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‘Peanuts’ Producer Lee Mendelson Died On Christmas Day At 86

Jamaire Lewis03 mins
Lee Mendelson — the man behind over 50 Charlie Brown TV specials — died on Christmas Day after a long battle with cancer.
According to his family, the Peanuts producer reportedly passed away at his home in Hillsborough, CA. His son, Jason, says … “It wasn’t great for us, but to have him pass on Christmas really ties into his history and legacy.”
CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, Charlie Brown, 1965
CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, Charlie Brown, 1965

Mendelson was also responsible for writing the lyrics to “Christmas Time Is Here,” the song famously featured in A Charlie Brown Christmas — which he also produced. The song brought Mendelson his first Emmy — he won a total of 12.

Producer Lee Mendelson directs children who are recording the dialogue for the animated TV special "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", featuring the characters from Charles Schultz's comic strip "Peanuts". (Photo by © Ted Streshinsky/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
Producer Lee Mendelson directs children who were recording for Peanuts special. (Photo by © Ted Streshinsky/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
Lee’s relationship with “Peanuts” creator Charles Schulz began in the ’60s and ended up producing the ‘Charlie Brown Christmas’ special.
The success of that led to 1966’s “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and 1973’s “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” among many others.
Mendelson also teamed up with “Garfield” creator Jim Davis in the ’80s to produce the first animated short featuring the grumpy cat … and went on to help launch the “Garfield and Friends” series in the early ’90s.lee-garfield
Lee produced several documentaries and network specials outside of children’s programming, as well.He’s survived by his wife, Ploenta, 4 children, a stepson and 8 grandchildren.
Mendelson was 86.
Rest in peace.

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