SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Bill Melendez, the animator who gave life to Snoopy, Charlie Brown and other “Peanuts” characters in scores of movies and TV specials, died Tuesday. He was 91.
A native of Mexico, Melendez spent nearly seven decades as a professional animator. He began in 1938 when he was hired by Walt Disney Studios and worked on Mickey Mouse cartoons and features such as “Pinocchio” and “Fantasia.” At Warner Bros., he worked on Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig and Daffy Duck shorts, then was a director and producer on more than 1,000 commercials and movies.
He went on to animate TV specials such as “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and was the voice of Snoopy, who never spoke intelligible words but issued expressive howls, sighs and sobs.
In all, his productions earned 19 Emmy nominations, including six awards.
