On November 15, 1916, Hermosillo, Sonora, saw the birth of José Cuauhtémoc Meléndez, known in the world of animation as Bill Meléndez, one of the main architects of the drawing and creation of The Peanuts.
Over time, his name would become synonymous with talent, creativity and a work that lives on in the memory of generations. Meléndez was responsible for giving life to the iconic characters of “Peanuts,” highlighting Snoopy and Woodstock, through a unique animation that marked the history of television and film.
From Hermosillo to stardom in animation
Meléndez’s family moved to Los Angeles in the United States, taking Meléndez to study at the Chouinard Arts Institute.
Meléndez began his career in 1938 when he joined Walt Disney Studios. From the start, the cartoonist showed his ability working on classics such as “Bambi,” “Fantasia” and “Dumbo,” consolidating himself in the medium and bringing his work closer to another giant of the industry, even collaborating with Warner Bros.
In this company he managed to animate emblematic characters such as Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.
The birth of “Peanuts” and its impact
In the 1950s, Meléndez animated “Peanuts” characters for Ford commercials. Impressed by his work, Charles M. Schulz, creator of the characters, chose him to bring his characters to the screen. This collaboration resulted in more than 60 half-hour episodes, four films and around 400 “Peanuts” commercials.
The first well-known television special that Meléndez produced and directed, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” quickly became a Christmas classic, marking a turning point in television animation, which to this day is honored and replicated hundreds of times in film and television.
This work not only won an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award, but also set a standard for future “Peanuts” specials. Throughout his career, Meléndez produced and directed more than 75 special episodes of this series, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.
One of his most memorable contributions was lending his voice to Snoopy and Woodstock. Although the characters did not speak, Meléndez created distinctive vocal effects that became an essential part of their identity, making millions of viewers laugh and thrill.
An indelible legacy
Throughout his life, Meléndez received multiple awards, including several Emmys, in recognition of his work in children’s television and his excellence in animation. His career is admired not only for its impact on the entertainment industry, but also for the way he introduced elements of Mexican culture into his projects.
In addition to “Peanuts,” he worked on animation for series such as “Babar,” “Garfield,” and “The Chronicles of Narnia.” Throughout his career, he was awarded eight Emmy Awards and was nominated for an Oscar for co-writing the soundtrack for “A Boy Called Charlie Brown” (1969).
Bill Melendez passed away on September 2, 2008 in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be celebrated around the world.
Source: elimparcial
