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Celebrating Mr Rogers' 50th anniversary

He spoke softly and sang even softer. He taught kindness. He never forgot to feed his fish and always offered to be your neighbour.

It's been 50 years since Fred Rogers first graced the television screens of families' homes across North America.

In 1963, Rogers moved to Toronto where CBC contracted him to develop his own on-camera show. His U.S. debut of Mister Rogers Neighbourhood hit networks on Feb. 19, 1968.

Rogers was notorious for tying his shoes and swapping out blazers for sweaters - all the while singing cheerfully to his at-home audience.

But, if that's your summary of Mr Rogers, the following story might have you feeling emotions Rogers likely helped us understand, many moons ago.

<who> Photo Credit: Getty Images </who> Fred Rogers.

Over the years, sceptics questioned whether or not Rogers was as kind and empathetic as his TV persona. Rogers' affectations were put to the test many times throughout his life - whenever a fan of the friendly neighbour would approach him in public.

Anthony Breznican, a writer, shared about his encounter and the impact Rogers had in his adult life.

"Fred Rogers was the real thing. That gentle soul? It was no act," said Breznican.

<who> Photo Credit: IMDb </who> Mister Rogers' Neighbourhood (1968).

Breznican grew up in Pittsburgh, Pensylvannia - Rogers' home state.

He grew up watching the show, lost touch with it later in life, and rediscovered Rogers during college one year.

"I was having a hard time. The future seemed dark. I was struggling, lonely, dealing with a lot of broken pieces and not adjusting well," he said.

To cope with his struggles, Breznican poured his efforts into his studies, but still often felt hopeless, he said.

"One span was especially bad. Walking out of the dorm, I heard familiar music: 'Won't you be my neighbour.'"

Mr Rogers was on the television in an empty common room, asking his viewers what they do with the mad they feel.

"His show felt like a cool hand on a hot head. I left feeling better," said Breznican.

Embed from Getty Images

A few days later, Breznican was heading into an elevator, and as the doors opened, Mr Rogers was standing inside.

"I can't believe it. I get in and he nods at me. I do back. I think he could sense a geek-out coming. But I kept it together. Almost," said Breznican.

As the elevator reached the lobby floor, Rogers let Breznican out first, but he felt the urge to say something.

"'Mr. Rogers...I don't mean to bother you. But I wanted to say thanks.'

Mr Rogers smiled and asked, 'Did you grow up as one of my neighbours?'

"I felt like crying: 'Yeah. I was 14,'" he replied.

Mr Rogers lifted his arms and gave Breznican a hug saying "It's good to see you again neighbour."

They continued walking while Breznican fumbled with words, eventually conveying to Rogers that he'd recently been going through a difficult time when Rogers appeared on television and helped him feel better.

Rogers stopped walking and motioned for the two of them to sit down.

<who> Photo Credit: Gage Skimore </who> Anthony Breznican at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con.

"This is what set Mr Rogers apart. No one else would've done this. He goes: 'Do you want to tell me what was upsetting you?'"

Breznican's grandfather had recently died and was one of the few good things in his life.

"I was left feeling adrift. Brokenhearted," he told Rogers.

Rogers said he still missed his grandfather but encouraged him to focus on the gifts his grandfather recognized in him and use those gifts.

"Finally, I said thank you. And apologized if I made him late for an appointment. 'Sometimes you're right where you need to be,' he said."

Regular viewers may recall a moment where changed from feeding his fish each episode, to stopping mid-episode and telling his listeners, "I'm feeding the fish."

He'd learned what was obvious to most viewers, wasn't apparent to a five-year-old girl named Katie.

Rogers received a letter from a blind girl who wrote that she heard him say he owned fish, but worried he wasn't feeding them. So at the end of every show, he'd say, "I'm feeding the fish," just for Katie.

An excerpt from Dear Mr. Rogers, Does It Ever Rain In Your Neighbourhood? confirms this:

<who> Photo Credit: Google Books </who> Dear Mr. Rogers, Does It Ever Rain in Your Neighbourhood?: Letters to Mr. Rogers.

Rogers once told CNN in an interview, "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."

"The whole idea," he said, "is to look at the television camera and present as much love as you possibly could to a person who might feel that he or she needs it."

<who> Photo Credit: Derek Wolfgram </who> Fred Rogers in Chicago in 1994.

On Feb. 27, 2003, Rogers died of stomach cancer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at 74.

He's survived by his wife, Joanne Rogers. The two met at seminary and both became ordained Presbyterian ministers.

The show ran for 895 episodes, the latest set of new episodes aired in August 2001.



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