Good Grief! Peanuts Writer Was Depressive

Charles Shulz hid his dark side amid tales of Charlie, Lucy, Linus and Snoopy, according to a new biography. Snoopy's romance was secretly Shulz's extramarital affair, and Charlie Brown was victim to the very buried rage that Shulz took out on others. An old pal confirmed this dark portrayal, writing that Shulz had a “mean streak” that led to “not so humorous practical jokes.”

Other friends recall a combative sportsman who would wound rivals; some talk of Shulz holding grudges and enjoying victories over imagined foes. Shulz's rage traces back to parents and teachers who ignored him, Salon reports: "That kid isn't going to be worth five cents when he grows up,” a great-uncle once declared. "All he wants to do is scribble." (More Peanuts stories.)