Will Rogers Photo

Will Rogers

Acting

0.7 Popularity Nov 03, 1879 (55 years old) Oologah, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma)

William "Will" Penn Adair Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935) was an American cowboy, comedian, humorist, social commentator, vaudeville performer and actor and one of the best-known celebrities in the 1920s and 1930s.

Known as Oklahoma's favorite son, Rogers was born to a prominent Chero...

Biography

William "Will" Penn Adair Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935) was an American cowboy, comedian, humorist, social commentator, vaudeville performer and actor and one of the best-known celebrities in the 1920s and 1930s.

Known as Oklahoma's favorite son, Rogers was born to a prominent Cherokee Nation family in Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma). He traveled around the world three times, made 71 movies (50 silent films and 21 "talkies"), wrote more than 4,000 nationally-syndicated newspaper columns, and became a world-famous figure. By the mid-1930s, Rogers was adored by the American people. He was the leading political wit of the Progressive Era, and was the top-paid Hollywood movie star at the time. Rogers died in 1935 with aviator Wiley Post, when their small airplane crashed near Barrow, Alaska.

His vaudeville rope act led to success in the Ziegfeld Follies, which in turn led to the first of his many movie contracts. His 1920s syndicated newspaper column and his radio appearances increased his visibility and popularity. Rogers crusaded for aviation expansion, and provided Americans with first-hand accounts of his world travels. His earthy anecdotes and folksy style allowed him to poke fun at gangsters, prohibition, politicians, government programs, and a host of other controversial topics in a way that was readily appreciated by a national audience, with no one offended. His short aphorisms, couched in humorous terms, were widely quoted: "I am not a member of an organized political party. I am a Democrat."

Rogers even provided an epigram on his most famous epigram:

    When I die, my epitaph, or whatever you call those signs on gravestones, is going to read: "I joked about every prominent man of my time, but I never met a man I dident like." I am so proud of that, I can hardly wait to die so it can be carved.

Description above from the Wikipedia article Will Rogers, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Filmography 73

2010
Will Rogers and American Politics Movie

as Self (archive footage)

1993
Shirley Temple: America's Little Darling Movie

as Self (archive footage)

1984
Going Hollywood: The '30s Movie

as (archive footage)

1976
The Biggest Little Star of the 30's Movie

as Self(archive footage)

1975
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? Movie

as Self (archive footage)

1961
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino Movie

as Self (archive footage)

1957
The Golden Age of Comedy Movie

as archive footage

1942
Screen Snapshots (Series 22, No. 10) Movie

as Self (archive footage)

1940
If I Forget You Movie

as Will Rogers (uncredited/archive footage)

1935
In Old Kentucky Movie

as Steve Tapley

1935
Steamboat Round the Bend Movie

as Doctor John Pearly

1935
Doubting Thomas Movie

as Thomas Brown

1935
Life Begins at Forty Movie

as Keneshaw H. Clark

1935
The County Chairman Movie

as Jim Hackler

1934
Judge Priest Movie

as Judge William Pitman 'Billy' Priest

1934
Handy Andy Movie

as Andrew Yates

1934
1934
David Harum Movie

as David Harum

1933
Mr. Skitch Movie

as Ira Skitch

Photos 2

Will Rogers Photo
Will Rogers Photo

Personal Details

Known For Acting
Gender Male
Birthday November 03, 1879 (55 years old)
Died August 15, 1935
Place of Birth Oologah, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma)
Years Active 1918 - 2010
Popularity 0.7
Career Stats
73 Total Credits
66 Movie Roles
2 Photos