Joanne Rogers: Tom Hanks ‘a very, very nice man’
Joanne Rogers, widow of the late Fred Rogers, and David “Speedy Delivery” Newell got a look at Mister Hanks’ neighborhood when TriStar Pictures’ untitled film project shot here last month.
Mr. Newell said they had background cameos in a restaurant scene. The movie directed by Marielle Heller (”Can You Ever Forgive Me?”) is in part based on the real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod.
Mrs. Rogers was asked about the experience Wednesday at a special event at Duquesne University, a conversation featuring Maxwell King, whose “The Good Neighbor” biography launched in September.
“He’s a very, very nice man,” she said of the film’s lead actor Tom Hanks. “He’s very energetic.
“He said to me ‘Did he [Mr. Rogers] really talk that slowly?’ Because he needed to know. I said ‘Yes, yes he did,’ “Mrs. Rogers said, smiling.
“Even at home?”
“Yes.”
In the course of Wednesday’s discussion, Mr. Rogers’ fascination with the number “143” came up. Not only was it symbolic (1 for “I”, 4 for “Love” and 3 for “You”), it was pretty much his body weight his entire adult life.
Someone asked if Mr. Hanks, who dropped major pounds in two of his biggest roles (”Philadelphia” and “Cast Away”) adhered to the 143 limit. Mrs. Rogers’ reply: “They decided Tom would not need to do that.”
The 50th anniversary year of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” began with specials, tributes of all sorts, and filmmaker Morgan Neville’s acclaimed documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
Mrs. Rogers, who still has a home in Pittsburgh, appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in June. She’s been interviewed by major networks and appeared at film industry events on behalf of Mr. Neville’s movie.
“Who would have believed all of this?” she said.