Photo: PBS
What do you think of when you think of Mr. Rogers? The perfect sweater, lacing up the shoes, warm smiles and a calming, soft-spoken voice, right? Well, that’s kind of the feeling we get with Tom Hanks, too, especially when it comes to ’80s comedies.
If we asked you what you know about Tom Hanks and Fred Rogers, you probably wouldn’t have much to say, other than they’re great men who are good at what they do, are loved by everybody and seem to be very giving, selfless guys. That’s all the more reasons why Tom Hanks is the inspired choice to play Mr. Rogers in his upcoming biopic.
As Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood turns 50 this year (yeah, crazy, right?), we thought we’d pay homage to Fred while giving Tom the go-ahead by breaking down just why Hanks is the right actor for the job. You won’t find cleaner fun anywhere else than this right here. Happy anniversary, Fred!
They both are universally loved…
…Because they understand us.
We’re guessing neither of these men has had an enemy in their lifetimes, which is why Tom is perfect for the job.
They’ve touched so many lives with their personalities…
…Yet neither of them have been accused of aggressive sexual behavior.
As far as we can tell, both of these men have led rich lives with clean records. The same cannot be said for many men, which is why Tom is perfect for the job.
They both have been awarded some of the highest honors…
…For being outstanding human beings.
Hanks was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest honor for a civilian in America, and Rogers received a Peabody Award, which is granted to great philanthropists within TV and radio, one of the highest honors in media, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award.
They’re both a couple of softies…
…But they somehow make it look badass.
Watch either of them long enough, and they’ll show you what it’s like to be a real man, which is why Tom is perfect for the job.
They’ve both been very giving in their lifetimes…
…Yet they’ve never hesitated to share a little bit more than expected.
Not only did Fred Rogers make it rain for PBS, he’s pretty great on the dance floor, which is why Tom is perfect for the job. These men have things they believe in and stand up for, even public television.
They both have killer moves…
…And thus, absolute lady killers.
Fred taught us it’s not about what we have, but what we do with what we have that counts. And Tom taught us about the value of waffles, which is why he’s perfect for the job.
They’ve both have won awards for their highly respected work…
…But the novelty has never worn off.
We could watch them both for days. So having one play the other seems…well, perfect.
But most importantly, they both look great in cardigans.
You can rest well, Fred, knowing your legacy is in the hands of one of the finest actors and men. Now, let’s make the most of this beautiful day…
