Tom Hanks Is Mr. Rogers in ‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’

Even though Fred Rogers talked and sang to children over many years, he was a favorite of adults as well. The show was earmarked for preschool-aged children from two to five. PBS described the series as "appropriate for all ages."

The upcoming movie will not be a children's show. It will focus on the true story of a real-life friendship. The film will follow journalist Tom Junod whose life was changed after he spent time getting to know Mr. Rogers on a deep level. Therefore, the film will be about the person who hosted the children's show more than it will be about the show itself.

About Fred Rogers

Fred McFeely Rogers lived from March 20, 1928 to February 27, 2003. He was extremely talented as an adult, even though he lived through a difficult childhood. He was isolated and bullied. His parents said he would often cry when he was alone.

Rogers wore many hats. He was a television personality, musician, writer, producer, puppeteer, and an ordained Presbyterian minister. He was well known as the creator, composer, producer, head writer, and host of the preschool television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood that aired on television from 1968 to 2001 with 912 half-hour episodes over 31 seasons. Even though the last original episode aired in 2001, PBS continued to show reruns. By 2016, the show had grown to be the third-longest running program in the history of PBS, even after the death of the slow-paced host with a quiet demeanor.

Rogers appealed to children, because he talked to them during their formative years about such things as their feelings, sharing with others, being tolerant, moral and ethical topics, and self-worth. Mr. Rogers discussed difficult topics such as the death of a pet, divorce, sibling rivalry, a new baby in the family, moving away from friends, and adjusting in a new school.

Mr. Rogers was well respected by kids and adults. He received honorary degrees from 43 colleges and universities. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1953, and a Lifetime Achievement Emmy in 1997. Rogers was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1999. He also received several other awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002.

Mr. Rogers delayed going into seminary, because he didn't like what he saw on television. He told CNN that he went into television, because he hated it so much. He concluded that shows for children were absolutely horrible. He thought he could use television to nurture those who would watch and listen.

Rogers graduated from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and was ordained a minister of the United Presbyterian Church in 1963. He died at the age of 74 due to stomach cancer on February 27, 2003.

About Tom Hanks

Thomas Jeffrey Hanks, born July 9, 1956, is an actor and filmmaker. The 63-year-old is a genius when it comes to acting. He is a television icon, and is well-known and has won awards for some very popular films, such as Forrest Gump, Splash, Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, Cast Away and many others. Like Mr. Rogers, Hanks also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame that he received in 1992.

The general consensus is that Tom Hanks is absolutely perfect playing the part of Fred Rogers.

Fred Rogers and Tom Hanks' neighborhoods are the same. That's because Hanks' A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood was filmed in the original studio in Pittsburgh, where Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was filmed. The crew was careful to recreate the sets from the long-running kids' show. Hanks even wears clothes taken from Fred Rogers’ closet.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, based on the opening song, will be released in theaters in the United States on November 22, 2019, in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. Watch the first full trailer below.

Ten Fun Facts About Mister Rogers and His Show

1. The song "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" was written by Fred Rogers in 1967, and was used as the opening theme for each episode of the show.
2. At the end of each episode, Rogers sang "Tomorrow" only on the episodes on Monday through Thursday.
3. On Friday, the closing selection was "The Weekend Song."
4. Mr. Rogers wrote more than 200 original songs, and played the piano on his show.
5. He graduated magna cum laude from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida in 1951 with a degree in music composition.
6. The host loved animals, and animals loved him. They appeared often with him during some episodes.
7. Rogers wore sneakers for production reasons. His dress shoes were too noisy for the quiet environment he wanted to maintain.
8. His mom knitted all his zip-up sweaters. After her death, he said he thought of her every time he wore one of them.
9. Even though he was pictured mostly in a red sweater, Mr. Rogers also wore other colors of sweaters that his mother made for him.
10. Mr. Rogers was known for taking the time to personally answer every single letter he received from his fans.