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Good Grief! Peanuts Writer Was Depressive

New biography depicts buried rage of comic artist

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 13, 2007 8:23 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Charles Shulz hid his dark side amid tales of Charlie, Lucy, Linus and Snoopy, according to a new biography. Snoopy's romance was secretly Shulz's extramarital affair, and Charlie Brown was victim to the very buried rage that Shulz took out on others. An old pal confirmed this dark portrayal, writing that Shulz had a “mean streak” that led to “not so humorous practical jokes.”

Other friends recall a combative sportsman who would wound rivals; some talk of Shulz holding grudges and enjoying victories over imagined foes. Shulz's rage traces back to parents and teachers who ignored him, Salon reports: "That kid isn't going to be worth five cents when he grows up,” a great-uncle once declared. "All he wants to do is scribble."

The late cartoonist Charles Schulz holds a drawing of his comic strip character Snoopy in this Sept. 29, 1995 file photo, in Santa Rosa, Calif. Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, is the subject of the new book Schulz and Peanuts
The late cartoonist Charles Schulz holds a drawing of his comic strip character "Snoopy" in this Sept. 29, 1995 file photo, in Santa Rosa, Calif. Schulz, the creator of "Peanuts", is the subject of the...   (Associated Press)
A model wears an outfit designed by talk show host Elisabeth Hasselbeck at the MetLife Snoopy in Fashion show during Fashion Week in New York, Friday, Sept. 7, 2007. Designers and celebrities created custom outfits inspired by the Peanuts characters and the clothes will be auctioned on eBay to benefit...
A model wears an outfit designed by talk show host Elisabeth Hasselbeck at the MetLife "Snoopy in Fashion" show during Fashion Week in New York, Friday, Sept. 7, 2007. Designers and celebrities created...   (Associated Press)
A child plays on statues of comic characters from Peanuts at...
A child plays on statues of comic characters from Peanuts at...   (Getty Images (by Event))
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Celebrates Its 80th Year
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Celebrates Its 80th Year   (Getty Images)
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO-- An early version of Snoopy, painted on the wall of Charles Schulz' daughter's room in 1951.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO-- An early version of Snoopy, painted on the wall of Charles Schulz' daughter's room in 1951.   (KRT Photos)
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Schulz family incensed by biography, call portrait of depression false
International Herald Tribune

Blogger: Schulz is a model of stability compared to some cartoonists
New York

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Vietnam • depression • Coca Cola • biography • cartoonist • Peanuts • Schulz • Charlie Brown • Snoopy • Linus • Great Pumpkin • Eisenhower

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