Charles Schulz

Charles Schulz
Years active	1937-1999

Charles M. Schulz (November 26th, 1922 - February 12th, 2000) was an American cartoonist. He is best known for creating the Peanuts comic strip, which introduced two of his most famous characters to date; Charlie Brown and Snoopy.

He is often regarded as one of the most important cartoonists, having inspired fellow cartoonists Jim Davis, Dav Pilkey, Matt Groening and Bill Watterson.

History with the Macy's Parade

Schulz’ involvement with the Parade team began in 1987. The previous year, Snoopy was out of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, for the first time in 20 years. After that, at the time Parade director Jean McFaddin went to Schulz, who would later be involved with the production and creation process of the Skater Snoopy balloon, alongside Manfred Bass, including its design and concept art. Schulz would also allow his daughter, Jill Schulz, to skate on the Peanuts Ice Rink float.

The following year, Schulz would be involved with the making of the Woodstock balloon. For unknown reasons, Schulz would not be involved with the making of the Snoopy balloon, with Manfred Bass designing it by himself, using a proposed 1987 design as a reference. Similar to the Snoopy balloon, Schulz would design its concept art and design.

Jill appeared in the Parade until 1989, when the Peanuts Ice Rink float was retired. The Snoopy & Woodstock balloons would also be retired after the 1995 Parade, making eight Parade appearances. Schulz' last involvement with the Parade was overseeing the production of the Millennium Snoopy balloon in 1999. Schulz would pass away in 2000, with the Millennium Snoopy cold air being inflated in California not too long after his death as a tribute to him. His widow, Jean Schulz, would become a balloon handler for the Peanuts balloons, beginning with the 2005 Charlie Brown balloon's appearance. She'd also handle the Peanuts balloons in 2006, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019.