While traveling with two actors (including funnyman Matt Walsh) through a windy desert road on Wednesday, the Nutmobile Mr. Peanut was traveling in careened off a cliff, sending the Planters pitchman to his death. Mr. Peanut's estate confirmed his passage at the age of 104 in a tweet, and footage of the tragedy was posted on YouTube.
All of this, naturally, has to do with Planters' Super Bowl advertising campaign, which will culminate in the airing of Mr. Peanut's funeral during the third quarter of the February 2 game.
His "death" drew a slew of amused reactions on Twitter, where editor Jonathan Cohn wrote, "Mr. Peanut, who wore a monocle and top hat while selling fellow peanuts, was the ultimate capitalist."