History of Mr. Peanut in Timeline

Mr. Peanut is the iconic mascot of Planters, a snack-food brand owned by Hormel. This anthropomorphic peanut, always seen in his shell, sports the attire of a bygone era gentleman: top hat, monocle, gloves, spats, and cane. His full name, Bartholomew Richard Fitzgerald-Smythe, hints at a British background.

1906: Planters Peanut Company Founded

The Planters Peanut Company was founded in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1906 by Amedeo Obici.

1916: Mr. Peanut is Born

A schoolboy named Antonio Gentile won a design contest in 1916, creating the original image of Mr. Peanut. Artist Andrew S. Wallach added the monocle, top hat, and cane.

1939: Antonio Gentile Passes Away

After Obici paid for his medical school education, Antonio Gentile became a doctor and passed away in 1939.

1974: Mr. Peanut Runs for Office

Vincent Trasov dressed as Mr. Peanut and ran as a joke candidate in Vancouver's 1974 civic elections.

2005: Mr. Peanut Appears in Super Bowl Commercial

Mr. Peanut appeared alongside other advertising mascots in a MasterCard commercial during Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005.

2006: Planters Holds Contest for Mr. Peanut's Attire

In 2006, Planters held a contest to see if the public wanted to make changes to Mr. Peanut's attire. The public voted for no changes.

November 8, 2010: Robert Downey Jr. Becomes Mr. Peanut's First Voice

On November 8, 2010, Robert Downey Jr. was announced as the first voice actor for Mr. Peanut.

2010: "Mr. Peanut" Novel Released

A novel titled "Mr. Peanut," written by Adam Ross, was released in 2010.

2011: Peanut Butter Doug is Introduced

Mr. Peanut's "stunt double," Peanut Butter Doug, was introduced in 2011 and voiced by Kevin Dillon.

July 1, 2013: Bill Hader Voices Mr. Peanut

Bill Hader became the voice of Mr. Peanut on July 1, 2013, for a campaign focusing on the Planters Nut-rition product line.

2017: Mr. Peanut Honored by Virginia General Assembly

The Virginia General Assembly passed a joint resolution commending Mr. Peanut in 2017.

2018: Mr. Peanut Revamped

Mr. Peanut was revamped and became silent once again in 2018.

January 22, 2020: Mr. Peanut's Super Bowl LIV Commercial Teaser

A teaser for Planters' Super Bowl LIV commercial was released on January 22, 2020, featuring Mr. Peanut, Wesley Snipes, and Matt Walsh. In the commercial, Mr. Peanut falls to his death, and the company stated his funeral would be the subject of the Super Bowl ad.

August 2020: Peanut Jr. is Introduced

The Baby Nut campaign continued in August 2020, with Baby Nut aging into a young adult named "Peanut Jr." This was met with mixed reactions from the public.

February 2021: Mr. Peanut Returns to Adulthood, Planters Announces New Campaign

Mr. Peanut returned to adulthood in February 2021. Planters announced a new campaign titled "A Nut Above" that would highlight people who "made the world a little less nutty" in 2020.

May 2021: Planters Relaunches Mr. Peanut with a New Look

Planters relaunched the Mr. Peanut character in May 2021 with a new, two-dimensional animated look, focusing on the nutritional qualities of their products.