PETER Robbins, best known for voicing Peanuts character Charlie Brown, has died at the age of 65.
His family confirmed that the voice actor had taken his own life last week.
The exact circumstances around his death are not clear.
The actor had previously spoken publicly about his battles with bipolar disorder, and was released from prison in 2019 after serving four years for sending threatening letters to the manager of a mobile home park where he lived.
Robbins started voicing Charlie Brown in 1963, appearing in several Peanuts cartoons.
His love for the character was so strong that he got a tattoo of Charlie Brown and his pooch, Snoopy, on his arm.
Robbins was also a child actor, working professionally by the age of seven. He appeared in episodes of The Munsters as Elmer but landed his iconic role as Charlie Brown when he was nine.
Read our Peter Robbins live blog for the very latest news and updates…
He made his debut as the character in 1963’s A Boy Named Charlie Brown and went on to play in other follow-up specials: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Charlie Brown’s All-Stars!, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and others.
Robbins had slowed down his acting career by the early ‘70s but was always fond of his time playing Charlie Brown.
He was also interviewed for the 1990 special You Don’t Look 40, Charlie Brown.
In recent years, Robbins had gotten into legal trouble for making criminal threats to a number of people, including San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore.
He had also been in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction.
He participated in the 1985 animated documentary special It’s Your 20th Television Anniversary, Charlie Brown.
Robbins was interviewed in 2019 after his release from prison, and detailed his lifelong battle with bipolar disorder to KSWB.
“I would recommend to anybody that has bipolar disorder to take it seriously because your life can turn around in the span of a month like it did to me,” he said.
“I came out of prison and I’m a better person for it. I’m much more humble and grateful and thankful that I lived through the experience.”
Robbins regarded Charlie Brown as an important aspect of his life and his recovery; he was relentlessly thankful to the fans.
“Charlie Brown fans are the greatest fans in the world,” Robbins said in 2019. “And everybody is willing, I hope, to give me a second chance.”
Robbins’ family is asking for privacy at this time.
A memorial service for him will be held at a future date.
