Who is Bill Melendez?

Bill Melendez was an American animator, director, producer, and voice actor who gained fame as the voice of several characters in popular commercial advertisements. He was born on November 15, 1916, in Hermosillo, Mexico, and moved to the United States when he was a child. Melendez initially worked as a graphic artist and animator for Walt Disney before founding his own animation studio, Bill Melendez Productions.

Melendez is perhaps best known for his work on the Peanuts television specials, where he served as the director, producer, and animator. He was the only person authorized by Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz to animate the characters in the show. Melendez's animation work on the Peanuts specials earned him two Emmy Awards, one in 1971 for Outstanding Children's Program and another in 1973 for Outstanding Individual Achievement In Children's Programming for his work on A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.

Melendez's voice-over work also earned him acclaim, as he provided the voice for many famous commercial characters, such as the iconic Coca-Cola Santa Claus, who featured in the brand's advertisements for nearly 40 years. He also played the role of the Jolly Green Giant in the Green Giant vegetables commercials and created animated ads for other popular brands, including Cheerios, Doritos, and KFC.

Melendez passed away on September 2, 2008, at the age of 91. His immense contributions to the world of animation and commercial advertising have left an indelible mark on American pop culture and continue to be celebrated by fans and industry professionals alike.