Peter Robbins, the original voice of Charlie Brown, has died aged 65.
The voice actor died by suicide last week, his family confirmed late on Tuesday.
Robbins began his career as a child actor at nine years old voicing the beloved Peanuts character in holiday classics including the 1965 A Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s A Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown in 1966.
The actor was a big fan of his character and even got a tattoo of Charlie Brown and his trusty sidekick Snoopy.
Peter Robbins (pictured in 2008), who famously voiced Peanuts character Charlie Brown, has died by suicide last week, his family revealed
The star started his career playing Brown at the young age of nine (pictured)
Robbins, second from right, is pictured with his fellow Charlie Brown costars in the 1960s
Sadly, the former child actor, who suffered from bipolar disorder, has been troubled later in life.
In 2015, he was sentenced to five years in prison for making criminal threats against several people.
He pleaded guilty for sending the media threatening letters offering money to kill San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore and sent threatening letter to a property manager of the mobile home park where he lived.
He reportedly sent drawings and letters to the property manager and threatened other residents of the site.
He was originally ordered to probation while he attended an in-house drug therapy program, but was later taken to prison after violating his probation.
While in jail, he made threats against the sheriff and offered $50,000 to have him killed.
The actor was released in 2019.
The star, who also appeared on the Munsters, managed to turn his life around and began promoting getting ‘professional help’ for mental health issues and was treated for addictions to drugs, alcohol and sex.
But, the actor said it was his mental health that got him transferred to a state mental hospital in Atascadero, California.
The actor – who was released in 2019 and ordered not to drink or take drugs and had to take anger management classes – was released into a North County sober living home and started advocating that take bipolar disorder ‘seriously.’
‘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. 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,’ he said at the time.
The actor was sentenced to five years in prison for making threats against the property manager of the mobile home park he lived in and against San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore in 2015. He was released in 2019
‘I came out of prison and I’m a better person for it,’ Robbins told Fox 5 in 2019. ‘I’m much more humble, grateful and thankful that I lived through the experience.’
Robbins said he was going through a ‘manic phase’ when he purchased a ‘motor home, a mobile home, two German sports cars and a Pitbull named Snoopy.’
After being released from prison, the actor got his Charlie Brown tattoo – located on his right bicep – touched up and said it was a symbol of him ‘refurbishing my life.’
His friend Brian Billeck posted a tribute on Twitter honoring the actor, writing: ‘I spoke to him last back in mid Dec. He wanted people to watch “The Charlie Brown Christmas Special.” He said with everything going on – the world could do with a Little Bit of Charlie Brown & Linus’ message.’
Many fans also posted tributes to the actor, saying he ‘made the world brighter’ and remembering the childhood classic shows that they ‘loved’ so much.
His family is now asking for privacy and said they will hold a memorial service for him at a future date.
If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.