Francois Clemmons, best known as Officer Clemmons on Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, has opened up about his relationship with his longtime co-star, detailing the love between the two.
Clemmons will publish a memoir entitled Officer Clemmons on May 5, detailing the working relationship between the two. In a new interview with People, Clemmons offered a preview of the book’s contents.
“I didn’t know what I was so hungry for, until I heard Fred Rogers say, ‘I love you,'” Clemmons says. “When I was growing up, men were rough and macho — you had to be a ‘man.’ I didn’t fit any of that.”
Clemmons, who is gay, met Rodgers at age 23 while studying at Carnegie Mellon University. Fred Rogers, then 43, invited him to join Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. Officer Clemmons would appear on the show for the next two decades while also performing as an opera singer in various productions around the country. Clemmons’ role made him one of the first African-Americans with a recurring role on a children’s TV series.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Related: Marielle Heller director of ‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’ on the lessons of Mr. Rogers
In one landmark skit, he and Rogers wet their feet in a kiddie pool together. At the same time across the country, laws barring people of color from using the same swimming pools had come under fire. The pair enjoying the same pool sent a powerful if subtle, message to viewers about the ridiculousness of segregating swimming pools.
The long and affectionate relationship between Rogers and Clemmons would become something of “a marriage” according to the actor. “Fred never stopped listening and I never shut up,” Clemmons says. “He was the spiritual love of my life.”
Now, more than a decade after Rogers’ death in 2003, Clemmons says the two are closer than ever. “He is with me more than ever,” he says. “Fred doesn’t speak, but he lets me know. It’s quite sacred.”
Creamsicle
Who doesn’t love Fred Rogers? I still have fond memories of trying to puzzle out why he switched cardigans at the beginning of each episode. I’m pretty sure that his segment on crayon manufacturing is why I love How it’s Made.
katherinepdix52
If your interested in a work from home opportunity let me know! No prior experiences or degree needed, we get paid every Friday. It’s a great way to create an extra stream of income. Friend visit this site…? 0.gp/a72hM
radiooutmike
Fred Rogers was exactly what I needed in my life when I was a child.
Except, I did not like his sweet and calm style. To enjoy that, I think you have to be a little vulnerable, meaning open enough to hear what he is saying. I was not. I could not afford being vulnerable while my abuser was in my household.
I wish I was able to watch and listen to him when I was kid. But, I do treasure him now.
Kangol2
Mr. Rogers was a gift to American children and US culture. Rarely have we had someone on TV who modeled gentleness, kindness, generosity, warmth, understanding, altruism, humor, and different kinds of love, particularly agape and phileo, the way he did, specifically geared toward showing children what a neighborly, loving community might look like. His episodes with Francois Clemmons broke new ground, but his show in general was and is a treasure. We badly need more like him today.
Thad
Hooray! Officer Clemmons is still with us. So glad he’s sharing his story. All good wishes!
trsxyz
A beautiful story!
dre23222
Awesome story
MusicBoi74
I read some background on Mr. Rodgers, and how he got into television. He hated, maybe abhorred, the medium is a better word. He got into it to try to make something good out of what he saw as a horrible thing. I guess he was turned off by all the violence in that time period. What started off as a show on a tiny network near Pittsburgh sure spread to something most of us saw growing up. I’m glad he did what he did despite his misgivings about television!
HiKo73
My heart. This was so very sweet <3