David Newell
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| David Newell | |
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| Born | November 24, 1938 O'Hara Township, Pennsylvania |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1968–present |
David Newell (born November 24, 1938) is a television actor who is remembered for his career as Mr. McFeely (Speedy McFeely), the postman on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. His character's most famous catchphrase was "Speedy Delivery!" This was Newell's major role, but not his only one as he appeared in small film and TV parts throughout the years. He tours the country to this day, promoting Mister Rogers' Neighborhood as Mr. McFeely.[1]
Newell was born in O'Hara Township, Pennsylvania. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh,[2] he is the director of public relations for Family Communications, Inc. Newell now resides in Pittsburgh. He used to be an English teacher at Wilkinsburg JR/SR High school in Pittsburgh PA also.
He began his acting career in a theatre school known as the Pittsburgh Playhouse. It's through connections made there that he eventually met Fred Rogers. He was originally hired onto the show as a public relations manager, and while he did serve that function Rogers saw fit to also cast him in the role of Mr. McFeely. As a result of this he and Rogers became life long friends until Rogers' death in 2003.[3]
A documentary feature about Newell entitled Speedy Delivery, which chronicles his travels around the world as Mr. McFeely, debuted on public television in 2008.[4][5]
[edit] Quotes
"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."[6]
[edit] References
- ^ "Neighborhood News". Family Communications. http://www.fci.org/newsletter/readnews.asp?ID=37&newsletterID=10. Retrieved January 16 2008.
- ^ Slattery, Holden (Fall 2008), "Speedy Delivery", Pitt Magazine (Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh), http://www.pittmag.pitt.edu/?p=263, retrieved 2009-09-15
- ^ Speedy Delivery Film
- ^ The Tartan Online : *Speedy Delivery*
- ^ Yale Daily News - Music student pens Mister Rogers score
- ^ "Staff Bios". Family Communications. http://www.fci.org/viewcontent.asp?sectionID=3&subsectionID={C4741AE9-B471-40AE-B594-E7BFE5A26C5B}&subsubsectionID={5B10796F-A045-46F3-A004-06DDCB1AE875}. Retrieved January 16, 2008.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: David Newell |
- David Newell at the Internet Movie Database
- 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. http://archives.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/TV/08/31/mcfeely.chat.cnna/. Retrieved January 16 2008.
- "Speedy Mr. McFeely extends the legacy of Mister Rogers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 2004-02-26. http://www.post-gazette.com/tv/20040226newell0226p2.asp. Retrieved January 16 2008.
- "'Special 'Delivery': Documentary follows Mr. McFeely as he carries the message of Fred Rogers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 2008-04-09. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08100/871497-42.stm. Retrieved April 27 2008.
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