Joe Negri, Legendary Jazz Guitarist and Mister Rogers’ ‘Handyman’ Musical Mentor, Dies at 95
PITTSBURGH, PA — Joe Negri, the revered jazz guitarist who became a household name as the amiable "Handyman" on the beloved children’s television series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, has died at the age of 95. His passing was confirmed by family members on Thursday.
According to his publicist, Negri passed away peacefully at his home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after a brief illness. A cause of death was not immediately released.
Who: Joe Negri, a world-class jazz musician and actor who taught guitar at the University of Pittsburgh.
What: Negri passed away, leaving behind a seven-decade legacy in music and television, most notably for his role as the friendly "Handyman" who repaired items and sang tunes for Fred Rogers on the iconic PBS program.
When: His death occurred on Thursday, with the announcement made public later that evening.
Where: At his residence in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Why: The cause of death is attributed to natural causes and was not considered unexpected, given his advanced age.
Negri’s career spanned from performing alongside jazz legends like Benny Goodman and George Benson to appearing in over 200 episodes of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood from 1968 to 2001. He was widely credited by music historians for introducing jazz to a generation of children through his gentle, improvisational style on the show.