Peter Robbins, original voice of ‘Charlie Brown,’ dead at 65, family says
Jessica Schladebeck
Peter Robbins, a former child actor who provided the original voice for Charlie Brown, has reportedly died by suicide.
Relatives confirmed Robbins’ passing Tuesday to Fox 5 San Diego. He was 65.
Robbins, whose real name was Louis Nanasi, was born in Los Angeles in 1956. He began acting at the age of 7 in 1963, the same year he was cast to voice the title character in the TV documentary film “A Boy Named Charlie Brown.”
Voice actor Peter Robbins and Charlie Brown attend Warner Home Video's DVD Release of "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown" October 7, 2008 in Hollywood, California.
Voice actor Peter Robbins and Charlie Brown attend Warner Home Video's DVD Release of "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown" October 7, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Valerie Macon/)
He went on to play the beloved blockhead, created by Charles Schulz for his Peanuts comic strip, in animated holiday specials including “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”
His passing comes after a lifelong battle with mental illness, including bipolar disorder and addiction. In 2015, Robbins was sentenced to time behind bars for threatening the manager of a mobile home park and San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore. He served more than four years of his five-year sentence and he also spent time in rehab for addiction issues.
Following his release in 2019, Robbins discussed his mental health challenges and urged those with similar struggles to seek out help.
Peter Robbins, the original voice of the "Peanuts" character Charlie Brown, died at the age of 65, his family confirmed on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. Robbins cause of death is reportedly suicide.
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“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 told Fox 5. “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.”
In addition to voicing Charlie Brown for four years, Robbins appeared on the 1968 comedy “Blondie” and guest starred on several television shows including “Rawhide,” “The Munsters,” “The Donna Reed Show,” “F Troop,” “Get Smart” and “My Three Sons,” according to Deadline.
Robbins quit acting in 1972 and went on to work as a real estate agent in San Diego. He also briefly worked as a DJ in Palm Springs.
