On January 18th, 2022, Peter Robbins, the voice of the beloved character Charlie Brown, passed away. Peter Robbins had suffered from mental illness and addiction for many years. He died by suicide, after checking out of a mental hospital, losing his battle with mental illness.

The Peanuts comic was a beloved comic strip. It was known as a socially forward comic strip of the time. The comic had featured African American characters as well as portrayed female characters as confident and strong. By the end of the 1960s, it was the most widely read comic strip in America. Charles M Shultz, the comic’s creator, used the popularity of the comic strip to touch on issues going on within schools; such as math, dress codes, and other academics. In 1965 Peanuts expanded its reach with the debut of their first television comic strip.  From 1965 to 2011, Peanuts produced 45 animated specials, spanning from strips about holidays to strips about academics. Charlie Brown is still a beloved character worldwide, and Charlie Brown specials continue to be played on television during holiday seasons.

Peter Robbins was the first voice of the main character Charlie Brown. At the age of nine, he debuted as Charlie Brown in “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, the first animated comic strip that was produced by Peanuts. Through the rest of the 1960s, he voiced Charlie Brown in many different television classics such as “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”, a holiday special; he also voiced characters in many Peanuts-related television shorts. Throughout the 60s along with voicing Charlie Brown, Robbins appeared in many television shows, such as The Munsters, Rawhide, and My Three Sons. Robbins last voiced Charlie Brown in 1969 in “A Boy Named Charlie Brown”. It is said that in 1972 Peter Robbins ended his acting career.

Peter Robbins suffered from bipolar disorder and addictions to drugs, sex, and alcohol. He also experienced legal problems. In 2013, after he was charged with four counts of threatening and one count of stalking, he was sentenced to one year in jail; but was sent to a rehabilitation center for treatment for his addiction instead. Robbins was sentenced to prison again in 2015  for violating his probation. This time he spent 4 years and 8 months in prison. After Robbins was released he was looking for redemption. He started to open up and speak about his experience with mental illness and addiction. He also said that he regretted not getting help earlier. In 2019 he opened up about a manic episode he had where he bought many things of high value. He encouraged individuals with bipolar

disorder to take it seriously. After spending time in jail Peter wanted to regain his relationship with his character Charlie Brown; so he touched up a tattoo of Charlie Brown and Snoopy that he had previously gotten on his arm.

Shortly after last Christmas, Robbins checked himself into a mental health facility. Peter Novak, Robbins’ agent, said that he was in a bad headspace. On January 18th, Robbins had himself discharged from the mental health facility. It was reported that the staff encouraged him to stay but he refused. Robbins was later found after he had taken his own life.