Madison man inspires Tom Hanks' role as Mister Rogers in new film

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Madison man's courageous story inspires actor Tom Hanks' newest role. 

Jeffrey Erlanger was famously featured on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. 

Jeffrey passed away in 2007 at the age of 35. Surgery to remove a spinal tumor left him disabled at a young age. He was an activist who fought for disability rights. 

At 10 years old, Jeffrey appeared on Rogers' show to talk about the importance of his electric wheelchair.

Tom Hanks tells Vanity Fair that the interview moved him to tears and is part of why he decided to play Rogers in the film, "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood."

The film comes out in November.