'Mr. Rogers' Biopic Coming to the Big Screen: 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood'
Fred Rogers is the subject of an upcoming biopic reportedly entitled "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood." The film is being written by Alexis Jolly, who works for "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," and it's produced by Treehouse Pictures.
"Fred Rogers was such an inspirational man for so many people. His keen ability to find the good in anyone, or anything, will make for a truly inspiring cinematic experience," Justin Nappi of Treehouse Pictures told Deadline.com. "In literally shaping the world around him to fit into his own unique perspective, he created what is arguably the most influential American children's television show of all time."
"Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" debuted in 1968 and lasted until 2001. Rogers played himself, a man devoted to educating children about their emotions and the world around them. He received several awards for his work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Peabody Award, and he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.
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Rogers graduated from Rollins College with a B.A. in Music Composition before attending Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and being ordained in the Presbyterian Church. After watching several episodes of TV, he decided he wanted to use his talents in order to properly educate and entertain children.
"I went into television because I hated it so, and I thought there's some way of using this fabulous instrument to nurture those who would watch and listen," Rogers told CNN in 1999.
"Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" featured numerous puppets in the "Neighborhood of Make-Believe, unique songs performed by Rogers, and of course, opening and closing scenes of Rogers changing into a sweater and sneakers. Rogers caused quite a stir when he accepted his Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.
"Mr. Rogers went onstage to accept the award, and there, in front of all the soap opera stars and talk show sinceratrons … he made his small bow and said into the microphone, 'All of us have special ones who have loved us into being. Would you just take, along with me, ten seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are? Ten seconds of silence,'" Tom Junod wrote for Esquire.
"And so they did. One second, two seconds, three seconds– and now the jaws clenched, and the bosoms heaved, and the mascara ran, and the tears fell upon the be-glittered gathering like rain leaking down a crystal chandelier. And Mr. Rogers finally looked up from his watch and said softly, 'May God be with you,' to all his vanquished children," Junod concluded.
Rogers passed away in 2003, leaving behind a powerful legacy.
Watch Rogers' Lifetime Acceptance speech here:
