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Animator Bill Melendez Dies
4-Sep-2008
Written by: Joe Thomas
Creator of Pinocchio dies at 91 in Los Angeles.
Bill Melendez is known for making such characters as the “Peanuts” gang and “Pinocchio” come alive without any words necessary.
Melendez, born in Mexico, is responsible for “Snoopy’s” howls and bringing A Charlie Brown Christmas and other “Peanuts” specials to small screens nationwide. According to his publicist, he died on Tuesday at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif., at the age of 91.
Melendez began his career with the Walt Disney Company in 1938, where he worked on classics such as Fantasia. He moved to Warner Brothers in 1941 and brought characters such as “Bugs Bunny,” “Daffy Duck,” and “Porky Pig” from pen and paper to the television screen.
Melendez met Charles Schulz, the creator of “Peanuts,” in 1959 while creating a series of commercials for Ford Motor Company.
Melendez formed his own company with Lee Mendelson and produced, directed, and animated approximately 70 additional “Peanuts” TV specials as well as four movies and numerous commercials.
Melendez won six Emmy Awards and an Oscar in 1971. He is survived by his wife, Helen, two sons, six grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.
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