Fred Rogers: Beloved Host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Dies at 74

Fred Rogers was an American television host, producer, songwriter and Presbyterian minister, the creator and star of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Born on March 20, 1928, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, he started in television at NBC in New York.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood ran on PBS from 1968 to 2001 with 895 episodes, and spoke to young children with gentleness and respect. In 1969 he testified before the U.S. Senate in support of funding for public television. He was ordained a minister in 1963 but never led a church.

Rogers received the Peabody Award (1992), a Lifetime Achievement Emmy (1997), the Television Hall of Fame (1999) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2002). He married Joanne Byrd in 1952 and they had two sons. He died at his home in Pittsburgh on February 27, 2003, at age 74, of stomach cancer.

Achievements: Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968-2001), Peabody Award (1992), Presidential Medal of Freedom (2002).

Birth: March 20, 1928 - Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

Profession: Television host and minister.

Interesting Facts: He is a sixth cousin of Tom Hanks, who played him in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019). He served as Grand Marshal of the 2003 Rose Parade while ill.