David Alexander Newell (born November 24, 1938) is an American television actor known primarily for his portrayal of Mr. McFeely, the delivery man on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. He also worked in the public relations department of Fred Rogers Productions. His character's most famous catchphrase was "Speedy Delivery!" He toured the country until he retired in 2015, promoting Mister Rogers' Neighborhood as Mr. McFeely.[1]
David Newell | |
|---|---|
 Newell as Mr. McFeely in 2015 | |
| Born | David Alexander Newell November 24, 1938 O'Hara Township, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1968–2015 |
| Known for | Mr. McFeely on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood |
| Children | 3 |
Life
editNewell was born in O'Hara Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh,[2] he was the director of public relations for Fred Rogers Productions. Newell still resides in O'Hara Township with his wife Nan. They have a daughter, Catherine; two sons, Taylor and Alexander; and four grandchildren.[3]
Career
editNewell began his acting career at a theatre school known as the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Through connections made there, he eventually met Fred Rogers. Newell was originally hired onto the show as a public relations manager, but Rogers also cast him in the role of Mr. McFeely. (McFeely was Rogers' middle name, taken from his mother's maiden name.) As a result, he and Rogers became lifelong friends until Rogers' death in 2003.[4]
A documentary feature about Newell entitled Speedy Delivery, which chronicles his travels around the world as Mr. McFeely, debuted on public television in 2008.[5][6]
An animated version of Mr. McFeely is a recurring character on the new PBS series Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. Canadian actor Derek McGrath performs the voice.[citation needed]
In 2017, Newell appeared as a special guest on the live-action children's web series Danny Joe's Tree House.[7]
Newell made a cameo in the Fred Rogers biopic A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.[8]
Quotes
edit"Working with Fred Rogers was like receiving a master’s degree in child development. Fred taught by example, and he was subtle—but suddenly you’d realize that, after working side by side with him, your knowledge base had expanded almost beyond description."[9]
"What I like about Danny Joe's Tree House is that children can interact with a live person. Danny is a big kid at heart and I think that is very helpful. In today's world where everything is virtual and robotic, here's a person giving original thoughts and ideas."[10]
References
edit- ^ "Neighborhood News". Family Communications. Archived from the original on October 17, 2007. Retrieved January 16, 2008.
- ^ Slattery, Holden (Fall 2008). "Speedy Delivery". Pitt Magazine. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
- ^ Sheridan, Patricia (October 14, 2019). "The House Next Door: Where does Mr. McFeely get his mail?". Retrieved November 10, 2019.
- ^ Speedy Delivery Film
- ^ The Tartan Online : *Speedy Delivery*
- ^ Yale Daily News – Music student pens Mister Rogers score
- ^ "The Treehouse-Warming Present". Danny Joe's Tree House. Season 2. Episode 1. November 13, 2017. Event occurs at 0:05. Archived from the original on 2019-09-21. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
- ^ AFFIRM Film (September 16, 2019). "A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-14.
- ^ "Staff Bios". Family Communications. Archived from the original on November 18, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ Cantrell, Joann (February 6, 2018). ""Danny Joe's Tree House" Aims to Be More Than a Show". Baltimore's Child Magazine. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
External links
edit
- David Newell at IMDb
- A downloadable audio interview with Mr. McFeely actor and Family Communications Inc. Public Relations Director David Newell. From Wisconsin Public Television.
- "'Mr. Speedy Delivery' talks about his neighborhood". CNN. 2001-08-31. Archived from the original on December 29, 2007. Retrieved January 16, 2008.
- Vancheri, Barbara (2004-02-26). "Speedy Mr. McFeely extends the legacy of Mister Rogers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 16, 2008.
- Vancheri, Barbara (2008-04-09). "'Special 'Delivery': Documentary follows Mr. McFeely as he carries the message of Fred Rogers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 27, 2008.