Craig Frederick Schulz (born January 22, 1953) is an American producer, screenwriter, motocross racer, pilot, and instructor. He has often worked on adaptations of the Peanuts comic strip, created by his father, Charles M. Schulz.
Life and career
Craig Schulz was born in Minneapolis on January 22, 1953, to Peanuts cartoonist Charles M. Schulz and Joyce Halverson.[1] He has four siblings, including Meredith Hodges. He moved with his family to Sebastopol, California, in 1958, and later to Santa Rosa, California, in 1969.[2][3]
In 1971, Schulz became a motocross racer, and competed in hundreds of races across the United States. Schulz's father was inspired by his son to create You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown, which aired in 1975.[4] Schulz later became a flight instructor, and is a certified helicopter pilot.[5] In 1989, he made headlines when he flew his father's private jet to Mexico, escorting detectives to arrest spree killer Ramon Salcido.[6]
Schulz serves as president and CEO of Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, which manages the licensing for the Peanuts brand. In 2008, Schulz produced a series of online shorts, Peanuts Motion Comics, based on the comic strip.[7] Schulz and Stephan Pastis co-wrote the 2011 special Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown, the first Peanuts special produced with no direct involvement from Schulz's father; Schulz and Pastis also adapted the special into a graphic novel of the same name.[8] Beginning in 2019, Schulz began producing several new Peanuts specials and shows for Apple TV+, for which he has been nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards.[9]
In 2011, Schulz appeared as a guest judge on Food Network Challenge, in an episode themed around Charlie Brown Thanksgiving cakes.
Schulz was a producer and co-writer of The Peanuts Movie (2015). In September 2023, Schulz expressed interest in another Peanuts feature film,[10] which was announced in November, with Schulz returning to co-produce and co-write the script.[11]
Personal life
Schulz lives in Santa Rosa, with his wife, Judy. He has two children, and has worked with his son Bryan on Peanuts projects.[6][12][13]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Producer | Writer | Other | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | A Boy Named Charlie Brown | Template:Yes | Documentary | ||
| 2008 | Peanuts Motion Comics | Template:Yes | Creative consultant | ||
| 2011 | Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown | Template:Yes | Template:Yes | ||
| 2015 | The Peanuts Movie | Template:Yes | Template:Yes | ||
| 2019 | Peanuts in Space: Secrets of Apollo 10 | Template:Yes | Documentary | ||
| 2019 | Snoopy in Space | Template:Yes | |||
| 2021 | Who Are You, Charlie Brown? | Template:Yes | Documentary | ||
| 2021 | The Snoopy Show | Template:Yes | |||
| 2021 | Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne | Template:Yes | |||
| 2022 | Snoopy Presents: It's The Small Things, Charlie Brown | Template:Yes | Template:Yes | ||
| 2022 | Snoopy Presents: To Mom (and Dad), With Love | Template:Yes | |||
| 2022 | Snoopy Presents: Lucy's School | Template:Yes | Template:Yes | ||
| 2023 | Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie | Template:Yes | |||
| 2024 | Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin | Template:Yes | Template:Yes |