Fred McFeely Rogers: who is he?
The name might sound vaguely familiar, but why? It's ringing a bell, but only a faint one. But, Mister Rogers? That's a whole different story.
Fred is most well-known as Mister Rogers, the name by which he was addressed on his children's show, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, from 1963 – 2001, a nearly 40-year run. Every single show, he would take off his raincoat and suit jacket in exchange for a knit sweater, and change into his sneakers. It really made kids feel comfortable and attentive.
Mister Rogers was true to himself on screen, and really did want kids to learn to treat each other with kindness, to conquer their fears, and to learn all that they could. He was a gentle person through and through.
The man essentially helped raise multiple generations of children, and I think I'm speaking for many of us when I say that he was much like a second father-figure.
There's no doubt that Mister Rogers, who sadly passed away in 2003 from stomach cancer, is a hero. But what do you really know about him and his show?
These 11 facts about Mister Rogers may very well surprise you. For example, I had no idea what a key role his mother played in the show!
Please SHARE with your family and friends who love Mister Rogers, too.
1. He Was An Ordained Minister
That's right. On top of being a producer, puppeteer, and all around amazing human, he also became an ordained United Presbyterian Church minister in 1963.
However, when he went home to visit his parents and saw their newfangled television, he knew he had to work in media. I'd say that he positively affected many, many lives on TV, don't you think?
2. His Mother Knit His Sweaters
We all know how Mister Rogers put on a sweater at the beginning of each and every show, but did you know that his very own mother knitted them?
Now that is some motherly love, and it makes the gesture of changing into one even sweeter.
3. A Puppet On His Show Was Named After His Adopted Sister
When Mister Rogers was 11 years old, his parents adopted a 6-month-old named Elaine. She was the name inspiration for the puppet, Lady Elaine.
4. He Was Color Blind
He couldn't even see the bright red color of his signature fire-engine red sweater because he was red-green color blind.
I suppose if you've never seen the colors, you don't know what you're missing! He didn't seem to mind at all.
5. He Was A Vegetarian
Mister Rogers was known for saying that he didn't "want to eat anything that had a mother." Many people are with Mister Rogers on this one!
6. Michael Keaton Worked On His Crew
Before Michael made it big, he started off with odd jobs in the industry. Sometimes, he'd work on the set of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood as part of the crew.
He's said that he was one of the most genuinely kind and lovely people he's ever met.
7. He Swam Every Morning
To keep fit, Mister Rogers made sure to get up and go for a swim every morning. Maybe that's part of why he was always so cheery as he put on his sweater every show, as swimming is a very good workout.
He also abstained from drinking and smoking.
8. His Office Had No Desk
Mister Rogers thought that having a desk separating him from the folks that came through his office would create too much of a barrier. Instead, he had a couch on which he could have cozy conversations.
9. Rumors Followed Him Everywhere
There were a lot of rumors that Mister Rogers served in the military, that he had a criminal past, and that he only wore sweaters to cover up heavily-tattooed arms. None of them, of course, are true.
He never served in the military, he apparently didn't have any tattoos, and he absolutely did not have a criminal record!
10. He Dropped Out Of Dartmouth To Study Music
After his freshman year at the Ivy League school Dartmouth, Mister Rogers transferred to Rollins College so that he could get a degree in music.
He went on, of course, to write the songs for his PBS television program, as well as several children's operas and 200+ other songs. The man really wanted to make the future generations a better place with song.
11. He Had One Very Unconventional Fan
Koko the gorilla, who knew how to speak in sign language, was a regular viewer of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. When Mister Rogers went to meet Koko, she signed that she loved him and proceeded to take off his sneakers just as he does at the beginning of every show.
It just goes to show that Mister Rogers' loving personality had absolutely no boundaries.
Did you know any of this about Mister Rogers and his show? Please SHARE with your family and friends on Facebook!
