The debonair pear-shaped advertising personality of Mr. Peanut is being remembered by peanut lovers across the globe after Planters announced his passing Wednesday morning at the age of 104.
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The Kraft Foods’ snacking brand announced the reported death of the legendary mascot along with the announcement of its upcoming Super Bowl commercial. Mr. Peanut’s death was announced late Wednesday morning on his Twitter page, where the handle was changed to The Estate of Mr. Peanut. The marquee-name nut icon, whose real name is Bartholomew Richard Fitzgerald-Smythe, was always clad in a top hat, monocle, white gloves and his cane in tow.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we confirm MR. PEANUT has passed away at 104 years old,” Samantha Hess, Planters brand manager at Kraft Heinz, said in a statement. “He will be remembered as the legume who always brought people together for nutty adventures and a good time.”
The sad state of affairs all came about due to Mr. Peanut’s passion for saving lives, according to Hess’ statement.
In the new advertisement, the late peanut icon, Matt Walsh and Wesley Snipes embark on a “nutty adventure” in the NUTmobile. While on the ride, Mr. Peanut is forced to swerve, causing the vehicle to spin out of control. The trio jumps out of the NUTmobile, clinging to a tree branch, as the vehicle careens down into a deep canyon below.
“They momentarily find safety until their combined weight begins to break the branch. In the ultimate act of friendship, MR. PEANUT lets go and sacrifices himself to save his friends from impending doom,” reads the statement from Planters.
Hess encouraged fans to tune in to Mr. Peanut’s funeral during the third quarter of the Super Bowl to pay tribute to his life.
Several fans and friends, including Mr. Clean, paid tribute to Mr. Peanut on Twitter.
Most of the Twitter users speaking on Mr. Peanut’s demise seemed to find comedy in the fictional mascot’s sudden death.
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