On June 28, 1996 Charles M. Schulz received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The award was given by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and honors Schulz for his years of entertainment in various mediums. Pictured is Schulz showing his award at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park. Scroll down to read about character licensing.

Charles M. Schulz, Snoopy & Laughter

When the final Peanuts Sunday strip appeared in newspapers on Sunday, February 13, 2000, word had already spread that  Charles Schulz died the day before at age 77, succumbing to complications from colon cancer.

At the time of his retirement two month earlier on December 14, 1999, the Peanuts comic strip was syndicated in over 2,600 newspapers worldwide, with book collections translated in over 25 languages.

"I have always wanted to be a cartoonist and I feel very blessed to have been able to do what I love for almost 50 years," Schulz said. "That all of you have embraced Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy and Linus and all the other Peanuts characters has been a constant motivation for me."

Charles Schulz was born in Minneapolis and moved his family with the first of two wives to Sebastopol in Sonoma County in 1958.

He and his second-wife, Jean Schulz, built a house in the hills on the eastern side of Santa Rosa and were married there in September 1973. The house, countless memories, and personal collection of invaluable items the couple collected, went up in flames in the Sonoma fire in October 2017. The resilient and determined woman has capably managed the Schulz empire and served as president of the board of directors for the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center built in Santa Rosa  two years after the cartoonist's death. Fortunately, most of his collection of original comic strips, artwork and memorabilia is housed at the museum, which was untouched by the fire.

Rotating exhibits feature characters Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang. There's also an indoor ice skating rink, The Redwood Empire Ice Arena (snoopyshomeice.com), which  hosted the Women's Tennis Classics: The Snoopy Cup, and has hosted world famous Olympic skaters such as Scott Hamilton.

Character Licensing

In September 2017 Cedar Fair announced it will continue to showcase the beloved Peanuts Worldwide brand with exclusive rights to showcase the Peanuts characters in its dozen or so attractions, entertainment and sports, food and beverage, lodging and retail operations through 2025. An added five-year option exercisable at Cedar Fair's discretion may extend the contract to 2030.

Craig Schulz, president and chief executive officer of Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, cited the successful relationship since 1983 when Camp Snoopy first opened at Knott's Berry Farm. As of 2017, the theme parks where you may see the Peanuts brand include these California theme parks:

• California's Great America Santa Clara, California opened in 1976 | 2006 Acquired in Paramount Parks deal
• Gilroy Gardens Gilroy, California opened 2001 | 2006  management contract with Cedar Fair, acquired in Paramount Parks deal
• Knott's Berry Farm Buena Park, California opened in 1940 | 1997 acquired by Cedar Fair from Knott Family
• Boomerang Bay California's Great America opened 2004 |  2006  acquired in Paramount Parks deal

Knott's Soak City Buena Park, California opened 1999

Schulz Quotes

Charles M. Schulz (1992)
I was raised during the Depression struggle, which didn't affect me personally, because I don't think little kids are into what's going on. If you have pancakes for dinner, you think that's wonderful because you like pancakes. You don't realize that you're probably having them because your parents can't afford anything more.

Charles M. Schulz (1977)
Peanuts are the grandest people in the world. All children are peanuts. They're delightful, funny, irresistible, and wonderfully unpredictable. I really hate to see them grow out of the peanut stage.

Family moves to California

By the spring of 1958, the Schulz family unit was complete with the birth of Jill Marie on April 20. Her siblings, eldest to youngest: Meredith, Monte, Craig, and Amy. Charles and Joyce Schulz had already started planning a move to California, but weren't sure exactly what town they'd end up in. The Schulzes were taken to Sonoma County to view Coffee Grounds, a 28-acre property in Sebastopol that would soon become their home for nearly 15 years.

Community Causes and Accolades

May 24, 1967
A resolution from the California Legislative Assembly declares this day as Charles Schulz Day in honor of his success with the comic strip, Peanuts.

July-August 1974
Charles M. Schulz made his first and only appearance at Comic-Con in San Diego with a chalk talk. He received Inkpot award for achievement in the comic art medium. Comic-Con began in 1970 and has grown to become the largest comics gathering in the country.

1973-1979
Charles and Jean Schulz hosted the Northern California Cartoonists and Humorists Association event at their home. A contest allowed cartoonist to draw the last panel of a future Peanuts strip. Noted artists in attendance included Cathy Guisewite and Jim Davis.

June 29, 1983
Schulz became an Honorary Ranger of Camp Snoopy in Knott's Berry Farm. The camp has Peanuts themed rides, and Snoopy is the official mascot.
 
May 30, 1983
CBS aired What Have we Learned, Charlie Brown. The special highlights many monuments to both World War I and II and emphasizes the sacrifices made by the troops that fought in them. It received the George Foster Peabody Award.

March 16, 1990
Why, Charlie Brown, Why premieres. The Emmy nominated special deals with a new character named Janice who is diagnosed with cancer. Schulz received an award from the American Cancer Society for bringing hope and understanding to children with cancer.

August 15, 2002
The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center opens its doors to the public. The Museum has welcomed more than 1 million visitors from around the world, exhibited 3,500+ original comic strips, and hosted more than 173 Cartoonists-in-Residence.
 

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