CHARLIE Brown voice actor Peter Robbins has passed away.
Robbins' family last night confirmed that he died by suicide last week.
The actor had previously spoken publicly about his battles with bipolar disorder, and was released from prison in 2019 after serving four years for sending threatening letters to the manager of a mobile home park where he lived.
Robbins started voicing Charlie Brown in 1963, appearing in several Peanuts cartoons.
His love for the character was so strong that he got a tattoo of Charlie Brown and his pooch, Snoopy, on his arm.
Robbins was also a child actor, working professionally by the age of seven. He appeared in episodes of The Munsters as Elmer but landed his iconic role as Charlie Brown when he was nine.
Read our Peter Robbins' blog for the latest news and updates...
You’re not alone
SUICIDE is the 10th leading cause of death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Leading Causes of Death Report from 2018.
There were "more than two and half times as many suicides" in the US than there were homicides, according to the report.
For people ages 10 and 34, suicide was the "second leading cause of death" and the fourth for individuals ages 35 to 54.
Suicide is a vital health concern in the U.S. It affects all genders, races and ages.
This is why The-Sun.com launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The campaign calls on readers to discuss their mental health issues with their family, friends and health professionals. We can all pitch in to help out others who may be suffering and help save lives.
If you are struggling to cope, you are not alone. There are many free and confidential programs in the US aimed to help those who are struggling with their mental health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health problems, these organizations are here to provide support:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org, 1-800-273-TALK
- Crisis Text Line, www.crisistextline.org, Text HOME to 741741
- Veterans Crisis Hotline, www.veteranscrisisline.net, 1-800-273-8255
- Trevor Project, www.thetrevorproject.org, 1-866-488-7386
- Jennifer Korn
Phil Bauer payes tribute
The Fox5 anchor tweeted a tribute to Peter Robbins, along with photos.
"May he rest in peace and soar in heaven," wrote Bauer.
- H. J. Hayes
Peter Robbins on his tattoo’s symbolism
Speaking to Fox 5 San Diego, Peter told the station that his Charlie Brown tattoo represented a significant shift in his perspective.
“It’s a symbol to me of refurbishing my life,” Robbins said.
“I don’t have any animosity towards anybody.”
- H. J. Hayes
What illness did Peter Robbins suffer from?
Peter Robbins reportedly suffered from bipolar disorder.
“I would recommend to anybody that has bipolar disorder to take it seriously because your life can turn around in a span of a month like it did to me,” Robbins told Fox 5 San Diego.
- H. J. Hayes
How did Peter Robbins die?
According to a statement by Peter’s family, he died by suicide at the age of 65.
In the announcement, which came late on January 25, the family said Peter died “last week.”
An exact date was not given, and the family requested privacy as they mourn.
- H. J. Hayes
Peter Robbins’ television career
Before he became known as the voice of Charlie Brown, Peter Robbins appeared in other television shows and movies.
He made a guest appearance as Elmer, Marilyn’s babysitting charge, in The Munsters.
He also made appearances on Rawhide and The Donna Reed Show.
He also played Alexander Bumstead in the TV adaptation of Blondie, another popular comic strip.
- H. J. Hayes
Peter Robbins had mental health struggles
In 2019, Peter Robbins spoke to Fox 5 in San Diego about his troubled past.
“Well, I know I was certainly mentally ill,“ Robbins told the outlet.
“I wish I had gotten treatment earlier by professionals.”
- H. J. Hayes
What was the first Peanuts animated special?
The first Peanuts special was A Charlie Brown Christmas.
It debuted on CBS in 1965.
- H. J. Hayes
How old is Charlie Brown?
Charlie Brown made his official debut in the Peanuts comic strip in 1950.
While the character is not 72 years old, Charlie Brown has grown up a little over the years.
In different iterations of the comic strip and the specials, Charlie Brown has been four, six, and eight years old.
An eight-year-old Charlie Brown is regarded as the most realistic age for the kid in the comic strips and animated movies.
- H. J. Hayes
Was Peter Robbins the first actor to voice Charlie Brown?
Peter Robbins was the very first actor to voice the iconic character.
At least thirty-four other actors have voiced the character since, including Noah Schnapp from Stranger Things and Justin Shenkarow from Hey Arnold.
- H. J. Hayes
Peter Robbins' career post-Peanuts
Peter graduated from the University of California San Diego with dual psychology and communications degrees in 1979.
He also worked in real estate and as a radio DJ.
- H. J. Hayes
Did Peter Robbins have children?
Much of Peter Robbins' adult life has been kept private.
However, it has not been reported that he had children.
At one point, he is rumored to have had a dog named Snoopy.
- H. J. Hayes
This clip of Peter Robbins' voice still used
By the time he turned 14, Peter Robbins had aged out of voicing Charlie Brown.
However, one clip of Peter's voice is still used for the character in animated specials.
That's the loud scream, "AUGH!" that Charlie Brown first emitted in It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.
Now, it's considered a hallmark of the Peanuts specials.
- H. J. Hayes
When will Peter Robbins' funeral be held?
Peter's family has not shared funeral plans yet, and is asking for privacy at this time.
A memorial service for him will be held at a future date.
- H. J. Hayes
Peter Robbins had hoped to write book
In 2019, Peter Robbins told Fox 5 San Diego that he hoped to pen a memoir about his life.
"I want to write a book about my experiences in jail, prison and what I have to look forward to," he told the outlet.
"‘Confessions of a Blockhead’ is what I’m going to call it.”
Sadly, it's unknown as to whether the project was completed before Robbins' death.
- H. J. Hayes
Peter Robbins on his tattoo's symbolism
Speaking to Fox 5 San Diego, Peter told the station that his Charlie Brown tattoo represented a significant shift in his perspective.
“It’s a symbol to me of refurbishing my life,” Robbins said.
“I don’t have any animosity towards anybody."
- H. J. Hayes
Who was Peter Robbins?
Peter Robbins was the first voice actor for Charlie Brown in the animated Peanuts specials.
He began voicing the character when he was only nine years old.
- H. J. Hayes
Peter's connection to Charlie Brown in later years
Robbins had slowed down his acting career by the early ‘70s but was always fond of his time playing Charlie Brown.
He participated in the 1985 animated documentary special It’s Your 20th Television Anniversary, Charlie Brown.
He also appeared as himself in You Don't Look 40, Charlie Brown, which came out in 1990.
And in 2001, he participated in another special, The Making Of A Charlie Brown Christmas
- H. J. Hayes
Peter Robbins and the Charlie Brown specials
Peter made his debut as the beloved character in 1963’s A Boy Named Charlie Brown.
He went on to play the same role in other specials, including:
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Charlie Brown's All Stars!
- It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
- You're in Love, Charlie Brown
- He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown
- It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown
- A Boy Named Charlie Brown (animated musical)
Peter Robbins' television career
Before he became known as the voice of Charlie Brown, Peter Robbins appeared in other television shows and movies.
He made a guest appearance as Elmer, Marilyn's babysitting charge, in The Munsters.
He also made appearances on Rawhide and The Donna Reed Show.
He also played Alexander Bumstead in the TV adaptation of Blondie, another popular comic strip.
How did Peter Robbins die?
According to a statement by Peter's family, he died by suicide at the age of 65.
In the announcement, which came late on January 25, the family said Peter died "last week."
An exact date was not given, and the family requested privacy as they mourn.
Peter Robbins' tattoo tribute to Charlie Brown
Peter Robbins commemorated his childhood career with a tattoo tribute.
On his right bicep, he had a tattoo of Charlie Brown and his faithful pup, Snoopy.
- H. J. Hayes
What illnesses did Peter Robbins suffer from?
Peter Robbins reportedly suffered from bipolar disorder.
“I would recommend to anybody that has bipolar disorder to take it seriously because your life can turn around in a span of a month like it did to me,” Robbins told Fox 5 San Diego.
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