Who is credited as the theme music composer for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood?

Fred Rogers is credited as the theme music composer for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. He wrote the opening song, “Won't You Be My Neighbor?”, which became one of television's most recognizable themes.

Rogers wrote the song in 1967, before the program's first national broadcast in 1968. He also wrote the lyrics and melodies for many of the show's songs, ultimately creating more than 200 original songs for the series.

A common mix-up is Johnny Costa, the show's musical director, pianist, arranger, and performer. Costa played and arranged the instrumental music heard in the opening, including the distinctive piano version of the theme, but Rogers wrote the song itself. Michael Moricz later succeeded Costa as musical director after Costa died in 1996.