- Born
- Died
- Birth nameLee Maurice Mendelson
- Lee Mendelson was born on March 24, 1933 in San Francisco, California, USA. He was a producer and writer, known for The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Happy Anniversary, Charlie Brown (1976) and The War with Grandpa (2020). He was married to Ploenta Inthapruksa, Barbara Claire Thompson and Debbie Mendelson. He died on December 25, 2019 in Hillsborough, California, USA.
- SpousesPloenta Inthapruksa(February 13, 2003 - December 25, 2019) (his death)Barbara Claire Thompson(December 20, 1953 - April 1972) (divorced, 2 children)Debbie Mendelson (divorced, 2 children)
- Children
- ParentsPalmer C. MendelsonJeanette D. Wise
- He recorded dialogue and music for Jim Davis' unused Garfield musical screenplay "Garfield's Judgment Day" before it was greenlit at a studio.
- Wrote the lyrics for song "Christmas Time is Here" from A Charlie Brown Christmas.
- All four of his children at some time have voiced characters from Peanuts cartoons.
- He resided in the Bay Area.
- His son, Sean Mendelson, graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in music and is a founding member of Bay Area band Mirror Image.
- When we started the animated specials in 1965, Snoopy presented us with a major problem. By that time in the comic strip, Snoopy's thoughts had become one of the major outlets of humor for the strip. We considered printing those thoughts on the animated shows, but then realized that young children wouldn't be able to read them. Then we discussed the idea of using a funny voice to actually verbalize Snoopy's thoughts, because we didn't want to lose all those great gags. But this idea was discarded also. We finally decided that Snoopy would have to emulate the great Harpo Marx-all in pantomime.
- Our decision in 1965 to use the voices of children was unique and crucial. Up to that time, most animators had used adults pretending to be children. The use of real kids gave us a sound of spontaneity that was essential to the success of the shows.
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