NEW YORK — Actor Tom Hanks is getting set to portray Pittsburgh legend Mr. Rogers in a new film debuting this week, and according to Ancestry.com, the two men are distantly related, Today.com reports.
VIDEO: "He really cared about people" Mrs. Rogers shares Fred's legacy ahead of new movie
Hanks and Rogers are sixth cousins, sharing a great-great-great-great-great grandfather, Johannes Mefford. Three of Mefford's sons served as American soldiers in the Revolutionary War.
Today.com reports Fred Rogers' great-great-great-great grandfather served in the Navy and was captured by the British in 1782. He was held on a prison ship in Barbados and Antigua for 10 months.
Tom Hanks' great-great-great-great grandfather fought in a skirmish at Chesapeake Bay.
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"So, Rogers and Hanks not only share the same ancestor they also descend from two brothers who fought for America's independence," Ancestry.com said in a statement to Today.
"A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" will be released nationwide on Friday.
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