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 present-day 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]

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