Rogers, Fred (1928-2003), was one of the most popular personalities in the history of American children’s television. From 1968 to 2001, Rogers was the host of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” on national public television. The program won praise for its optimistic messages to young people to feel good about themselves and love others.
“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” mixed live performers with puppets, many created by Rogers himself. Rogers also composed music for the show. The program was filmed on a set that resembled a comfortable middle-class living room. Rogers began each program by changing into sneakers and a cardigan sweater. He sang the song “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” with its familiar first line, “It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood.”
Fred McFeely Rogers was born on March 20, 1928, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He first appeared on television in 1954 as a puppeteer in a program called “The Children’s Corner.” The program ran for seven years. It originated at station WQED in Pittsburgh, which became the home for “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” In 1963, Rogers was ordained a Presbyterian minister. Rogers also wrote many books and made numerous recordings for children. He died on Feb. 27, 2003.
Collections of Rogers’s writing published after his death include The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember (2003) and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers (2019). Rogers is the subject of the motion pictures Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018) and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019).
