Thursday, September 4, 2008

Another sad story... *R.I.P* Bill :'(


Bill Melendez, the voice of Snoopy and the animator mostly responsible for all the Peanuts cartoons, passed away on Tuesday.
He was 91 years old.

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 – September 3, 2008 – 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.

Melendez, the only animator permitted by Charles M. Schulz to work with the Peanuts characters, earned eight Emmy Awards, 17 Emmy nominations, one Oscar nomination and two Peabody Awards. Click below to read full story:
http://perezhilton.com/2008-09-03-rip-116#respond



From left to right: 1st row (Heath Ledger, Brad Renfro, Tim Russert, Jim McKay. 2nd row: George Carlin, Bernie Mac, Roy Scheider, Don LaFontaine. 3rd Row: Issac Hayes, Estelle Getty and Bill Melendez.)

~*IN LOVING MEMORY*~

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

A lot of interesting and known people have passed in a short time. Most of these folks were not the MOST known or the MOST disliked either.

A lot of behind the scenes faces have gone recently. We did not necessarily know what they looked like, but we knew their work.

Anonymous said...

I didn't know who animated the Charlie Brown specials. Well, he will be missed.

Mrs. Hairy Woman said...

That is sad.. I never knew that about "The Peanuts" Thanks for posting this..

That collage you posted is sad to see.. that many talented peole have passed this year.. some really great and other's I'm not so sure about.. it's sad nonetheless...

Tara said...

Who's the second one there, next to Heath Ledger?

Very sad to have heard about those deaths, some of them were so shocking, especially Heath Ledger's.

*Renee* said...

Evil-E: Exactly. Most of them were known for their work and incredible talent.

Alien: I didn't know either. I thought it was always Charles S. - didn't know he had a side kick but Bill was a cutie :).

Mrs. Hairy Woman: Yes, it's been a sad year with all the losses. Some were far too young to leave so soon.

Tara: That would be Brad Renfro. I loved him in the movie "Apt Pupil." He was only 25 years old. His cause of death was drug related.

laura b. said...

That was a really nice post, Renee. Lots of fine people gone and far too soon in some cases.

Churlita said...

Man, famous people are dropping like flies. Maybe it's good to be a nobody right now, huh?

Tara said...

Oh no, I had no idea that was Brad Renfro or that he died! I remember him when he was in "The Client" and "Ghost World". :(

*Renee* said...

Laura B: Thank you and yeah - it's very sad. Even when I watch the local news, I am often sad when I hear anybody who has gone away.

Churlita: I couldn't agree more!

Tara: Yeah :( I know! I read alot about him and from what I read (which isn't always true as we all know) he got into alot of trouble and drugs from having low self esteem and when he couldn't get certain acting jobs - it took a toll on him. In my eyes, I saw a powerful young actor with very high potential to go further on with his career.

David Amulet said...

Sniff sniff. Those cartoons were some of my best growing up memories.

Those, and the memories of fighting the Red Baron.