Paul Taff

Paul Kenneth Taff (January 21, 1920 in Glastonbury, Connecticut – January 3, 2013) was an American television executive, executive producer, and television producer with PBS. His credits included Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.[1] Taff spearheaded the funding for Julia Child's first cooking show, The French Chef, which allowed the show to be aired nationwide and launched Child's television career.[1]

He was one of seven children born to Benjamin Harrison Taff and Louise Ada Wehmeier. Taff graduated from Belleville High School and from Millikin University. He later received a master's degree from Northwestern University and an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the University of New Haven.[1]

Taff became the first television broadcaster to appear on WTVP (now WAND) in 1953, In Decatur, Illinois.[2]

Taff moved back to Connecticut, where he became the Director of the Children's Programs for National Education Television, which later became PBS.[2] He helped acquire the broadcasting rights for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood as an executive in PBS.[2]

A resident of Glastonbury, Connecticut, Taff died on January 3, 2013, at the age of 92.[1]