14 Weird 'Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood' Facts

Since people first started buying television sets, there have been several iconic characters and personalities that have ultimately reached a legendary status. Considering all of the different types of programs that have been on the air over the years, it's a pretty impressive accomplishment to be considered as one of the most memorable. That is exactly the case with iconic children's show host Fred Rogers. While entertaining and educating kids on his show Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, Fred became a cultural phenomenon unlike any children's entertainer before him. But as great as the show was, there are many things people didn't realize were happening behind the scenes. 

1. There was a reason he always explained what he as doing in extreme detail.

He once received a letter from a young blind girl who asked if he would explain things for her!

2. All of Mr. Rogers' sweaters were hand-knit by his mother.

She made sweaters for all her children and gave them as gifts for Christmas. 

3. He was incredibly anal.

Everything had to be perfect on his set. He wouldn't allow for anything to be less than perfect, as he thought the children deserved to get the best show possible. 

4. Lady Elaine Fairchild is named after Mr. Rogers' adopted sister.

Her name was Elaine Crozier, and he loved her dearly. 

5. Big Bird refused to be on the show.

Mr. Rogers thought it would be great to have the man behind the Big Bird costume reveal himself and explain his job to the viewers. However, he declined this offer, thinking it was ridiculous to ruin the legacy of Big Bird. 

6. Many people believed that Fred Rogers was a Navy Seal or Marine in his past that had dozens of confirmed kills.

It was later revealed that these were nothing more than ridiculous rumors. 

7. Mr. Rogers always regretted naming his mailman Mr. McFeely.

He said that he didn't realize how many inappropriate jokes people could make with that name until it was far too late. 

8. He says that whenever he put a new sweater on, it was his way of saying hello to his mother.

As mentioned earlier, Rogers' mother also made all the sweaters.

9. He was actually colorblind.

He had no idea what color his sweaters were! That explains so much.

10. He was awarded 40 honorary degrees.

He got his original Bachelor's degree in music composition at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. 

11. His middle name was actually McFeely.

So that's who the mail man was named after!

12. He weighed exactly 143 pounds for the last 30 years of his life.

Mr. Rogers always followed his daily routine and was very health conscious. 

13. He got into television because he HATED television.

Apparently a younger Mr. Rogers was sick of seeing people throwing pies in each others faces and participating in nonsensical activities on TV, so he vowed to create a program that used the medium for more meaningful content.

14. Queen Sara was actually named after his wife!

Rogers liked naming his characters after real people in his life. Mr. McFeely was named after his grandfather and, as mentioned earlier, Elaine Fairchild was named after his sister.

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