Under the leadership of his son and other trusted executives, Bill Melendez Productions, Inc., its sister studio Melendez Films in London and Sopwith Productions (Melendez’s art distribution unit) will continue to animate, direct and produce features and commercials.

Born Jose Cuautemoc in 1916 in Sonora, Mexico, his family moved to Arizona in 1928 and then to Los Angeles in the early 1930s. Melendez trained at the Chouinard Art Studio (now CalArts) and is a former faculty member of the Cinema Arts Department at USC.

Melendez is survived by his wife of 68 years Helen, two sons Steven Melendez and (Ret.) Navy Rear Admiral Rodrigo Melendez, six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. A memorial service will take place for family only.

Donations can be made in Bill Melendez’s name to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Zoneboy · 09-03-2008, 08:54 AM

Don LaFontaine

Jerry Reed

Bill Melendez

TJL · 09-03-2008, 09:53 AM

What a shame. He was the driving force behind the Peanuts TV specials.

Brian Damage · 09-03-2008, 01:53 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Bill

catlover79 · 09-03-2008, 01:56 PM

MrCleveland · 09-03-2008, 02:53 PM

Good Greif!

If there's a new Peanuts Special coming soon (which is now very unlikely), let me know so I can try out for the voice of Snoopy.

But...even if they did do one, Frank Welker would be the guy.

tv star collector · 09-03-2008, 03:49 PM

Another sad day for Peanuts fans.

R.I.P., "Snoopy."

Schmoopie · 09-04-2008, 12:29 AM

Oh, this is the saddest news of all! My husband and I met Bill Melendez in 2000 when we were on a Peanuts-themed cruise (yes, you read that right) of the Caribbean! He was very, very nice and it's terrible to think that he's gone! My husband will be devastated when he hears this news!

Andrea

veggie-tari-jenn · 09-07-2008, 09:37 PM

Not Really a Peanuts Fan....but sorry to hear this.

Schmoopie · 10-05-2009, 01:26 PM

Wow, I didn't realize it had been over a year since Bill Melendez died! I just posted something a few minutes ago about seeing Bill Melendez in person and about his passing several months ago. The next new Peanuts special just won't be the same without Snoopy's original voice!

09-03-2008, 08:45 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,378	Legendary Animator and Voice of Snoopy Bill Melendez Dies at 91 Link Oscar® Nominated and Emmy® Award Winning Animator and Director Bill Melendez Dies Spending more than 70 Years in the Entertainment Industry Bill Melendez is Best Known for Giving the Peanuts Characters Life Including Classics: “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bill Melendez, considered a pioneer in animation and best known for bringing the PEANUTS characters to life, died early Tuesday morning September 2nd at St. John’s hospital in Santa Monica. Doctors say Melendez died “peacefully.” He was 91 years old preparing to celebrate his 92nd birthday in November. With his trade mark handle bar mustache, Melendez was a phenomenal talent whose unique style and distinct sense of humor inspired a generation. Melendez began his career at Walt Disney Studios. As a talented young animator he worked on Pinocchio, Fantasia, Bambi, Dumbo and classic Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck cartoons. Years later, Melendez expanded his resume when he moved to Warner Bros. to animate other famous cartoons such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig. In 1948 Melendez left Warner Bros. and over the next decade and a half he served as a director and producer on more than 1,000 commercials and films for United Productions of America (UPA), Playhouse Pictures and John Sutherland Productions. It was at UPA that Melendez started doing work for New York-based J. Walter Thompson ad agency, whose clients included Ford Motor Co. The car maker expressed interest in using PEANUTS characters to sell its cars on television. In 1959 Melendez prepared his animation work and showed it to PEANUTS creator Charles M. Schulz. A partnership and friendship followed and as a result, Melendez gave the PEANUTS kids life in more than 63 half-hour specials, five one-hour specials, four feature films and more than 372 commercials. Favorites include “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” “She’s a Good Skate Charlie Brown,” and “You’re a Good Sport Charlie Brown.” In addition to creating the cartoons, Melendez also provided the voices for Snoopy and Woodstock. Over the years, Melendez also animated “Garfield on the Town,” “Cathy,” “Babar Comes to America,” and “The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe,” among others. Melendez, who was the only animator allowed to work with the PEANUTS characters, won numerous awards and accolades including: 17 Emmy Award nominations and eight (8) Emmy® Award wins, one (1) Oscar® Award nomination, two (2) Peabody Awards, one (1) Clio, three (3) National Cartoonist Society Awards, and more than 150 Advertising Awards. Under the leadership of his son and other trusted executives, Bill Melendez Productions, Inc., its sister studio Melendez Films in London and Sopwith Productions (Melendez’s art distribution unit) will continue to animate, direct and produce features and commercials. Born Jose Cuautemoc in 1916 in Sonora, Mexico, his family moved to Arizona in 1928 and then to Los Angeles in the early 1930s. Melendez trained at the Chouinard Art Studio (now CalArts) and is a former faculty member of the Cinema Arts Department at USC. Melendez is survived by his wife of 68 years Helen, two sons Steven Melendez and (Ret.) Navy Rear Admiral Rodrigo Melendez, six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. A memorial service will take place for family only. Donations can be made in Bill Melendez’s name to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads. Last edited by Zoneboy; 09-03-2008 at 09:23 AM.

09-03-2008, 08:54 AM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,378	And That Makes Three. Don LaFontaine Jerry Reed Bill Melendez

09-03-2008, 09:53 AM	#3
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	What a shame. He was the driving force behind the Peanuts TV specials.
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09-03-2008, 01:53 PM	#4
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Bill Attached Images
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09-03-2008, 01:56 PM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376
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09-03-2008, 02:53 PM	#6
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,223	Good Greif! If there's a new Peanuts Special coming soon (which is now very unlikely), let me know so I can try out for the voice of Snoopy. But...even if they did do one, Frank Welker would be the guy.
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

09-03-2008, 03:49 PM	#7
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	Another sad day for Peanuts fans. R.I.P., "Snoopy."

09-04-2008, 12:29 AM	#8
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Oh, this is the saddest news of all! My husband and I met Bill Melendez in 2000 when we were on a Peanuts-themed cruise (yes, you read that right) of the Caribbean! He was very, very nice and it's terrible to think that he's gone! My husband will be devastated when he hears this news! Andrea
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

09-07-2008, 09:37 PM	#9
veggie-tari-jenn SARCASTIC COUPON PRINCESS!! Eternal Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 13, 2008 Posts: 1,882	Not Really a Peanuts Fan....but sorry to hear this.

10-05-2009, 01:26 PM	#10
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Wow, I didn't realize it had been over a year since Bill Melendez died! I just posted something a few minutes ago about seeing Bill Melendez in person and about his passing several months ago. The next new Peanuts special just won't be the same without Snoopy's original voice!