Fred Rogers, or Mister Rogers as we all know and love him, is one of the most iconic stars in the history of children’s television. He was known for his genuine kindness and gentle nature, especially in his show, Mister Rogers Neighborhood.
In Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, the new documentary features an in-depth look at Fred Rogers’ life. Here are some interesting facts about our favorite neighbors’ life!
It’s hard to believe this ray of sunshine was actually bullied as a child. Back in the day, Rogers was an overweight child and was often teased for it. “I used to cry to myself when I was alone,” Rogers says in the documentary. “And I would cry through my fingers and makeup songs on the piano.”
Rogers began his daily routine of sorting through and responding to fan mail at 5 AM. He often received 50 to 100 letters per day from kids just telling him about their lives and how much he’s impacted them. He would respond to every single one he received.
It wasn’t just kids and their parents who had a love for Rogers. Koko, the gorilla who learned American sign language and recently passed away, absolutely loved watching Mister Rogers Neighborhood. When she finally had the chance to meet him, she couldn’t stay away! She was so excited.
No one can forget those times in Mister Rogers Neighborhood when he sat down, changed his shoes, and sang us all a heartwarming song. After beginning his education at Dartmouth, he soon transferred to Rollins College to pursue a degree in music. He was a very talented piano player in addition to being a wonderful songwriter. He wrote all the songs featured in Mister Rogers Neighborhood!
The decision to change his shoes for each episode of Mister Rogers Neighborhood was actually for production purposes, not necessarily comfort. The trademark sneakers he used to wear became a staple in the show when Rogers found them to be ‘quieter’ than his dress shoes as he moved about the set.
In 1969, he went before the Senate to plead for a $20 million grant for public broadcasting. Public television was in danger of being terminated, so Rogers argued that public television turned kids into productive citizens. He won his case, and funding for public television increased from $9 million to $22 million.
One of Rogers’ iconic sweaters was donated to the National Museum of American History in 1984.
What did you think about all these cool Mister Rogers facts? Be sure to SHARE this with a friend if you loved it!
Clint Eastwood and John Wayne were two icons of the Western drama, yet they represented…
Many features have come and gone within the blueprint of the ideal home. But their…
Cass Elliot a.k.a Mama Cass’ daughter Owen Elliot-Kugell recently released a book titled My Mama,…
Amidst a flood of familial turmoil, the royal family has had cause to celebrate, as…
A newly released book titled The Fixer: Moguls, Mobsters, Movie Stars, and Marilyn gives shocking…
UPDATED 5/3/2024 There’s no question that Angie Dickinson is the true embodiment of the classic…