ON THIS DAY: Feb. 27, 2003, Fred Rogers dies of stomach cancer
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By Matt Simmons
PITTSBURGH — Fred McFeely Rogers began his television career at NBC in New York City, but it wasn’t until the debut of “The Children’s Corner” on WQED in 1954 that he first reached out to children in Pittsburgh on the show that would make him a household name.
Born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania on March 20, 1928, his father, Fred McFeely, was the president of one of Latrobe’s largest businesses: McFeely Brick. His mother, Nancy Rogers, came from a wealthy Pittsburgh family, volunteered at Latrobe Hospital and knitted sweaters for American soldiers in her spare time.
Rogers’ early childhood gave little indication of the public figure he would become. Introverted and overweight, Rogers was frequently homebound due to asthma and was frequently bullied by his peers. His confidence grew through high school, where he became the president of the student council and the editor-in-chief of the yearbook.
Fred Rogers, the host of the children's television series, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," in this promotional portrait from the 1980s.
Mr. Rogers late 1960s
Fred Rogers Fred Rogers works with Donkey Hodie, one of the puppets featured on his children's television program, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," in Pittsburgh on June 27, 1993. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Fred Rogers Fred Rogers works with Lady Elaine Fairchilde, one of the puppets featured in the Land of Make-believe, on his children's television program, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," in Pittsburgh on June 27, 1993. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Fred Rogers Fred Rogers puts on his jacket between takes on the set of his television program "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" in Pittsburgh on June 8, 1993. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Fred Rogers This June 27, 1993 file photo shows Fred Rogers, second from left, talking with Bob Walsh, right center, and actor Robert Trow, left, on the set of the Land of Make-believe, during a break in taping a segment for and episode of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Fred Rogers Fred Rogers, right, talks with David Newell, a.k.a. Speedy Delivery's Mr. McFeely, during a rehearsal for a segment of his television program "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" in Pittsburgh on June 8, 1993. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Fred Rogers This June 25, 1993 file photo shows Fred Rogers relaxing next to the Neighborhood Trolley between takes on a segment of his children's television program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Fred Rogers Fred Rogers makes notes between takes on the set of his children's television program, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," in Pittsburgh on June 28, 1989. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Fred Rogers This June 3, 1993 file photo shows Fred Rogers playing piano between takes on his children's television program, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Mister Rogers and King Friday Mister Rogers and King Friday. Photo courtesy of the Fred Rogers Company (Fred Rogers Company)
Fred Rogers This June 28, 1989 file photo shows Fred Rogers rehearsing the opening of a segment of his children's television show program, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Fred Rogers This June 28, 1989 file photo shows Fred Rogers siting on the porch of his television house during between between takes on a segment for his television program, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Fred Rogers
Fred Rogers Fred Rogers tapes a segment of his television program "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" in Pittsburgh on June 28, 1989. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Fred Rogers This June 28, 1989 file photo shows Fred Rogers taping a segment of his television program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Fred Rogers
Fred Rogers (AP)
Fred Rogers President-elect Clinton holds up part of the Neighborhood Trolley which was given to him by Fred Rogers, aka Mr. Rogers, during the Salute to Children festivities Tuesday at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Rogers hosts the popular children's television show "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood" on public television. (AP Photo/Greg Gibson) (GREG GIBSON/AP)
Presidential Medal of Freedom Award Presented WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 9: U.S. President George W. Bush presents Fred Rogers with the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award during a ceremony July 9, 2002 at the White House in Washington, DC. The medal is the highest civilian award given to those who have made meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Fred Rogers Fred Rogers, left, of Pittsburgh, public television's "Mister Rogers", receives the second annual 1999 Pennsylvania Founder's Award from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge during ceremonies in the Governor's Residence in Harrisburg, Pa. Tuesday, June 8, 1999. Rogers was honored for his lifelong contributions to Pennsylvania. Governor Ridge wears Roger's trademark cardigan sweater.(AP Photo/Paul Vathis) (PAUL VATHIS/AP)
Fred Rogers Fred Rogers, center, host of Public Television's "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood", unveils his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Thursday, Jan. 8, 1998 in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. From left, Johnny Grant, honorary mayor of Hollywood, Beth Sullivan, creator and executive producer of "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman", Rogers, Don Youpa, KCET's executive vice president and chief operating officer, and Leron Gubler, executive director of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Rogers, who was honored with the 2,101st star, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the show. (AP Photo/Susan Goldman) (SUSAN GOLDMAN/AP)
Fred Rogers Fred Rogers, host of Public Television's "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood", shows off his newly unveiled star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Thursday, Jan. 8, 1998, in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. Rogers, who was honored with the 2,101st star, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the show. (AP Photo/Susan Goldman) (SUSAN GOLDMAN/AP)
Fred Rogers This July 12, 2000 file photo shows Fred Rogers being interviewed in front of the Mister Roger's Neighborhood Trolley attraction at Idlewild Park, in Ligonier, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File Photo) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Fred Rogers (AP)
Fred Rogers One of dozens of examples of exemplary public art and architecture some old, some new in the venerable Steel City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is Robert Berkss 2009 Tribute to Children sculpture at the North Shore Riverfront Park. It depicts Fred Rogers, a native of nearby Latrobe, Pennsylvania, who was the beloved host of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, a popular television show for children broadcast for 30 years from studios in Pittsburghs Oakland neighborhood.. Rogers died of stomach cancer in his Pittsburgh home in 2003. (Photographer: Carol M. Highsmith)
Fred Rogers This Nov. 13, 2019 file photo shows a statue of Fred Rogers perched at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers in the Northside of Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Fred Rogers statue in Latrobe
U.S. Postal Service Dedicates Mister Rogers Forever Stamp PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 23: Joanne Rogers poses for a photo with other family members during the U.S. Postal Service Dedication of the Mister Rogers Forever Stamp at WQED's Fred Rogers Studio on March 23, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Fred Rogers The Host Of The Children's Television Series Mr Rogers' Neig 393868 02: (File Photo) Fred Rogers, The Host Of The Children's Television Series, "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood," Rests His Arms On A Small Trolley In This Promotional Portrait From The 1980's. "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" Will Broadcast It's Last New Episode August 31, 2001 It Was Announced August 30 In A Statement By Rogers From Nantucket, Ma. Rogers Has Been Broadcasting His Gentle Entertainment To Children For Thirty-Four Years. (Photo By Getty Images) (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Rogers dove into the fledgling world of television in New York City, working odd jobs until WQED gave him the opportunity to do a children’s show.
“The Children’s Corner” was hosted by Josie Carey, as Rogers worked behind the scenes to develop many of the puppet personalities that Rogers would become famous for: Daniel Striped Tiger, King Friday XIII, Lady Elaine Fairchilde and X the Owl. Rogers also wrote music for the show.
Rogers earned a divinity degree from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Highland Park in 1962 and became an ordained Presbyterian minister. He sought to comfort and teach children and families through television as a form of ministry.
On Sept. 21, 1967, Rogers recorded the first full episode of the new “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” at WQED. The first episode of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” made its national debut on Feb. 19, 1968.
The show would go on to become a quiet powerhouse in children’s programming despite the calm and humble nature of its creator and set into motion one of the greatest and most honored legacies in the history of television.
Rogers would record more than 900 episodes over the next 31 years, coming out of retirement to soothe children in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001.
The Television Critics Association honored Rogers with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmy Awards in 1997. During his now-famous acceptance speech, Rogers invited the audience to remember those people who “have loved us into being.” What followed was perhaps one of the most powerful 10 seconds of any award broadcast, as Rogers turned his attention to his wristwatch and quietly “marked the time.”
Through it all, his wife of 50 years, Joanne, steadfastly supported him and protected his legacy. The couple had two sons.