Facts About Mister Rogers That Reveal What He Was Really Like
If you ever watched the iconic television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, you might have picked up on two of Fred Rogers' programming staples — eclecticism and consistency. No two episodes were alike, but the same tonal and artistic themes ran through each introduction and segment. Offscreen, Mr. Rogers' not-so-public traits were as unique as they were charming.
He Loved Love
For some, Mr. Rogers' comforting demeanor was all they needed to feel safe and welcome. It's no secret that he loved love. In fact, he typically weighed in at 143 pounds, which to him, signified the letters in the words "I Love You": 1, 4, and 3! "It takes one letter to say I," his official site said, "and four letters to say love and three letters to say you."
He Had A Weight Obsession
Mr. Rogers' supreme self-discipline extended to the things most people wouldn't even think about. For instance, he was obsessed with the idea that he should always weigh the same amount: 143 pounds. It wasn't the easiest thing to maintain, but with the help of willpower and a scale, he weighed himself every morning.
He Responded to Every Letter
Mister Rogers would receive fan letters by the thousands, and no matter how long it took, he always made sure to respond to each one. Mind you, this was long before the days of email, and especially direct messaging on Instagram. He had to hand write everything, but it was important to him to let people know he cared.
He Was a Minister
It might be hard to explain to someone who has never seen the show, but something about Mister Rogers's gentle yet assertive demeanor demanded respect. What many don't know is that he was an ordained Presbyterian minister. We're sure that had something to do with his stage presence!
