The man described as sound mixer was critically injured after he fell from a two-story balcony on the set of the biopic starring Tom Hanks.
- Oct 12, 2018
AceShowbiz - A crew member of Mister Rogers biopic starring Tom Hanks was seriously injured in a fall on the set on the Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The man, who is described as 65-year-old sound mixer from the Pittsburgh area, fell from a two-story balcony during a break between filming on Thursday, October 18.
Mt. Lebanon police say the man went out to smoke a cigarette on a second store balcony when bystanders heard a noise and discovered he had fallen two stories. He was taken to the nearby hospital, UPMC Mercy hospital, in serious condition, but after arriving his status worsened. He's currently in critical condition at the hospital.
Mt. Lebanon Police Chief Aaron Lauth told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that the man may have suffered a medical event before falling over the brick wall surrounding the balcony. Filming was canceled for the evening, while the police investigate the incident.
BREAKING: police activity in Mt. Lebanon. Security guard tells me this is where they are filming the Mr. Rodgers movie & someone is hurt. Two women just left upset @WPXIpic.twitter.com/vPw1PSYLGV
— Gabriella DeLuca (@GabriellaDeLuca) October 12, 2018
Hanks, who plays Fred Rogers in the movie, was on the set on Thursday, but has left after the incident. The film production studio has not released any statement regarding the matter. It's still unknown when filming will resume.
The untitled biopic, which is developed under the name "You Are My Friend", is described as a "timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism," it is based on a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and award-winning journalist Tom Junod. The cynical journalist begrudgingly accepts an assignment to write a profile piece on the beloved icon and finds his perspective on life transformed.
It is directed by "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" and "The Diary of a Teenage Girl" helmer Marielle Heller. The script is written by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster. Heller previously said that the movie wouldn't be a straightforward Fred Rogers biopic. Also starring Matthew Rhys, Chris Cooper and Susan Kelechi Watson, the movie is scheduled to open in U.S. theaters on October 18, 2019.
