In Memorium: "Peanuts" Animator Bill Melendez – VIDEO

Awwww…this makes me sad. Bill Melendez, who brought the Peanuts characters to life with such classics as A Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, died Tuesday at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica. He was 91.

Melendez held a very unique role in the history of Charlie Brown, because he was the only animator permitted by Charles M. Schulz to work with the Peanuts characters. Good choice, too! He earned eight Emmy Awards, 17 Emmy nominations, one Oscar nomination, and two Peabody Awards.

More after the jump, including a video clip…

But Charlie Brown and his pals weren’t the only ones to get the Melendez treatment. He began his career at Walt Disney Studios and worked on Pinocchio, Fantasia, Bambi, Dumbo and classic Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck cartoons. He then moved to Warners to animate Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and others.

His last credit was as a producer for the 2006 TV special “He’s A Bully, Charlie Brown.” What an enormous contribution he made to our lives. I’m sure he and Schulz, who passed away in 2000, are having a happy reunion right about now.

Image: Newscom.com