Jose Cuatemoc "Bill" Melendez, an Emmy-winning animator, director, and producer best known for the timeless Peanuts television specials, died Tuesday at the age of 91. Besides animating 1965's A Charlie Brown Christmas and many of its sequels–including 1969's big-screen feature, A Boy Named Charlie Brown–Melendez worked for Disney on Bambi, Dumbo, and Fantasia; numerous Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, and Daffy Duck shorts; and scores of other animated shorts and features throughout his 70-year career. He also provided the voice of Snoopy in his Peanuts specials. L.A. Times has posted an extensive obituary detailing Melendez's life, work, and awards.
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