Why Tom Hanks Nearly Passed on Playing Fred Rogers
Tom Hanks almost turned down the role of Fred Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, rejecting it three times before director Marielle Heller finally convinced him, leading to his first Oscar nod in nearly two decades.
It’s not every day an actor gets to pick and choose their projects, but after decades at the top, Tom Hanks has earned that luxury. Since his breakout in Big, he’s been a fixture in the film world, known for both his acting chops and his knack for drawing crowds. With a couple of Oscars, a stack of Emmys, and a handful of Golden Globes under his belt, Hanks has long been considered a safe bet in the industry. So, when a role doesn’t quite grab him, it takes a fair bit of convincing to get him on board.
Few names in showbiz are as universally liked as Hanks, but Fred Rogers is one of them. The bloke behind Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood shaped the childhoods of generations, with his gentle manner and iconic cardigans. On paper, casting Hanks as Rogers seemed like a no-brainer. But director Marielle Heller had her work cut out for her, trying to get Hanks to agree to play the beloved TV host in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.
Reluctance and Persistence
Despite being the top pick for the part from the get-go, Hanks wasn’t keen. He knocked back the offer three times, not quite convinced he was the right fit. Heller, who’d just come on board as director, made it her mission to change his mind. Luckily, she already knew Hanks’ son, Colin, and was aware that Tom had been quietly following her career after being impressed by her earlier films.
After a proper chat, Heller managed to win Hanks over. The rest of the team could hardly believe it.
“They all looked at me like I’d just performed a miracle,”
Heller recalled.
“They could not believe that I had done it. I was like, ‘I will never be this cool again in my life!'”
The Right Fit After All
Sometimes the most obvious choice is the best one, and that proved true here. Hanks’ take on Rogers was spot on, earning him his first Oscar nomination in nearly twenty years, and his first ever in the supporting actor category. It ended up being the film’s only nod, but Heller’s persistence paid off in spades.
For Hanks, stepping into Rogers’ shoes wasn’t just another gig. It was a chance to bring a much-loved figure to life, and he did it in a way that resonated with punters and critics alike. The film’s success was a testament to the power of the right casting, even if it took a bit of arm-twisting to get there.