History of Mr. Peanut in Timeline

Mr. Peanut is the iconic advertising logo and mascot for Planters, a snack-food company. He is an anthropomorphic peanut, distinguished by his formal attire including a top hat, monocle, white gloves, spats, and cane, portraying the image of a classic gentleman. Reportedly of British heritage and with the given name Bartholomew Richard Fitzgerald-Smythe, Mr. Peanut has been a recognizable symbol for the Planters brand for decades.

1906: Planters Peanut Company Founded

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

1916: Mr. Peanut Design

In 1916, Antonio Gentile's drawing of an anthropomorphic peanut was selected in a design contest, and commercial artist Andrew S. Wallach added the monocle, top hat, and cane to create the iconic Mr. Peanut image.

1939: Antonio Gentile's Death

In 1939, Antonio Gentile, who designed the original Mr. Peanut, passed away in Newport News due to a heart attack after becoming a doctor.

1974: Mr. Peanut as Joke Candidate

In 1974, the artist Vincent Trasov, dressed as Mr. Peanut, ran as a joke candidate in the Vancouver, British Columbia civic elections.

2005: MasterCard "Icons" Commercial

In 2005, Mr. Peanut appeared in MasterCard's "Icons" commercial during Super Bowl XXXIX, which featured several advertising mascots having dinner together.

2006: Online Contest for Mr. Peanut's Look

In 2006, Planters held an online contest to determine whether to add a bow tie, cufflinks, or pocketwatch to Mr. Peanut's design, but the public voted for no changes.

2009: Mr. Peanut Update

In 2009, Mr. Peanut went through an update, prior to being revamped again in 2018.

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

On November 8, 2010, Planters announced that actor Robert Downey Jr. would become Mr. Peanut's first-ever voice actor.

2010: Mr. Peanut Novel by Adam Ross

In the 2010 novel "Mr. Peanut" by Adam Ross, a man fantasizes about killing his peanut-allergic wife by force-feeding her peanuts.

Adam Ross'Mr. Peanut [Hardcover](2010)

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2011: Introduction of Peanut Butter Doug

In 2011, Mr. Peanut's "stunt double", Peanut Butter Doug, voiced by Kevin Dillon, was introduced to tie in with the Planter's Peanut Butter launch.

July 1, 2013: Bill Hader as Voice for Planters Nut-rition

On July 1, 2013, Planters cast comedian and Saturday Night Live alumnus Bill Hader as the voice for a campaign focusing on its Planters Nut-rition product line.

2017: Virginia General Assembly Commendation

In 2017, the Virginia General Assembly passed a joint resolution commending Mr. Peanut.

2018: Mr. Peanut Revamped

In 2018, Mr. Peanut was revamped and became silent again, marking the first change since 2009.

2018: The Electric State Illustrated Novel Release

In 2018, Simon Stålenhag released the illustrated novel The Electric State.

The Electric State

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January 22, 2020: Teaser for Super Bowl LIV Commercial

On January 22, 2020, Planters released a teaser for its Super Bowl LIV commercial featuring Mr. Peanut, Wesley Snipes, and Matt Walsh, depicting Mr. Peanut's death. The company's social media outlets stated that his funeral would be the subject of Planters' Super Bowl ad.

August 2020: Launch of Peanut Jr.

In August 2020, Planters launched a continuation of the campaign, revealing that Baby Nut had aged into a 21-year-old young adult called Peanut Jr., leading to volatile reactions.

2020: "A Nut Above" Campaign

In 2020, Planters launched "A Nut Above" campaign to highlight people "who made the world a little less nutty".

February 2021: End of Baby Nut Campaign

In February 2021, the Baby Nut campaign ended, with Mr. Peanut returning to adulthood; Planters introduced a new campaign, "A Nut Above", highlighting people who made the world a little less nutty in 2020.

May 2021: Relaunch of Mr. Peanut

In May 2021, in preparation for the sale of Planters by Kraft to Hormel, Planters relaunched the Mr. Peanut character with new commercials depicting a two-dimensional, animated version of the mascot, and focusing on the nutritional qualities of its products.