If you’re the type that loves feeling old, nostalgic or a bit of both, this will make you smile.
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You may remember one of the most memorable characters on the children’s show, “Mister Rogers' Neighborhood,” was Mr. McFeely, Mr. Rogers’ mail carrier.
The character, played by David Newell, became known to many with his signature catchphrase, “Speedy delivery!”
Now, David’s adult son, Alex Newell, 39, is following his father’s footsteps, has been working as an actual mailman for the United States Postal Service for the last five years in the Pittsburgh area.
Recently, he made an appearance as a postal carrier on the Mister Rogers spinoff series “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
In the series episode, based on one of Mr. Rogers' puppets, the real-life mailman made a “speedy delivery,” playing a postal worker who worked to make sure a little girl’s package was delivered to a friend.
David, the 82-year-old actor, still makes appearances as his character. He said that he is proud that his son was on the spinoff because he grew up watching his father on the show, which ran from 1968 through 2011.
“In a way, Alex grew up in 'Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,' in reality and in pretend,” David said. “He watched the program as he was growing up, and now he’s making a delivery on ['Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood']. And that makes me so proud.”
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He explained how amazing it was that his son’s real-life job was the career path he played on television.
“How ironic he would be a delivery slash postman, and I’ve been pretending to be one for over 40 years!” David said.
Alex said that his occupation was a complete coincidence and said his cameo was a great way to “carry on the legacy of what Mister Rogers created.”
Alex thanked his father for being the “greatest teacher for me and every other kid that grew up with the show.”
“Thank you for being the greatest role model there is,” he said, “besides Mister Rogers.”
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