Will Rogers
William "Will" Penn Adair Rogers (November 4, 1879 โ 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: ย ย ย 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.
Known For
Credits
- 2010 ยทWill Rogers and American Politicsas
- 1993 ยทShirley Temple: America's Little Darlingas Self (archive footage)
- 1990 ยทBabe Ruth: The Man, the Myth, the Legendas himself
- 1984 ยทGoing Hollywood: The '30sas (archive footage)
- 1976 ยทThe Biggest Little Star of the 30'sas Self(archive footage)
- 1975 ยทBrother, Can You Spare a Dime?as Self (archive footage)
- 1961 ยทThe Legend of Rudolph Valentinoas Self (archive footage)
- 1957 ยทThe Golden Age of Comedyas archive footage
- 1942 ยทScreen Snapshots (Series 22, No. 10)as Self (archive footage)
- 1940 ยทIf I Forget Youas Will Rogers (uncredited/archive footage)
- 1935 ยทIn Old Kentuckyas Steve Tapley
- 1935 ยทSteamboat Round the Bendas Doctor John Pearly
- 1935 ยทDoubting Thomasas Thomas Brown
- 1935 ยทLife Begins at Fortyas Keneshaw H. Clark
- 1935 ยทThe County Chairmanas Jim Hackler
- 1934 ยทJudge Priestas Judge William Pitman 'Billy' Priest
- 1934 ยทHandy Andyas Andrew Yates
- 1934 ยทDavid Harumas David Harum
- 1933 ยทMr. Skitchas Ira Skitch
- 1933 ยทDoctor Bullas Dr. George 'Doc' Bull
- 1933 ยทState Fairas Abel Frake
- 1932 ยทToo Busy to Workas Jubilo
- 1932 ยทDown To Earthas Pike Peters
- 1932 ยทBusiness and Pleasureas Earl Tinker
- 1931 ยทAmbassador Billas Bill Harper
- 1931 ยทYoung as You Feelas Lemuel Morehouse
- 1931 ยทA Connecticut Yankeeas Hank Martin
- 1930 ยทLightnin'as Lightnin' Bill Jones
- 1930 ยทSo This Is Londonas Hiram Draper
- 1929 ยทThey Had to See Parisas Pike Peters
- 1929 ยทHappy Daysas Minstrel Show Performer
- 1927 ยทExploring England with Will Rogersas
- 1927 ยทA Texas Steeras Cattle Brander
- 1927 ยทWinging Around Europe with Will Rogersas Himself
- 1927 ยทTiptoesas Uncle Hen Kaye
- 1927 ยทWith Will Rogers in Dublinas Self
- 1924 ยทA Truthful Liaras Ambassador Alfalfa Doolittle
- 1924 ยทJubilo, Jr.as Jubilo / Himself
- 1924 ยทDon't Park Thereas
- 1924 ยทGoing to Congressas Alfalfa Doolittle
- 1924 ยทBig Moments from Little Picturesas
- 1924 ยทThe Cake Eateras
- 1924 ยทThe Cowboy Sheikas 'Two Straw' Bill
- 1924 ยทTwo Wagons Both Coveredas Bill Bunian / Joe Jackson
- 1923 ยทUncensored Moviesas Lem Skagwillow
- 1923 ยทHustlin' Hankas Hank
- 1923 ยทJus' Passin' Throughas Jubilo
- 1923 ยทHollywoodas Will Rogers
- 1922 ยทThe Headless Horsemanas Ichabod crane
- 1922 ยทScreen Snapshots, Series 3, No. 12as Self
- 1922 ยทThe Ropin' Foolas 'Ropes' Reilly
- 1922 ยทOne Glorious Dayas Professor Ezra Botts
- 1921 ยทA Poor Relationas Noah Vale
- 1921 ยทDoubling for Romeoas Sam Cody / Romeo
- 1921 ยทBoys Will Be Boysas Peep O'Day
- 1921 ยทAn Unwilling Heroas Dick
- 1921 ยทGuile of Womenas Hjalmar Maartens
- 1920 ยทHonest Hutchas Hutch
- 1920 ยทCupid the Cowpuncheras Alec Lloyd
- 1920 ยทJes' Call Me Jimas Jim Fenton
- 1920 ยทThe Strange Boarderas Sam Gardner
- 1920 ยทWater, Water, Everywhereas Billy Fortune
- 1919 ยทJubiloas Jubilo
- 1919 ยทAlmost a Husbandas Sam Lyman
- 1918 ยทLaughing Bill Hydeas Bill Hyde