Officer Clemmons: A Memoir

by Francois Clemmons

An intimate debut memoir from Mister Rogers’ most endearing and groundbreaking neighbors—Officer Clemmons, the first African American actor to have a recurring role on a children’s television program.

“A heartwarming story that explores the power of friendship as well as race, sexuality, talent, and identity.” —Kirkus Reviews

When he created the role of Officer Clemmons on the award–winning 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. A new, wide world opened for Clemmons—but one that also required him to make painful personal choices and sacrifices.

Officer Clemmons details Clemmons’s incredible life story, beginning with his early years in Alabama and Ohio, marked by family trauma and loss, through his studies as a music major at Oberlin College, where Clemmons began to investigate and embrace his homosexuality, to a chance encounter with Fred Rogers that changed the whole course of both men’s lives, leading to a deep, spiritual friendship and mentorship spanning nearly 40 years.

From New York to Russia, Berlin to California, Grammy Award–winner Clemmons has performed for audiences around the world and remains a beloved figure. Evocative and intimate, and buoyed by its author’s own vivacious, inimitable energy, Officer Clemmons chronicles a historical and enlightening life and career of a man who has brought joy to millions of adults and children, across generations and borders.

• ISBN10: 1948226707
• ISBN13: 9781948226707
• Publish Date: 5 May 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Catapult
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 288
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781948226707

Reviews

[lindsey]

While the hook of Officer Clemmons is the author's association with Mr. Rogers, it's really the life story of an incredible man who happened to be a part of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood and enjoyed the mentorship and friendship of Mr. Rogers.

I was expecting most of the book to be devoted to his time on the show, but I wasn't disappointed when I found out the opposite was true. I didn't know much of François S. Clemmons before reading, apart from his role as Officer Clemmons, but he's lived a rich and interesting life.

He tells his story in a straightforward manner, yet it's interwoven with emotion as he shares the things he's been through in his life. From his impoverished beginnings and discovering his talent for singing to heartbreak and dealing with being a homosexual man in the '60s, it's an excellent read. And, yes, he does spend time discussing his friendship with Mr. Rogers.

Well-written and quick-paced, Officer Clemmons is a book that masterfully deals with topics such as racism and sexuality while remaining an engaging and entertaining read about the life of François S. Clemmons. I would highly recommend this one, especially for those who enjoy autobiographies.

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Officer Clemmons is a memoir by Francois Clemmons detailing his early life, education, and time as Officer Clemmons, the character he played on Mr. Rogers' Neigborhood on PBS. Released 5th May 2020 by Catapult Books, it's 288 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

I grew up near Pittsburgh, PA and though I was slightly too old to really be a part of Mr. Rogers' target audience (I was more a Sesame St. and Electric Co. kid), I always loved watching Mr. Rogers (since it was aired on our PBS station just before my shows). The genuine warmth and respect he showed to everyone made a deep impression on me, and he has been a role model to several generations of kids.

I always enjoyed the different characters who appeared on his show and liked that there was a continuity and dependability to the show's format and actors. It's incredible to think about how long lived the characters and the actors who brought them to life were associated with the show and I've often thought about how the show and the people associated with it provided some much needed stability and positive reinforcement to a lot of vulnerable kids.

Anyhow, this is a respectful, well written memoir mostly about Francois Clemmons' early life and upbringing, his education, and his years working with Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. There's a directness and honesty to his writing that is effective and moving. I found myself so touched and sad and angry at the casual violence and racism that were a part of his early life. He talks openly about his family history, the loss of family members to violence/murder, the casual systemic racism of the southern USA in the 1950s, and on top of all of that, his growing awareness of his sexual orientation in a society which was openly hostile to non-binary people. He made a lot of difficult decisions to sacrifice emotional parts of his life in order to work in children's programming and specifically with Fred Rogers.

I did enjoy the book, and the behind-the-scenes reminiscences, despite much of it being sad and poignant. Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.