Fred 'Mister' Rogers Dies of Cancer at 74
Fred Rogers, Host of 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood', Dies of Cancer at 74

The Associated Press
PITTSBURGH Feb. 27 —


Fred Rogers, who gently invited millions of children to be his neighbor as host of the public television show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" for more than 30 years, died of cancer early Thursday. He was 74.

Rogers died at his Pittsburgh home, said family spokesman David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely on the show. Rogers had been diagnosed with stomach cancer sometime after the holidays, Newell said.

"He was so genuinely, genuinely kind, a wonderful person," Newell said. "His mission was to work with families and children for television. ... That was his passion, his mission, and he did it from day one."

From 1968 to 2000, Rogers, an ordained Presbyterian minister, produced the show at Pittsburgh public television station WQED. The final new episode, which was taped in December 2000, aired in August 2001, though PBS affiliates continued to air back episodes.

Rogers composed his own songs for the show and began each episode in a set made to look like a comfortable living room, singing "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood," as he donned sneakers and a zip-up cardigan.

"I have really never considered myself a TV star," Rogers said in a 1995 interview. "I always thought I was a neighbor who just came in for a visit."

His message remained simple: telling his viewers to love themselves and others. On each show, he would take his audience on a magical trolley ride into the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, where his puppet creations would interact with each other and adults.

Rogers did much of the puppet work and voices himself.

Rogers taught children how to share, deal with anger and even why they shouldn't fear the bathtub by assuring them they'll never go down the drain.

Rogers' show won four Emmy Awards, plus one for lifetime achievement. He was given a George Foster Peabody Award in 1993, "in recognition of 25 years of beautiful days in the neighborhood."

One of Rogers' red sweaters hangs in the Smithsonian Institution.

Rogers was born in Latrobe, 30 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. He was ordained in 1962 with a charge to continue his work with children and families through television.

Rogers' gentle manner was the butt of some comedian's jokes. Eddie Murphy parodied him on "Saturday Night Live" in the 80's with his "Mister Robinson's Neighborhood," a routine Rogers found funny and affectionate.

Rogers is survived by his wife, Joanne, a concert pianist; two sons and two grandsons.

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I didn't watch him as much as some of our Pixes may have since I was already a teenager when his program debuted. But I watched when my children were young. I was always impressed by his gentle manner and by the way he addressed children's fears and concerns. He never minimized those fears.
He was a good man, and as Lilith said in chat this morning, he was a "pure soul."

He will truly be missed.

May his soul Rest In Peace.

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Very Sad.

He was truly a sweet and gentle man. He helped raised my children, and most of the children of the TV watching world.

In a world starved of positive role-models, we are now diminished a bit more.

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I am saddened more than is possible to express. He was my hero, my mentor, my childhood friend, and my neighbor. I read alot about him and was inspired by his love of children and his ideals on how they should be treated. When all the other kids grew up and began to watch the Bugaloos and cartoons, I still tuned in everyday because he gave me a sense of comfort, made me feel as if everything was ok in the Land of Make Believe, then everything would be ok with me too. Jim Henson and Mr. Rogers were 2 of the sexiest men in the world to me........it's a heart thing!

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Gotta agree with you on that one Lilith! They were 2 of the world's greatest men. They will be sorely missed by all.

I never thought news like this would make me so sad. I agree with H@rd Rock, he was a great role model and now our world has lost one of the good guys that kids could really look up to. He will be missed!

I hope he knew the positive influence he had on so many children and parents. I almost feel like a little part of my childhood has died along with him...but he's one of those great parts of childhood you'll always treasure.

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OH.. no.. that is so sad. Sadly the gentle kind soul that he was able to display on public television will never be duplicated...

Rest in Peace Mr. Rogers... I know it's a beautiful day in your new neighborhood.

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It is really sad. I think all seven of our kids watched him at one time or another and enjoyed his show. It's too bad to lose someone who does so much good in this world.

Aqua said it well ... RIP, Mr. Rogers. It'll be nice to know that you're now in a neighborhood that has beautiful days ... every day.

I hope they keep his show running for future generations.......it would be a shame for children of today to not know of Mr. Rogers kind soul!

I grew up with Sally Starr, Pixanne, Gene London, Happy the Clown...and in part, Fred Rogers. I may have been too old to let anyone "officially" know I watched....but I watched!

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http://pbskids.org/rogers/parents/


If you go to his site, they have prepared a page on how to talk to your kids about his death. Amazing man, even in death he is teaching kids to accept their feelings.

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The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give orders better from there.~ Betty Grable

If I wanted your opinion, I'd remove the duct tape and ask you for it.~ Me
<~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
One man's dream is another man's nightmare~~~~> §¤ Lilith ¤§
~>My Scribbles<~
==>Gone Shopping<== ~Just a Quickie~ *~A Celebration Vacation~* ~Surprises~ Sleeping With the Window Open
What Did You Do Today? Self Defense Class ~Short Sweet Snippets~ § Summer Spin § Story Challenge Submission Pajamas

I remember my kids being captivated by him......I would watch bits and pieces of his show finding his presence so inviting and caring.....so much so that I was hooked too. I swear his voice was hypnotic......great guy that taught my children and myself some valuble life lessons.

it is a sad day I grew up watching him and I never seen a more gentle person on television my childern did nt quite get to watch him. He had a wonderful outlook on life, he even enjoyed the spoof Eddie Murphy did on him on Saturday Night Live

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Mr Rogers was an amazing man..i loved his show so much.He was loving,positive,caring and compassionate.I have so many great memories of watching him with my great gram when i was little.It;s truly sad...i have a link to an amazing poem he wrote i hope everyone will take time to read it,it takes a few secs for it to load but its worth it !!
http://www.funforwards.com/flash/fe...ers_tribute.cfm

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Mr Rogers was a very special person to me. I so much enjoyed his shows as a little boy. One of the kindest, most gentle souls I ever saw. He is one person who definitely left the world a better place!

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