The Devastating Death Of Peter Robbins, The Voice Of Charlie Brown
The following article includes mentions of suicide and addiction.
Peter Robbins, actor and beloved voice of "Peanuts" character Charlie Brown, died last week at 65 years old, according to Fox 5 San Diego. The cause of his death was suicide.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Robbins was a popular child actor in the 1960s, and appeared in some of the era's most popular shows, including "Get Smart," "Rawhide," and "The Munsters." His most prominent live action role was Alexander Bumstead in "Blondie," a 1968 sitcom based on the popular comic of the same name.
Robbins is best known for voicing the beloved Charlie Brown in a number of classic 1960s "Peanuts" TV specials, including the famed Holiday specials "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." He remained committed to the character throughout his life, but unfortunately, his life after leaving acting in 1972 was considerably more tragic.
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
The iconic voice of Charlie Brown led a tragic life
After leaving the industry behind, Peter Robbins led a life that was full of hardship and misfortune, due to his longtime issues with addiction and bipolar disorder. According to The Hollywood Reporter, in 2015 he was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for threatening a number of people, including a judge and a sheriff. Robbins was open about his hardships and attended rehab to treat his addiction issues, and encouraged everyone with similar struggles to face their situation.
"I would recommend to anybody that has bipolar disorder to take it seriously because your life can turn around in the span of the month, like it did to me," Robbins said after his prison sentence in 2019. "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."
Despite his difficulties, Robbins loved his iconic role long after he left acting, and even had a tattoo of Charlie Brown and Snoopy. Our condolences go out to his friends and family at this time of grief.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.