Peter Robbins, the original voice actor for Charlie Brown, has died at age 65. Tragically, Robbins’ death has been confirmed to be a suicide. Despite facing hardships later in life, including getting into legal trouble and suffering from bipolar disorder, Robbins will forever be associated as the iconic voice for Charlie Brown. He was also grateful for the love and support he got from fans, young and old.
The Daily Mail reports that Robbins suffered from bipolar disorder, which became the source of major problems during the latter part of his life. The actor served five years in prison in 2015 for several criminal threats. This included threatening letters to media companies, offering money to have a San Diego sheriff killed, and sending threatening letters to the manager of a mobile home park where Robbins resided. Robbins also threatened other residents in the park. He pleaded guilty to all charges.
Charlie Brown’s Peter Robbins new start in life
Robbins turned his life around upon release in 2019 when he attended anger management classes. Along with this, he avoided drugs and alcohol for legal reasons. He began to encourage people with bipolar disorder to get professional help. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Robbins said that prison ultimately humbled him, which he was grateful for. “Charlie Brown fans are the greatest fans in the world. And everybody is willing, I hope, to give me a second chance,” Robbins said to Fox 5 at the time.
Robbins was born in 1956 and lent his voice to the beloved Peanuts character Charlie Brown at nine years old. His voice acting debut came in the 1963 TV documentary A Boy Named Charlie Brown about the life of Charles M. Schulz. He went on to voice the character in six specials, including the holiday classics A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966). Robbins also appeared in some 1960’s TV shows, including Rawhide, The Donna Reed Show, The Munsters, F Troop, Get Smart, and Blondie. His final acting role was in a 1972 episode of My Three Sons.
While he may have given up acting, Peter Robbins never let go of his love for Charlie Brown. He even had a tattoo of Charlie Brown and Snoopy on his right arm. Despite the plague mental illness brought on his life, Peter Robbins’ childhood voice will always be a treasure during the holidays.
