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We all have a little Charlie Brown in us, according to creator Charles M. Schulz
He drew from his own life experiences to create the Peanuts gang.
Peanuts was an iconic comic strip that spanned nearly 50 years and continues to capture hearts around the world. Today, Snoopy seems to be everywhere—from plush toys and mugs and fashion collaborations.
He’s easy to love, and he’s not alone. All of creator Charles M. Schulz’s characters have a timeless charm.
According to a 1978 interview with The Standard, Schulz made his characters relatable on purpose—because they each reflected a little bit of himself.
"Charlie Brown defines something we all have," Schulz said. "People can relate to a loser like Charlie Brown because most can identify more with losing than winning."
It was Schulz’s honesty that made Peanuts so universally loved. He didn’t create perfect heroes—he created neighbors and classmates we felt like we already knew.
"The characters are people you’d like being around, to have for neighbors," Schulz said. "Snoopy is a dog most of us would like to have. They also have an ability to pinpoint some of our problems."
At the time of the interview, Schulz was still writing and drawing the strip himself. His comic was syndicated in more than 2,000 newspapers worldwide. That’s right—the little guy got a big lift.
Despite the Peanuts empire bringing in $150 million annually, Schulz remained humble and connected to his characters—especially Charlie Brown. He even said that he considered himself just as much a loser as Charlie Brown, because the character was based on him. But fans, history, and the legacy he left behind would say otherwise.
Snoopy, America’s favorite beagle, was inspired by Schulz’s childhood dog who he had when he was 13.
"He is a beagle because it has a nice ring to it," Schulz said. "I couldn’t see Lucy calling him, 'You stupid golden retriever!'"
Schulz poured his life into Peanuts, and the strip became an extension of himself—his memories, thoughts, and hopes. That’s what made it irreplaceable. That’s what made it special.
"As long as I’m dealing with a dog who sits in a doghouse composing novels, no one can follow me without it being obvious," Schulz said.
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