 |
VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!
Established November 10, 2004
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
louzucaro
The Gates of Troy
Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Posts: 1915
Location: Chicago area
|
 Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:02 am Post subject: Sadly, another obit (although not directly related to v.o.) |
 |
|
Just got an e-mail from a guy I know that Bill Melendez, best known as the animator of the PEANUTS TV specials and shows, passed away this morning.
Here's the text of what was sent to me:
| Quote: | Spending more than 70 Years in the Entertainment Industry, Bill Melendez is Best Known for Giving the PeanutsTM Characters Life Including Classics: “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”
LOS ANGELES – September 3, 2008 – Bill Melendez, considered a pioneer in animation and best known for bringing the PEANUTSTM characters to life, died early Tuesday morning September 2nd at St. John’s hospital in Santa Monica. Doctors say Melendez died “peacefully.” He was 91 years old preparing to celebrate his 92nd birthday in November.
With his trade mark handle bar mustache, Melendez was a phenomenal talent whose unique style and distinct sense of humor inspired a generation. Melendez began his career at Walt Disney Studios. As a talented young animator he worked on Pinocchio, Fantasia, Bambi, Dumbo and classic Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck cartoons.
Years later, Melendez expanded his resume when he moved to Warner Bros. to animate other famous cartoons such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig.
In 1948 Melendez left Warner Bros. and over the next decade and a half he served as a director and producer on more than 1,000 commercials and films for United Productions of America (UPA), Playhouse Pictures and John Sutherland Productions. It was at UPA that Melendez started doing work for New York-based J. Walter Thompson ad agency, whose client included Ford Motor Co. The car maker expressed interest in using PEANUTS characters to sell its cars on television. In 1959 Melendez prepared his animation work and showed it to PEANUTS creator Charles M. Schulz.
A partnership and friendship followed and as a result, Melendez gave the PEANUTS kids life in more than 63 half-hour specials, five one-hour specials, four feature films and more than 372 commercials. Favorites include “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” “She’s a Good Skate, Charlie Brown,” and “You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown.” In addition to creating the cartoons, Melendez also provided the voices for Snoopy and Woodstock.
Over the years, Melendez also animated “Garfield on the Town,” “Cathy,” “Babar Comes to America,” and “The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe,” among others.
Melendez, who was the only animator allowed to work with the PEANUTS characters won numerous awards and accolades including: 17 Emmy Award nominations and eight ( Emmy® Award wins, one (1) Oscar® Award nomination, two (2) Peabody Awards, one (1) Clio, three (3) National Cartoonist Society Awards, and more than 150 Advertising Awards.
Under the leadership of his son and other trusted executives, Bill Melendez Productions, Inc., its sister studio Melendez Films in London and Sopwith Productions (Melendez’s art distribution unit) will continue to animate, direct and produce features and commercials.
Born Jose Cuautemoc in 1916 in Sonora, Mexico, his family moved to Arizona in 1928 and then to Los Angeles in the early 1930s. Melendez trained at the Chouinard Art Studio (now CalArts) and is a former faculty member of the Cinema Arts Department at USC.
Melendez is survived by his wife of 68 years Helen, two sons: Steven Melendez and (Ret.) Navy Rear Admiral Rodrigo Melendez, six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. A memorial service will take place for family only.
Donations can be made in Bill Melendez's name to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
A True Loss to the Animation World...he surly will be missed. |
_________________
Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com
"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!" |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
bobsouer
Frequent Flyer
Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 9883
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
Lou,
Very sad news. Thank you for passing this along.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
craigcrumpton
Been Here Awhile
Joined: 17 Mar 2008
Posts: 240
Location: Atlanta, GA
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 12:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
This IS related to VO. Bill was the voice of Snoopy, and voiced both Woodstock and Spike for a number of Peanuts specials as well. The vocal sound effects Melendez recorded for those characters provided a unique element of humor and personality they never had in the comic strip.
A collection of Snoopy's "Bleah!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD2UyHq06kE
And I dare anyone to watch this clip and not smile:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzoq-MiM8h0
(well, except for that bit of animal "cruelty" at the end.)
Very sorry to hear this--we've lost yet another legend. I have some very specific memories from my childhood spending time with my family that are directly associated with several Peanuts specials. And my very first dog--a beagle--was named "Peanuts" too.
Granted, he was 91 and lived a long and full life, but that doesn't mean his loss to the animation community and his family and friends has any less impact.
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Audiogal
King's Row
Joined: 22 Aug 2005
Posts: 1083
Location: Shreveport, LA
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Aww. Sad news. But fortunately for us his work lives on.
There must've been quite a call for creatives in Heaven this week.
_________________
Mary |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
imaginator
The Thirteenth Floor
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 1348
Location: raleigh, nc
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
to quote charlie brown: "rats."
_________________
rowell gormon
www.voices2go.com
"Mr. Warm & Friendly Voice...with Character!"
Rowell Gormon's Clogged Blog - http://voices2go.com/blog |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
audio'connell
T-Shirt
Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Posts: 1969
Location: in a dark studio with a single bulb light...day after day after....
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It bears repeating, this news just sucks!!!
_________________
- Peter
audioconnell Voice Over Talent
Your friendly, neighborhood voice over talent |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lizden
A Zillion
Joined: 04 Dec 2006
Posts: 8864
Location: The dark recesses of my mind
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
What Peter said. 
L.
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bailey
4 Large
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
Posts: 4336
Location: Lake San Marcos... north of Connie, northwest of the Best.
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| audio'connell wrote: | | It bears repeating, this news just sucks!!! |
Yes it does... but it also reminds us of our own mortality.
_________________
"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
VO-BB Member #00044  .gif" alt="W00T" border="0" />
AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo." |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Yoda117
M&M
Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Posts: 2362
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
voicy1stef
The Gates of Troy
Joined: 25 Sep 2007
Posts: 1799
Location: Lovely Hertfordshire, England
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
Wah-h-h-h-h! I love Peanuts. i even played Linus in a musical...
this is sad news.
Bless and love to his spirit!
_________________
Intuit and do it!
British-American voice artist based in England for the past umpteen years. I say, has it really been that long!
http://www.stefsvoice4u.co.uk
Podcast: Positive Affirmations and Audio Stories, on iTunes, Spotify etc. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rob
Guest
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Bailey wrote: | | audio'connell wrote: | | It bears repeating, this news just sucks!!! |
Yes it does... but it also reminds us of our own mortality. |
And dream of immortality ... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
