Below you will find some information about the characters that appear in the Peanuts comic strip. To find out information about the people that bring Peanuts to life in the newspaper, on television, and in music, click on the biographies below.
There are many, many characters who have appeared in the Peanuts comic strip during it's 50 year original run in the world's newspapers. Here is some information about the main characters and the most popular characters. The book "50 Years of Happiness," by Derrick Bang and Victor Lee, was of great assistance in compiling the information listed here.
CHARLIE BROWN
Charlie Brown is truly the main character of the Peanuts comic strip. He appeared in the very first Peanuts comic strip on October 2, 1950. He is the big brother to Sally Brown and the owner of the beagle Snoopy. He is well known for his roll as baseball pitcher and his own team's manager. He is also well known for his other hobbies like flying kites, playing checkers, kicking the football, and longing after the little red haired girl. Unfortunately, he is famous for failing at almost all of these endeavors. His baseball team usually loses. Lucy always pulls away the football. Though he never did kick that football, he did hit a homerun to win a baseball game once. Charlie Brown always tries hard, and if he doesn't succeed he will always try again.
SNOOPY
This beagle is probably the most beloved character in the entire Peanuts comic strip. Snoopy was introduced on October 4, 1950, just two days after the strip premiered. Snoopy started out as a simple dog, faithful to his owner Charlie Brown. But quickly Snoopy began to discover the world around him. Through the comic strip we were able to see into Snoopy's fantasies. Snoopy enjoys pretending he is the World War One Flying Ace, sent to shoot down the Red Barron. He is also famous for his other personas like the Literary Ace, The Masked Marvel, The Beagle Scout, Joe Cool, Flashbeagle, and many, many others. Snoopy also enjoys kissing Lucy (which she hates) and stealing Linus' security blanket (which he doesn't like much either). Snoopy often plays shortstop for Charlie Brown's baseball team. Snoopy's best friend is the bird Woodstock.
SCHROEDER
Schroeder started out in the strip as an infant on May 30, 1951. While he began as a normal child, he soon showed his great talent for the piano and his devotion to all things Beethoven. More specifically he is able to play any Beethoven composition (or seemingly anything at all) on his favorite toy piano. Schroeder also spends time dodging the affections of Lucy who often leans on his toy piano in admiration. He is the catcher on Charlie Brown's baseball team.
LUCY VAN PELT
Lucy Van Pelt burst onto the comic strip page on March 3, 1952. Well known for her crabbiness, Lucy has the ability to bully her way with her little brother Linus and just about everyone else in the neighborhood. Not one for humility, Lucy helps out the more neurotic kids by setting up her psychiatric booth. For a mere 5 cents she will dispense her unique brand of pop psychology. Charlie Brown usually takes her up on this offer. While being a fuss-budget and a crab, Lucy has a soft side as well, which is most often displayed in her affection for Schroeder. Lucy feels that if she could just get rid of his piano, she would command his full attention.
LINUS VAN PELT
Linus was born into the Peanuts comic strip on September 19, 1952 as the little baby brother that Lucy never really wanted in the first place. Linus quickly aged enough to become the intellectual of the Peanuts gang. Though he is old beyond his years with his wisdom and insight, Linus retains his beloved security blanket. His blanket has been a heated issue with his embarrassed and overbearing sister and also with Snoopy, who is usually interested in having sole possession of the blanket for himself. Linus is also famous for his devotion to The Great Pumpkin. Linus believes that The Great Pumpkin will rise out of the most sincere pumpkin patch on Halloween night to bring toys to all the children of the world. Linus spends time dodging the affections of Sally Brown.
PIG PEN
Pig Pen showed up in a cloud of dust in the comic strip on July 13, 1954. His real name is a mystery, as is the reason for his continuous messiness. On one rare occasion he actually cleaned up and headed outside, only to discover he was a "dust magnet" who could not stay clean for more than a few minuets. A costume at Halloween does Pig Pen little good, since everyone knows he's under it with his cloud of dust. Even in the winter, Pig Pen is an absolute mess and makes the world's dirtiest snowmen.
SALLY BROWN
On May 25, 1959 Charlie Brown got a new baby sister. Sally didn't make an appearance in the Peanuts comic strip until August 23, 1959, but she didn't waste any time making in impact in the neighborhood. She immediately fell in love with Linus, her "sweet babboo." While Linus doesn't return the affection, Sally is rarely discouraged. She is always looking to move up in the world by attempting to take over her brother's room when he is away. Sally has her own (ever changing) philosophy on life, but always is worked up about attending school. It's no surprise since she is easily confused and has mangled the English language in more than one "show and tell" episode that went wrong.
PEPPERMINT PATTY
Peppermint Patty's real name is Patricia Reichardt and she was introduced into the comic strip on August 22, 1966. She shares Charlie Brown's (whom she calls "Chuck") enthusiasm for all sports, but she has the ability to excel at all of them, unlike Charlie Brown. Peppermint Patty lives across town from Charlie Brown and attends a different school, along with Marcie and Franklin. However, through sporting events, summer camp and holiday parties, Peppermint Patty has plenty of interaction with the Peanuts gang. She is a perpetual D-minus student in class, but a best friend to Marcie (even though Marcie calls Patty "sir"), Charlie Brown (whom she has a secret crush on) and Snoopy (whom she believed was a just a funny looking kid with a big nose for many years).
WOODSTOCK
While Snoopy had many bird friends early on in the comic strip, Woodstock was first bird to be mentioned by name on June 22, 1970. Woodstock quickly evolved into Snoopy's best friend. Together they share in each other's fantasy world. A couple of examples would be Woodstock typing for the World Famous Literary Ace and Snoopy helping Woodstock and the other birds play hockey on the frozen bird bath. Woodstock can only speak in a series of chirps that only Snoopy and other bird can translate. Woodstock also enjoys the Beagle Scouts where he and his other bird friends (Harriet, Bill, Oliver, Raymond, Fred, Roy, and Conrad) join Snoopy on camping adventures.
MARCIE
While she appears to have bumped into Peppermint Patty at summer camp in the comic strip on June 18, 1968, Marcie was not mentioned by name until October 11, 1971. Marcie is the best friend to Peppermint Patty, and they are complete opposites. While Peppermint Patty is good at sports, Marcie is terrible. While Peppermint Patty gets bad grades, Marcie is well adept at scholastics and the fine arts. Marcie also has a weird habit of usually calling Peppermint Patty "sir" or "Patricia." Marcie has a secret crush on Charlie Brown.
FRANKLIN
The first African-American character in the comic strip was Franklin and was introduced on July 31, 1968. Charlie Brown met Franklin at the beach and discovered that Franklin also attended school with Peppermint Patty and Marcie. Franklin usually plays on Peppermint Patty's baseball and football teams against Charlie Brown. Franklin is able to philosophize as well or better than Linus or Sally. He often uses his Grandpa in stories to illustrate his points and is quick to offer comments about the rest of the Peanuts gang or the world in general.
SPIKE
Snoopy was one dog in a litter of eight. He had five brothers and two sisters. Spike is the most famous of Snoopy's siblings and was introduced by name on August 13, 1975. Spike was separated from Snoopy and his other siblings at the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm. While Snoopy found Charlie Brown, Spike wandered off into the desert. Apparently he liked it enough to stay there. Skinny and sporting a mustache, Spike is his own dog. Though Spike has left the desert to visit his brother Snoopy on occasion. Once when he was to be Snoopy's Best Man at Snoopy's wedding, he wound up running off with the bride. Charlie Brown once tried to get him an owner to be closer to Snoopy, but he failed and Spike went back to the desert and his best friend, "Joe Cactus."
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