Fred Rogers



Fred Rogers (1928 - 2003) was an ordained Presbyterian minister who was the star of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, which was in production from 1968 to 2001. Premiering one year before Sesame Street, the two shows become synonymous with public television and more specifically their children's programming.

Although both Sesame Street and Mister Rogers Neighborhood are both long running critically acclaimed shows, Mister Rogers Neighborhood only garnered four Emmys (one for lifetime achievement) and the Peabody Award in 1968. It does, however, hold the distinction of being PBS' longest running show. While not considered a puppeteer, Fred Rogers was the hand behind many of his characters on his show, including King Friday XIII and Daniel Tiger. He also composed all of the music for his show.

He succumbed to stomach cancer shortly after his retirement from the show.

In 1981, Mr. Rogers appeared in Sesame Street Episode 1575, and Big Bird appeared in the "Neighborhood of Make-Believe" segments of Mister Rogers Neighborhood in the same year.