Fred McFeely Rogers (March 20, 1928 – February 27, 2003) was an American
television personality,
puppeteer,
educator,
Presbyterian minister,
composer,
songwriter,
author, and
activist. Rogers was most famous for creating, hosting, and composing the theme music for the
educational preschool television series
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968–2001), which featured his gentle, soft-spoken personality and directness to his audiences.