By Matt Schudel
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 4, 2008; Page B07

Bill Melendez, 91, an Emmy Award-winning animator who transformed the
two-dimensional drawings of the "Peanuts" comic strip into some of the
most beloved cartoon characters on television and film, died Sept. 2 at
St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. The cause of death was
not reported.

Mr. Melendez, who began his career at the Hollywood animation studios of
Walt Disney and Warner Bros., found his greatest renown as the animator of
"A Charlie Brown Christmas," "The Great Pumpkin" and dozens of other
Peanuts presentations.

With producer Lee Mendelson, Mr. Melendez formed a 43-year partnership
that has generated more than 70 "Peanuts" productions, including four
feature films. He also animated more than 370 commercials using "Peanuts"
characters and remains the only animator Charles M. Schulz trusted to
bring his famous comic strip figures to life.

Aside from the classic "Peanuts" specials, one Bill Melendez
production that has been mostly forgotten is his early-1970s animated
version of the story "Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus." It's
one of those rare Christmas specials that really is "heart-touching"
without being overly treacly and maudlin. I just wanted to mention
that one here.

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