Charles Schulz

Charles Schulz (http://www.animationartgallery.com/images/promotional/CharlesSchulz.jpg)

I think Charles Schulz is a true hero and great cartoonist. He once said, "Life is like a ten speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use." He is a hero because he is a very generous man; one example is that he gave money to good causes. Charles never gave up; he always worked hard, and he was an independent man. He made a famous comic strip called Peanuts. Don't you think he's a hero too? Well, when you're done reading I hope you think so too.

Charles Monroe Schulz had a tough childhood. He was born on November 26, 1922 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to his parents Carl and Dena Halverson Schulz. His father Carl worked at a barber shop. By kindergarten he knew he was born to draw. He went to a school called St. Paul's central High School. In junior high he was very short, and Charles thought no one liked him. He was nicknamed Sparky when he was two years old by his uncle; after a comic strip in the newspaper. He was often lonely and very shy. He got inspired to draw comics after the comic strips in the newspaper from his childhood. When Charles was in college no one liked his drawings that he drew. Charles didn't have a great childhood but that didn't matter because he is an honored cartoonist.

Charles had some challenges and problems. In 1999 he was diagnosed with cancer. Also, Charles mother died of cancer right when he was starting his career and when he was starting his training for the war in 1943. Also at first no company wanted to accept his drawings. Charles never had a girlfriend. Schulz was often lonely and had very few friends. In 1943 Charles was drafted into the army for World War 2 and he had to stop art school. When Charles wanted to see his comics appear in the newspaper more, his boss said no and, when Charles asked for more money instead the answer was no, so Charles quit. His problems never stopped him from becoming the person he is to us today.

Charles Schulz contributed many things to us. He was the creator of the comic strip, Peanuts. He gave money to organizations like the Jean and Charles Schulz information center at Sonoma State University. Also, he signed a contract with United Feature Syndicate in 1950 which helps cartoonists with their careers and make more money. Peanuts appeared in 2,000 newspapers across the world and was translated in many languages. I think Peanuts is the best comic strip ever!

The Peanuts Comic strip

Schulz had many awards and many honors. For example an airport was named after him near his home. The baseball Hall Of Fame set up an exhibit about the Peanuts comic strip because many of the strips had something to do with baseball. Also other cartoonists made their comics after him. Next, Charles has a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame! As you can see lots and lots of people honored him and gave him awards.

He had three main character traits. Charles was a very shy guy. When he was younger he never asked anyone out. He barely had any friends. Schulz had a lot of fun with his parents but not with other kids. He is a determined person too. When people didn't like his drawings, he still drew he never gave up. He first got a C in his art work but, he didn't care because Charles liked it. Sparky is a hard worker, and he worked until he had cancer. Charles played sports and was athletic. He made comic strips and movies for Peanuts all his life. Charles died at age 77 on Saturday February 12, 2000 from cancer in Santa Rosa California. Schulz was a shy, determined, and a hard working guy as you can tell.

I hope you now think Charles is a hero. He is a great person and an amazing cartoonist. If more people were like him this world would be a better place. Tons of people love and cherish his cartoons.