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Book

Officer Clemmons : a memoir

Call Number

  • 921 C6268 (POW)

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Publication Information

New York, NY : Catapult, [2020]

Physical Description

277 pages, 8 pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 24 cm

Summary

The intimate debut memoir by the man known to the world as Mister Rogers' Neighborhood 's "Officer Clemmons," a Grammy Award-winning artist who made history as the first African American actor to have a recurring role on a children's television program

When he created the role of Officer Clemmons on the television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, François Clemmons made history as the first African American actor to have a recurring role on a children's program. The role also required him to make painful personal choices and sacrifices. Here he details a life marked by family trauma and loss. During studies as a music major at Oberlin College, Clemmons began to investigate and embrace his homosexuality. And a chance encounter with Fred Rogers changed the whole course of both men's lives, leading to a deep, spiritual friendship and mentorship spanning nearly forty years. -- adapted from jacket

Contents

  • Introduction
  • Little Buttercup: the younger years
  • Youngstown
  • Off to college
  • There are many ways to say I love you.

Subjects