*I participated in this campaign as a Peanuts 50 Years on TV Brand Ambassador. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. All opinions are 100% my own.
Over the years, there are few television characters who stand out in my mind as much as my beloved Lucy from the Peanuts specials. I have always felt like she was a cartoon version of me with her confidence and courage to say all of the things that nobody else was brave enough to do so. You can imagine how excited I was to have the opportunity to interview the woman behind the voice of Lucy and Violet, Sally Dryer.
Sally Dryer was born in San Mateo, California in 1957. Not only was she a child actress but she is also well known for the voice-overs that she did during the 1960s. Dryer provided the voices for several Peanuts characters on television and in film but was most notably recognized from being the voice of Lucy in the four Peanuts specials including You’re in Love, Charlie Brown, He’s Your Dog, Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown’s All-Stars, and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.
Here is what Sally had to say about her experiences being the voice of Lucy and Violet:
What was it like for you to to do this as your first job?
Yes, my first job at age 8! It was unknown at that point, an experiment. Lee Mendelson had approached Charles Schulz for years to do an animated special, and Schulz always said no. Finally, he said, “I’ll do it, but it has to be real kids’ voices.” For me, it was a fun way to get out of school. We didn’t know what it become, for sure!
Can you describe the process of how they recorded your voices?
There were a group of kids in Southern California: the boy who played Linus, Peter Robbins [Charlie Brown], and the original Lucy were in Los Angeles, where they recorded with Bill Melendez. Lee Mendelson recorded with us in San Francisco at a studio on Van Ness Ave.
They’d record us one at a time: Lee Mendelson would say a line to us, and we’d repeat it. We’d try to repeat with inflections he gave us. Sometimes we’d hit it on the first try, and other times we’d have to go over and over and over again.
Were you excited to be cast as Lucy?
It was a good thing. I had no idea how bratty my voice was, but all my neighbors were like, “Oh yeah, she’s Lucy all right!” The neighborhood knew before I did!
Lucy was more fun to play. You get to say what you think! She’s such a smart aleck. You get to really embrace that crabby person within you and it’s okay.
What did you get paid?
I got paid a whopping $100 per show! It was the 60s and an unknown thing. My mother’s philosophy was, “Whatever—just have fun.” That’s what it was about.
I occasionally get residuals, sometimes 9 dollars and 33 cents, sometimes a couple hundred dollars. I had to put it in a college fund. Fortunately, I went to a state school in California!
Sally went on to tell me that she really wasn’t a fan of Peanuts before being hired to play to the voice of Lucy. She knew of the comic strip due to her mother reading it regularly in the San Francisco Chronicle but she didn’t know much about it otherwise. Also, she revealed to me that, although she has always admired Lucy’s frankness and willingness to say anything, Snoopy has always been her favorite Peanuts character.
Currently, Sally lives with her partner in Jerome, Arizona and they run a store called Nellie Bly, selling art kaleidoscopes and art glass. Their store sells the making of A Charlie Brown Christmas and Great Pumpkin books and she often gets approached for autographs by fans of Peanuts. It was a privilege and a pleasure to be able to interview her and get an inside look into one of my all-time favorite characters!
Let’s Discuss: Which one of the Peanuts’ characters was your favorite and why?
Giveaway:
Our Sponsor is giving away a Peanuts Christmas Prize Pack containing two hardcover collectable Peanuts Holiday Classics to one reader of Tough Cookie Mommy!a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: This post is part of a blogging campaign as a Peanuts 50 Years on TV Brand Ambassador. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
© 2014, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
I grew up with The Peanuts so this is very cool indeed. Lucy was one of my favorite characters.
That’s too funny that everyone thought she’d make a good Lucy! Really neat interview!
I always liked Woodstock to be honest. I also really got a kick out of pigpen!
Snoopy was my favorite character but I love all the characters. Admittedly Lucy as the shrink was hilarious.
I would have to say my favorite is and always has been Charlie Brown, don’t really know why, just is!
Sally was always one of my favorites. I liked that she was sweet and somewhat naive.
What a very cool opportunity, I loved reading the interview! My favorite Peanuts character? Snoopy, of course!
Anyone who answers anything besides Woodstock is lying. He/she/it is everyone’s favorite.
Snoopy and Woodstock. I can’t pick just one because these two go together like Tom & Jerry. Thanks for the behind the scenes look into one of my all time favorites!
That’s crazy that she was only paid $100 way back then. This is such a classic! We look forward to watching Charlie Brown shows every year around Christmas.
I like Lucy-she’s a woman who knows what she wants, and will stop at nothing to get it!
I like Linus for the win. He is the best 🙂
I love Charlie Brown. I just feel like I can identify with him.
This is so cool to get an inside look at Peanuts! My toddler loves Snoopy and I’m so glad people are still enjoying it after all these years.
My favorite character has always been woodstock the bird. He is too cute.
what and experience to give life to Lucy with her voice! My favorite has always been Linus though 🙂
I always love watching Peanuts around the holidays. Thanks for the giveaway!
It is so cool reading all these things about a show I grew up loving. x
Awesome! Peppermint Patty was my favorite when I was younger just because I liked her name.
What a neat interview! $100 a show – I love it!
Baha! I love that the kids just thought it was fun. Great interview! I can’t believe they got $100!
I would have to say Lucy. I liked her strong character and attitude. So cool to learn who the voice was behind the character.
Snoopy will always be my favorite. He’s just so laid back and chill, I like his attitude! What a fun interview, getting to know the lady behind the voice!
I do love Peanuts. From way back when. I have always loved the holiday specials. I don’t think I can pick a favorite although who doesn’t love snoopy! This was a great interview with a lot of interesting info.
I am always so intrigued by the actors’ voices behind animated characters. I think it requires such a high level of acting skill to match the voice with the personality of the character
Wow so cool! I love Lucy even though she was mean to Charlie Brown a lot lol
I love Snoopy because he is so funny, so lovable and so cute..and also really intelligent and love his bff woodstock too!
Very cool. Charlie Brown is such a classic. Great interview.
What an awesome interview! Snoopy was probably my favorite … no idea why. LOL He just always cracked me up.
I love Linus he seems sad all the tie
Lucy because she tells it like it is!
Ohhhh I saw this on G+ and had to come enter. I love The Peanuts. Snoopy is my favorite because he’s smart. He’s also pretty cute, and he uses his imagination to become the Red Baron (totally cool).
I love pig pen because he reminds me of my kids!
My favorite Snoopy character is Linus. I love the security blanket and he reminds me of my grandchildren with their blankie.
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I guess my favorite would be Charlie Brown as he seems to have so many life lessons to learn just like most other kids.
My favorite is Snoopy,he is so cute and up to something all the time! But you have to admit that he is very smart!
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I love Charlie Brown! This is a great interview with a classic character.
I loved Charlie Brown and well, Snoopy. Those were my favorites.
Charlie Brown is great – he keeps getting up even when other ones are mean to him.
It is hard to choose just one. Charlie Brown or snoopy would be my favorite. I used to sing the snoopy and red Barron song. Charlie Brown always had the worst luck.
My favorite character is Lucy. She is so opinionated and practices psychology on everyone.
My favorite Peanuts character is Lucy. She always stood up for herself and did not take crap from anyone!
lucy has always been my favorite, she was so sassy and i liked that she showed being “bossy” isn’t always bad.
I’ve always loved Peppermint Patty’s sidekick Marcie! Probably because I was like her as a girl…smart, geeky, glasses-wearing. She keeps everyone else on track!
I love Charlie, he is such a great guy and a great pal to all.
My favorite Peanuts character of all time has always been Linus!
I always liked ReRun but he was not shown very often. Sally was my favorite of the regulars.
I’ve always been partial to Schroeder. He’s quiet, but smart and plays a mean piano.
I have always been a huge fan of charlie brown. He is cute and practical
My favorite Peanuts character is Snoopy. I have always thought he was so cute and funny.
My favorite Peanuts character was Lucy because she was “bossy” and sassy.
My favorite is Linus. He reminds me of my youngest son always sucking his thumb, sweet, and cuddling.
My favorite Peanuts character is Woodstock. He is so cute even though he never says a word.
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I like Woodstock because of his name:)
Snoopy is my favorite Peanuts character. I remember watching as a child and he was just the cutest thing. Snoopy is the dog everybody wants. 🙂
My favorite is Snoopy because I’m a big dog lover and have always thought he’s so cute!
I love Snoopy 🙂
i always love Lucy.. i loved that show
I always loved Lucy. Even as a little girl on the show she was portrayed as a strong independent women that is not to be messed with.
I love Linus because he reminds me of my youngest son carrying his blankie!
I like lucy the best, she is whitty and knows what she wants.
snoopy because he’s always cool, always liked seeing how he’d react next to their antics
My favorite Peanuts character is snoopy. He was cool when I was a child and now I realize he is always relaxed and I would like a little of that relaxed attitude.
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for me it is snoopy! i love that dog and his imagination 😀
I really am not sure why but my fave has been woodstock and Peppermint Patty, with her i guess it is her tough tomboy outer apperance but still she is a girl. I also like snoopy especially as the red baron.
I love Lucy 🙂 {love that show too!} She always had the best commentary.
i love linus hes so cute with him little blankie thanks for this great prize package peanuts is a great cartoon i grew up to watching them and share them with my kids they to love peanuts
Snoopy, hands down. I decorate my house every year with all of my Snoopy Christmas decor
My favorite character is Peppermint Patty. I love her verve.
Charlie Brown and Snoopy I have two and my children have yet to see this or any of the great old cartoons so I would love to sit down and watch it with them
I always liked Linus! I don’t know if it was the blankie or what but I have always liked him,
Snoopy because he’s cute.
My favorite is Pig Pen because he always has that puff of dirt all around him and always made me smile!
My favorite is Charlie Brown because I Love how he talks and acts, so cute!!
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my favorite peanuts character is Snoopy, cute and adorable.
My favorite character is Snoopy. I love his interaction with the Charlie Brown gang.
I always liked Lucy. I thought she was funny.
My favorite character is Lucy, she reminds me of my daughter.
Lucy is my favorite because she aggravates Charlie Brown.
My favorite character is Woodstock. He’s just so funny and cute!