Joe Negri: Legendary Jazz Guitarist and 'Mister Rogers' Star Dies at 99

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Joseph Harold Negri, affectionately known as Joe Negri, has passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

The well known jazz guitarist and renowned educator passed away at the age of 99, just days before his 100th birthday on June 10.

His eldest daughter, Lisa Negri, confirmed that her father died of natural causes.

The passing of the man widely known as “Handyman Negri” on the popular children’s show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” was also confirmed by Fred Rogers Productions to KDKA-TV on Sunday evening, May 31, 2026.

'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' Handyman Joe Negri Dead at 99 https://t.co/U0maHDPH7J

— TMZ (@TMZ) June 1, 2026

Negri began appearing on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” in 1968 and continued in the role for nearly 40 years, until Fred Rogers stopped producing new episodes in 2000.

He was widely known as “Handyman Negri” in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe segment.

Although many thought Negri was part of the show’s musical ensemble, he only occasionally joined the show’s band on special occasions.

Most of his work on the show involved his character as Handyman Negri or playing himself as the owner of “Negri’s Music Shop” when Rogers featured guest musicians.

Negri often joked that he wasn’t good at fixing things in real life, but Fred Rogers assured him that his role as a handyman was “pretend.”

As Handyman Negri, he was often called upon by King Friday XIII to make repairs, build things, guard the castle, and sing and play guitar.

His character was also portrayed as someone who not only fixed things but also problems, and it was hoped that children would see him as a trustworthy figure.

Through Negri’s Music Shop, he had the opportunity to perform with legendary musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Johnny Costa, and Yo-Yo Ma.

Joe Negri is a highly respected American jazz guitarist, educator, and composer.

He began performing on the radio at the age of three, playing the ukulele and singing.

By the age of 16, he was touring nationally with swing bands.

Negri served in the U.S. Army for two years from 1943 to 1944, having previously been a member of Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra.

After returning from military service, he performed in Pittsburgh with his brother, pianist Bobby Negri.

In the 1950s, he enrolled at Carnegie Mellon University, concentrating on music composition, and frequently worked with pianist Johnny Costa on KDKA television.

He also served as music director at WTAE-TV, the ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, for over 20 years.His dedication to music education is remarkable.

Negri taught jazz guitar for 49 years at the University of Pittsburgh, where jazz guitar was first offered as a higher education discipline.

He also taught for 46 years at Duquesne University, helping to establish the jazz guitar program there, and also taught at Carnegie Mellon University.

One of his students was Ralph Patt, the inventor of major-thirds tuning, and they recorded together in 1989.Besides teaching, Negri is also active in recording and performing.

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

Negri has released several CDs, including "Mass of Hope" and a Brazilian jazz CD titled "Afternoon in Rio."

He has also performed as a guest with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and appeared on the PSO recording "Cinema Serenade" with Itzhak Perlman and John Williams.

Joseph Harold Negri was born on June 10, 1926, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.

He was the son of Italian immigrants; his father, Michael Negri, was a bricklayer, and his mother, Rose Viggiano, was a homemaker.

His family had a musical background, with his father playing the mandolin and his mother singing in the church choir.

He was inducted into the Pittsburgh Jazz Society Hall of Fame and in 2022, he was awarded the Presidential Award for Extraordinary Service to Duquesne University and the Community.

Joe Negri is survived by his wife, Joan Barbara Serafini, whom he married in 1954, three daughters: Lisa Negri, Laurie Bentz, and Gia Leven, and three granddaughters.