Joe Negri, 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' Handyman, Dies at 99

Joe Negri, the jazz musician and actor who spent more than three decades as Handyman Negri on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," has died. He was 99.

Negri, a Pittsburgh native, died on Saturday, May 30, from natural causes, his daughter Lisa Negri confirmed to local outlet Trib Live. The news came less than two weeks before he was set to celebrate his 100th birthday on June 10.

Fred Rogers Productions paid tribute to Negri in a statement: "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. As Handyman Negri, Joe taught children that everyone's contributions matter, and offscreen, his mastery of jazz and dedication to education inspired all who knew him."

A Pittsburgh Icon From the Start

Born in 1926 in Pittsburgh, Negri began performing on the radio at just 3 years old. His father put a ukulele in his hands and taught him songs so he could accompany himself. He eventually switched to guitar.

In the 1950s, during the early days of KDKA-TV, Negri and his trio regularly appeared on "The Buzz and Bill Show." He went on to meet Fred Rogers at a local Pittsburgh television station, and when "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" debuted on WQED in 1968, Rogers brought him along.

The casting came with a catch. "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 recalled in a prior interview with KDKA-TV.

Over 300 Episodes and a Music Shop to Call His Own

Negri appeared on over 300 episodes of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." As the show evolved, his character moved beyond repairs and became the owner of Negri's Music Shop — a natural fit for someone whose life had always revolved around music.

Playing jazz guitar alongside the likes of Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, and Johnny Costa, Negri became a fan favorite over his 30 years on the show.

"I'm glad he gave me the music shop because it gave me a really good opportunity to utilize my music," Negri said.

A Legacy in Jazz and Education

Negri's contributions extended well beyond the television screen. He taught jazz guitar for 49 years at the University of Pittsburgh, where jazz guitar was first offered as a discipline in higher education, and for 46 years at Duquesne University, as well as at Carnegie Mellon University.

In 2010, he recorded the album "Fly Me to the Moon" with Michael Feinstein and performed with him the following year at the Newport Jazz Festival.

CMU School of Music professor Riccardo Schulz, who recorded or produced more than 100 artists including Negri, reflected on his talent: "When I first heard Joe play the guitar, I realized that, though he was from Pittsburgh, he was anything but local. Joe could hold his own with the biggest and the best in the jazz world."

Kindness as a Way of Life

Those who knew Negri described him as someone who embodied the same warmth that defined the show he appeared on for decades.

"Things today can get really dark, but I have always been an optimist. Being around Fred only deepened that conviction," Negri said.

"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" ran from 1968 through 2001 and remains a touchstone of American children's television. Negri was a fixture of the show for more than 30 years, a presence children across America grew up watching.

He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Negri.

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