Lee Mendelson obit

Lee Mendelson, Prolific Producer of ‘Peanuts’ and ‘Garfield’ TV Specials, Dies at 86

He was not on the list.

Lee Mendelson, the producer behind more than 50 animated TV specials featuring Charlie Brown and the “Peanuts” gang, died on Christmas Day at his home in Hillsborough, Calif., after a long battle with cancer. He was 86.

Mendelson also wrote the lyrics to “Christmas Time Is Here,” a song featured in “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the 1965 special that turned “Peanuts” into a TV staple. “Charlie Brown Christmas” brought Mendelson the first of his 12 Emmys. The last came in 2015 for “It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown.” Mendelson’s work with animator Lee Melendez also brought him four Peabody Awards, an Oscar nomination and two Grammy noms.

A lifelong fan of jazz, Mendelson had the inspiration to hire musician Vince Guaraldi to create original music for “Charlie Brown Christmas,” a touch that helped make the specials stand out with viewers young and old. Over the years Mendelson worked with other notable musicians such as Dave Brubeck, Wynton Marsalis, B.B. King, David Benoit, George Winston, Ed Bogas and Desiree Goyette.

A fourth-generation native of San Francisco, Mendelson attended San Mateo High School and graduated from Stanford University in 1954 with a degree in English. He became involved in radio and TV while serving in the Air Force after college.

He worked for a while for his father’s produce company before moving into local TV as a producer for San Francisco’s KPIX-TV in 1961. He earned his first Peabody for “San Francisco Pageant,” described as “a series of historic documentaries framed with style and imagination, which enriched a great city’s affection of its colorful past.”

Lee Mendelson Film Productions opened its doors in 1963. Among its first productions was a highly regarded documentary for NBC about San Francisco Giants slugger Willie Mays.

Mendelson had the idea to produce his next documentary about the world’s worst baseball player — the woebegone Charlie Brown from Charles Schulz’s beloved daily comic strip. Schulz, who also lived in Northern California, had seen the Willie Mays special and agreed to cooperate.

But while the two were working on that project, Mendelson was enlisted to produce “Charlie Brown Christmas.” The success of that special begat 1966’s “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and 1973’s “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” among many others. The “Peanuts” animated programs aired on CBS for years until ABC scooped up the rights in 2001.

In 1970 Mendelson co-created the live-action children’s program “Hot Dog” for NBC that was billed as a kid-friendly version of “Laugh-In.” Cast members included Woody Allen, Jonathan Winters, Joanne Worley and Tom Smothers.

Mendelson teamed with “Garfield” creator Jim Davis to produce the first animated short featuring the grumpy cat in 1982. Mendelson also shepherded the “Garfield and Friends” animated series from 1991-1994. He also worked with “Cathy” cartoonist Cathy Guisewite on three primetime “Cathy” animated specials that aired between 1987 and 1989.

Outside of children’s programming, Mendelson produced documentaries and network specials featuring such notables as Paul Newman, Gene Kelly, Joanne Woodward, Lucille Ball, Bing Crosby, Flip Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg, Muhammad Ali and Carl Reiner. He worked with two 20th Century giants — John Steinbeck and Henry Fonda — on specials based on Steinbeck’s work: “Travels With Charley” and “America and Americans.”

Mendelson’s survivors include his wife, Ploenta; children Glenn, Lynda, Jason and Sean; stepson Ken; and eight grandchildren.

Producer (90 credits)

 2015 It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown (TV Special) (executive producer)

 2006 He's a Bully, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 2003 I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 2003 Lucy Must Be Traded, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 2002 Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 2002 A Charlie Brown Valentine (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 2001 The Making of 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' (TV Special documentary short) (executive producer)

 2000 Here's to You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years (TV Movie documentary) (executive producer)

 2000 It's the Pied Piper, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (producer)

 1997 It Was My Best Birthday Ever, Charlie Brown! (Video short) (executive producer)

 1996 It's Spring Training, Charlie Brown! (TV Short) (executive producer)

 1995 Get Ready for School, Charlie Brown! (Video Game) (executive producer)

 1991-1994 Garfield and Friends (TV Series) (executive producer - 64 episodes)

- Arbuckle the Invincible/The Monster Who Couldn't Scare Anybody/The Ocean Blue (1994) ... (executive producer)

- Horror Hostess/Newsworthy Wade (1994) ... (executive producer)

- The Man Who Hated Cats/Deja Vu/Canned Laughter (1994) ... (executive producer)

- Alley Katta & the 40 Thieves/If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Alpha Centauri/Clash of Titans (1994) ... (executive producer)

- The Jelly Roger/The Farmyard Feline Philosopher/Dogmother II (1994) ... (executive producer)

 1994 You're in the Super Bowl, Charlie Brown! (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1991-1992 Mother Goose and Grimm (TV Series) (executive producer - 7 episodes)

- Puppy Love Story/Brotherhood of Ham (1992) ... (executive producer)

- Expensive Taste/Lassie Swim Home (1992) ... (executive producer)

- Funny Business/The Boogie Man (1992) ... (executive producer)

- Ham Alone/Sheep Thrills (1991) ... (executive producer)

- The Wickedest Witch/Motel Mutt (1991) ... (executive producer)

 1992 It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1991 Snoopy's Reunion (TV Short) (executive producer)

 1990 Why, Charlie Brown, Why? (TV Short) (executive producer)

 1990 You Don't Look 40, Charlie Brown! (TV Special documentary) (producer)

 1988-1989 This Is America, Charlie Brown (TV Mini-Series) (executive producer - 8 episodes)

- The Music and Heroes of America (1989) ... (executive producer)

- The Smithsonian and the Presidency (1989) ... (executive producer)

- The Great Inventors (1989) ... (executive producer)

- The Building of the Transcontinental Railroad (1989) ... (executive producer)

- The NASA Space Station (1988) ... (executive producer)

 1989 Cathy's Valentine (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1988 Cathy's Last Resort (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1988 It's the Girl in the Red Truck, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (producer)

 1988 Snoopy: The Musical (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1987 Cathy (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1986 Wrinkles: In Need of Cuddles (Video short) (executive producer: United Media/Mendelson)

 1986 Happy New Year, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1985 You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (producer)

  The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show (TV Series) (executive producer - 18 episodes, 1983 - 1985) (producer - 18 episodes, 1983 - 1985)

- Sally's Sweet Babboo (1985) ... (executive producer) / (producer)

- Peppermint Patty's School Days (1985) ... (executive producer) / (producer)

- Snoopy's Robot (1985) ... (executive producer) / (producer)

- Snoopy's Brother Spike (1985) ... (executive producer) / (producer)

- Snoopy and the Giant (1985) ... (executive producer) / (producer)

 1985 It's Your 20th Television Anniversary, Charlie Brown (TV Movie documentary) (producer)

 1985 Snoopy's Getting Married, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (producer)

 1985 The Romance of Betty Boop (TV Short) (producer)

 1984 It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown (TV Short) (producer)

 1983 Garfield on the Town (TV Short) (producer)

 1983 What Have We Learned, Charlie Brown? (TV Movie) (producer)

 1983 Movie Blockbusters: The 15 Greatest Hits of All Time (TV Movie documentary) (executive producer)

 1983 It's an Adventure, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (producer)

 1983 Is This Goodbye, Charlie Brown? (TV Short) (producer)

 1982 Here Comes Garfield (TV Short) (producer)

 1982 A Charlie Brown Celebration (TV Movie) (producer)

 1981 No Man's Valley (TV Short) (executive producer)

 1981 Someday You'll Find Her, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (producer)

 1981 It's Magic, Charlie Brown (TV Short) (executive producer)

 1980 Life Is a Circus, Charlie Brown (TV Short) (executive producer)

 1980 Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don't Come Back!!) (producer)

 1980 Snoopy's Musical on Ice (TV Special) (producer)

 1980 The Fantastic Funnies (TV Movie documentary) (producer)

 1980 She's a Good Skate, Charlie Brown (TV Short) (executive producer)

 1979 Charlie Brown Clears the Air (Short) (producer)

 1979 It's Dental Flossophy, Charlie Brown (Short) (executive producer)

 1979 You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown (TV Short) (executive producer)

 1979 Happy Birthday, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (producer)

 1978 Tooth Brushing (Short) (producer)

 1978 What a Nightmare, Charlie Brown! (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1977 It's Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1977 Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown (producer)

 1976 It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1976 Happy Anniversary, Charlie Brown (TV Movie documentary) (producer)

 1975 You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown (TV Short) (executive producer)

 1975 Travels with Flip (TV Movie) (producer)

 1975 Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (TV Short) (executive producer)

 1974 Bicycles are Beautiful (Documentary short) (producer)

 1974 It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown! (TV Short) (executive producer)

 1974 It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1973 A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (TV Short) (producer)

 1973 There's No Time for Love, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (producer)

 1973 You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1972 You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown (TV Short) (producer)

 1972 Snoopy Come Home (producer)

 1972 From Yellowstone to Tomorrow (TV Movie documentary) (producer)

 1971 Come to Your Senses (Documentary) (executive producer)

 1971 Babar Comes to America (TV Movie) (producer)

 1971 Play It Again, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (producer)

 1970 The Unexplained (TV Movie documentary) (producer)

 1970 Hot Dog (TV Series) (executive producer - 13 episodes)

- Toothpaste (1970) ... (executive producer)

- Tennis Balls (1970) ... (executive producer)

- Baseball Gloves (1970) ... (executive producer)

- Frog Jump (1970) ... (executive producer)

- Cardboard Boxes (1970) ... (executive producer)

 1970 It Couldn't Be Done (TV Movie documentary) (producer)

 1969 A Boy Named Charlie Brown (producer)

 1969 It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown (TV Short) (producer)

 1969 Charlie Brown and Charles Schulz (TV Movie documentary) (executive producer)

 1969 Children's Letters to God (TV Short) (producer)

 1968 The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant (TV Movie) (producer)

 1968 The Fabulous Shorts (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1968 He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown (TV Short) (executive producer)

 1967 You're in Love, Charlie Brown (TV Short) (executive producer)

 1966 It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1966 Charlie Brown's All Stars! (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1965 A Charlie Brown Christmas (TV Movie) (executive producer)

 1963 A Boy Named Charlie Brown (TV Movie documentary) (producer)

 1963 A Man Named Mays (TV Movie) (producer)

 1962 The Innocent Fair (TV Movie documentary) (associate producer)

Soundtrack (26 credits)

 2019 John Legend: Christmas Under the Stars (TV Special) (writer: "Christmas Time is Here")

  Home & Family (TV Series) (lyrics - 1 episode, 2018) (writer - 1 episode, 2012)

- Lori Loughlin/Johnny Mathis/Josh Henderson (2018) ... (lyrics: "Christmas Time Is Here")

- Debby Boone/Marcus Allen/Rick Schwartz (2012) ... (writer: "Christmas Time is Here")

 2018 Pose (TV Series) (writer - 1 episode)

- Giving and Receiving (2018) ... (writer: "Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal)")

 2018 Ash vs Evil Dead (TV Series) (writer - 1 episode)

- Unfinished Business (2018) ... (writer: "Christmas Time Is Here" - uncredited)

 2017 A Very Merry Toy Store (TV Movie) (writer: "Christmastime Is Here" - uncredited)

 2017 Perfect Bid: The Contestant Who Knew Too Much (Documentary) (writer: "Christmas Time Is Here")

 2017 Oh, Hello on Broadway (TV Movie) (writer: "Christmas Time is Here")

 2015 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (TV Series) (lyrics - 1 episode)

- Channing Tatum/John Boyega/Young People's Chorus of New York City (2015) ... (lyrics: "Christmas Time Is Here" - uncredited)

 2015 The Peanuts Movie (writer: "Christmas Time Is Here")

 2014 New Girl (TV Series) (writer - 1 episode)

- LAXmas (2014) ... (writer: "Christmas Time Is Here" - uncredited)

 2013 Daily Ukulele (TV Series short) (lyrics - 1 episode)

- Christmas Time Is Here - A Charlie Brown Christmas (2013) ... (lyrics: "Christmas Time Is Here")

 2012 Parenthood (TV Series) (writer - 1 episode)

- What to My Wondering Eyes (2012) ... (writer: "Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal Version) " - uncredited)

 2011 The Office (TV Series) (writer - 1 episode)

- Christmas Wishes (2011) ... (writer: "Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal Version)")

 2010 Psych (TV Series) (writer - 1 episode)

- The Polarizing Express (2010) ... (writer: "Christmas Time Is Here" - uncredited)

 2009 Grey's Anatomy (TV Series) (lyrics - 1 episode)

- Holidaze (2009) ... (lyrics: "Christmas Time Is Here" - uncredited)

 2009 The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story (Documentary) (courtesy: "It Changes", "Fundamental-Friend-Dependability")

 2009 Last Flowers (Short) (writer: "Christmas Time Is Here")

 2007 Fred Claus (writer: "Christmastime Is Here")

 2007 Midnight Son (Short) (writer: "Christmas Time Is Here")

 2005 House (TV Series) (writer - 1 episode)

- Deception (2005) ... (writer: "Christmas Time is Here" - uncredited)

 2001 The Royal Tenenbaums (writer: "Christmas Time Is Here")

 2000 Here's to You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years (TV Movie documentary) (writer: "Christmas Time is Here")

 1998 That '70s Show (TV Series) (writer - 1 episode)

- The Best Christmas Ever (1998) ... (writer: "Christmas Time is Here")

 1993 Bottle Rocket (Short) (writer: "Skating")

 1977 The Carpenters at Christmas (TV Special) (writer: "Christmas Time is Here")

 1965 A Charlie Brown Christmas (TV Movie) (lyrics: "Christmas Time Is Here" - uncredited)

Writer (14 credits)

 2015 It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown (TV Special)

 2000 Here's to You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years (TV Movie documentary) (written by)

 1990 You Don't Look 40, Charlie Brown! (TV Special documentary)

 1988-1989 This Is America, Charlie Brown (TV Mini-Series) (written by - 8 episodes)

- The Music and Heroes of America (1989) ... (written by)

- The Smithsonian and the Presidency (1989) ... (written by)

- The Great Inventors (1989) ... (written by)

- The Building of the Transcontinental Railroad (1989) ... (written by)

- The NASA Space Station (1988) ... (written by)

 1986 Wrinkles: In Need of Cuddles (Video short)

 1985 It's Your 20th Television Anniversary, Charlie Brown (TV Movie documentary) (written by)

 1983 Movie Blockbusters: The 15 Greatest Hits of All Time (TV Movie documentary) (written by)

 1980 The Fantastic Funnies (TV Movie documentary) (written by)

 1975 Travels with Flip (TV Movie)

 1972 From Yellowstone to Tomorrow (TV Movie documentary)

 1970 It Couldn't Be Done (TV Movie documentary) (writer)

 1969 Charlie Brown and Charles Schulz (TV Movie documentary)

 1968 The Fabulous Shorts (TV Movie) (writer)

 1963 A Boy Named Charlie Brown (TV Movie documentary)

 Director (8 credits)

 2001 The Making of 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' (TV Special documentary short)

 1990 You Don't Look 40, Charlie Brown! (TV Special documentary)

 1986 Wrinkles: In Need of Cuddles (Video short)

 1985 It's Your 20th Television Anniversary, Charlie Brown (TV Movie documentary)

 1980 The Fantastic Funnies (TV Movie documentary)

 1976 Happy Anniversary, Charlie Brown (TV Movie documentary)

 1963 A Boy Named Charlie Brown (TV Movie documentary)

 1963 A Man Named Mays (TV Movie)

Miscellaneous Crew (1 credit)

 1998 Toonsylvania (TV Series) (creative consultant - 2 episodes)

- Baby Human/Earth Vs. Everything/Blunder & Lightning/Little Screetchin Riding Hood (1998) ... (creative consultant - segment "night of the living fred")

- Darla Doily-Demon Doll/The Importance of Being Urnie/The Boogeyman'll Get You Melissa (1998) ... (creative consultant)

 Actor (1 credit)

 1982 A Charlie Brown Celebration (TV Movie)

Hat Seller (voice, uncredited)

Production manager (1 credit)

 1981 The Big Stuffed Dog (TV Movie) (executive in charge of production)