January 22, 2021
Devoted wife of children’s TV personality Fred Rogers, a renowned concert pianist and one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved public figures, Joanne Rogers died on January 14 at the age of 92. In recent years, the world has come to know Joanne thanks to renewed interest in her husband’s life and principles.
Two film projects led the recent Mister Rogers Renaissance in popular culture: “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” from director Morgan Neville the most successful biographical documentary ever released and Oscar-nominated “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” starring Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers. When she came on to promote the films, late-night TV hosts enjoyed finding Joanne as kind, funny, and engaging as we figured Fred’s wife must be.