Fred Rogers of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" is in the news today for three main reasons. First, Tuesday, March 20 is his birthday. Secondly, episodes of his long-running television show are being streamed. Third, a movie is in the works that will star an A-list celebrity to play the part of the iconic cardigan wearing soft-spoken man that invited kids and adults into his neighborhood.

1. His birthday

Rogers was born on March 20, 1928, and died on February 27, 2003, at the age of 74 after a brief battle with stomach cancer. Had he lived, he would have turned 90 years old on Tuesday.

Rogers wore many hats. He was a musician, puppeteer, writer, producer, and a Presbyterian minister. His educational preschool television series displayed his mild-manner personality as a father and grandfather and his great love and patience with small children.

2. 50 year anniversary

"Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood" debuted in1967 on WQED and moved over to PBS in 1968. The solo host was 40 years old at the time. The popular long-running public television children’s show educated and entertained children. There has not been another one with the same format of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." The show is still been seen in reruns on many PBS stations.

Every episode of the show began the same way. Viewers could expect to see Mister Rogers coming through the door singing his theme song "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" He opened his closet where there was a collection of cardigans in different colors. He would change into one and put on a pair of sneakers while still singing and feeding his fish.

Episodes during the week ended with the song "Tomorrow." Friday episodes ended with "It's Such a Good Feeling." By the time Fred Rogers ended production of the show in 2001, a total of 895 episodes had been seen.

Rogers has been loved and imitated over the years because of his mild manners and soft speaking voice. Comedian Eddie Murphy did a parody of him on "Saturday Night Live" that became one of the public's favorites.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," The Twitch channel will stream all episodes of the show for free on its streaming platform. The 11-day marathon will be on Roger's birthday on March 20. Some episodes will be streamed that were never seen before.

3. Upcoming movie

Sony TriStar Pictures announced in January that the well-known actor Tom Hanks will play Mister Rogers in the real-life story "You Are My Friend." The title is based on Rogers' signature song. According to Entertainment Weekly, director Marielle Heller wants the public to know that it is a movie and not a biopic.

USA Today said Hanks is the only actor who can fill the comfortable shoes and cardigan of Rogers. A date has not been revealed when the film will be in theaters.

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