Saturday, June 21, 2014

“Peanuts” voice actor interviews: introduction

“If it seems too complicated, make it easy on yourself: just send money. How about tens and twenties?” (Sally)

“That stupid blockhead of a brother of mine is out in the pumpkin patch making his yearly fool of himself.” (Lucy)

“All I can make is cold cereal and maybe toast.” (Charlie Brown)



No matter your age, no matter your location, no matter your religion...if you grew up with a TV, you know these lines. You know the holy trinity of Peanuts holiday specials. You can maybe still hear the voices of some of the characters. You can definitely still see them dancing on stage in A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Let’s get to know the kids who brought them to life. Though some are now parents and grandparents, culturally, they will always be Peanuts
.
 
Here’s who
I tracked down and interviewed. 

By special:


A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965; 1st special to air)



It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966; 3rd special)



A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973; 10th special)


Unfortunately, Jim Ahrens, who portrayed Marcie, declined to participate.

By character:


  • Charlie Brown—Todd Barbee (Thanksgiving)
  • Lucy—Tracy Shaw (Christmas), Sally Dryer (Halloween), Robin Kohn Glazer (Thanksgiving)
  • Linus—Stephen Shea (Thanksgiving)
  • Sally—Cathy Steinberg (Christmas, Halloween), Hilary Momberger (Thanksgiving)
  • Peppermint Patty—Christopher deFaria (Thanksgiving)
  • Violet—Sally Dryer (Christmas)

By performer:


  • Tracy Shaw—Lucy (Christmas)
  • Cathy Steinberg—Sally (Christmas, Halloween)
  • Sally Dryer—Violet (Christmas), Lucy (Halloween)
  • Todd Barbee—Charlie Brown (Thanksgiving)
  • Robin Kohn Glazer—Lucy (Thanksgiving)
  • Stephen Shea—Linus (Thanksgiving)
  • Hilary Momberger—Sally (Thanksgiving)
  • Christopher deFaria—Peppermint Patty (Thanksgiving)

“I got a rock.”


We got a childhood.

First: Tracy Shaw—Lucy (Christmas).

3 comments:

  1. You did this Q&A series just for me, right? If not, I'm still going to pretend you did!

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  2. Funny- I went to school, Jr. High, with Jimmy Ahrens in 76-77 and 78 at Pleasanton Elementary. Everyone knew that he was the voice of Marcie- it was a big deal!

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  3. My sister Donna Forman now Donna LeTournea did the voice of Peppermint Patty for It is a Mystery Charlie Brown. She also did the voice for Be My Valentine Charlie Brown 1975. However I believe it never aired. She won a contest over the radio in San Francisco beating out for 1000 entries at first over the telephone. Donna as well as some of her children voiced some characters for the Sims Video Games

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