Will Rogers

Known for ActingBorn 1879-11-03Died 1935-08-15Oologah, 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 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.Read more

Movies & web series

Life Begins at Forty

In Old Kentucky

Two Wagons Both Covered

An Unwilling Hero

Cupid the Cowpuncher

The Strange Boarder

Going Hollywood: The '30s

Young as You Feel

A Texas Steer

Tiptoes

Winging Around Europe with Will Rogers

A Truthful Liar

Hollywood

One Glorious Day

Doubling for Romeo

Guile of Women

Boys Will Be Boys

A Poor Relation

Honest Hutch

Uncensored Movies

Doubting Thomas

David Harum

Steamboat Round the Bend

Down To Earth

Don't Park There

The Golden Age of Comedy

Mr. Skitch

The Legend of Rudolph Valentino

So This Is London

The Cake Eater

Hustlin' Hank

The Ropin' Fool

Water, Water, Everywhere

Jubilo, Jr.

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

Doctor Bull

Too Busy to Work

Judge Priest

The Cowboy Sheik

Going to Congress

Jus' Passin' Through

Ambassador Bill

They Had to See Paris

Business and Pleasure

If I Forget You

State Fair

Happy Days

Big Moments from Little Pictures