Jazz musician and actor Joe Negri, best known for his long-running role on the children’s series “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” has died, according to reports. He was 99.
The Pittsburgh native, who played Handyman Negri on the beloved PBS show, died on Saturday, May 30, Negri’s daughter, Lisa Negri, confirmed to local outlet Trib Live. Negri died of natural causes.
The news comes less than two weeks before Negri was set to celebrate his 100th birthday on June 10.
Fred Rogers Productions, the production company behind “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” paid tribute to Negri in a statement to USA TODAY on Monday.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Joe Negri, a beloved member of the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood family whose warmth, incredible musical talent and gentle spirit brought endless joy to viewers for decades,” the statement read.
“As Handyman Negri, Joe taught children that everyone’s contributions matter, and offscreen, his mastery of jazz and dedication to education inspired countless musicians. Our hearts go out to Joe’s family, friends and the generations of neighbors who loved him.”
A musician since childhood, Negri toured nationally in the 1940s and was a member of the Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra during a two-year stint in the US Army.
Upon his return to Pittsburgh, Negri studied musical composition at Carnegie Mellon University and performed extensively in the local music scene, which included playing with pianist Johnny Costa on the CBS TV station KDKA.
In the early 1960s, Negri was hired as the music director for the ABC affiliate Pittsburgh station WTAE, playing on various live programs and composing theme music for over 20 years. During his stint at the local broadcaster, Negri met television personality Fred Rogers, who was hosting a children’s show at the time.
Rogers later cast Negri on his PBS series “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Negri’s character, Handyman Negri, was the owner of Negri’s Music Shop. In addition to his onscreen role, the jazz musician played guitar in the show’s in-studio ensemble, led by musical director and colleague Johnny Costa.
“I said, ‘Fred, I’m not handy at all. I can’t even hammer a nail.’ And he said, ‘Don’t worry about a thing, it’s going to be all pretend,’” Negri previously told KDKA in an interview. “I’m glad he gave me the music shop because it gave me a really good opportunity to utilize my music.”
Negri appeared on over 300 episodes of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” from 1968 until the show’s conclusion in 2001.
Aside from his television career, Negri was a prolific music educator. He taught jazz guitar at the University of Pittsburgh for 49 years, as well as had a 46-year tenure at Duquesne University. He also taught at his alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University.
“My love and my passion for music continues to dominate my daily life,” Negri told Trib Live in 2016. “I enjoy composing and teaching and performing in intimate, chamberlike jazz sessions with good jazz musicians.”
Negri’s “Mister Rogers” costar Fred Rogers died in 2003 at age 74 following a battle with stomach cancer. For fellow castmate David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely, the actors were nearly cut from the same cloth.
“What I am feeling is a loss of a good friend that I’ve known over these many years,” Newell told KDKA of Negri’s death. “He was the kindest man. I think, comparing him to Fred Rogers, they were both so kind, and he had a good sense of humor.”
