Ancestry.com has found out that they are the sixth cousins. "It all comes together, you understand," Hanks told Access Hollywood when the show briefed him on the relationship. "He says he did not know they were related when he took over the role.
Ancestry found that they were only six cousins, and their common ancestor was Johannes Meffert Ancestors had the surname Mefford.
"Fred Rogers and Tom Hanks are sixth cousins who share the same 5x great-grandfather … who immigrated from Germany to America in the 18th century," Ancestry spokeswoman Keri Madonna told CNN Tuesday.
Hanks and Rita Wilson, his wife, could not believe the news.
"No, impossible! They're pulling our legs, "Wilson said when Access Hollywood told the duo.
Many fans have told Hanks make a perfect Mr. Rogers, and maybe that's the reason.
The film will be premiered on November 22.