Will Rogers – An American Actor, Humorist, Newspaper Columnist, Social Commentator, Vaudeville Performer as well as A Cowboy

Who is Will Rogers?

Will Rogers was an American actor, humorist, newspaper columnist, social commentator, vaudeville performer, as well as a cowboy. He was a stage and motion picture actor. Will was born on November 4, 1897, in Oologah, Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma. On August 15, 1935, he died in Point Barrow, Alaska Territory.

Early Life

Will was born to Clement V. Rogers and Mary America Schrimsher, as the youngest of the eight siblings. He was born with the birth sign Scorpio. When he was 11 years, his mother died. This affected their relationship with his father.

During high school, he was a highly knowledgeable person. During his teenage, he left Oklahoma for his better future.

Will Rogers Career

Will started to work as a cowboy since 1898 in Texas. Then, in Argentina, he worked as a gaucho till 1902. Later, in the same year, Will worked as a trick roper and rider in Texas Jack’s Wild West Circus. He then showed his talent to the audience from his witty sense of humor. Eventually, in 1904, Rogers started to work on the vaudeville circuits showing his roping skills. While he worked there, an American theatre manager, Willie Hammerstein, saw his act. He was impressed by Will’s law. Then, Willie dealt with Will to work for his theatre acts. Subsequently, Will became a star from his incredible technical ability and a charming personality.

In 1915, Will began his career in Broadway. For the first time, he appeared in “Midnight Frolic” by Florenz Ziegfeld. Then, Rogers played in “The Wall Street Girl” in 1916. Eventually, he worked for many theaters then. Mainly, from 1916 to 1925, he worked for the acclaimed theatrical production, “Ziegfeld Follies.”

Will debuted in the movie in 1918, from the silent film, “Laughing Bill Hyde.” Eventually, he then worked for 48 silent films, which became successful. Later, after sound arrived, in 1933, he performed his first sound movie. In total, he played for 21 sound movies.

Besides, Will worked in the newspaper, The New York Times, from the year 1922 to 1935. Also, he served for the magazine “The Saturday Evening Post.” Moreover, from 1939 to 1935, he made radio broadcasts for the company, “Gulf Oil Company.”

Personal Life

Will Rogers was a married man. He married Betty Blake in 1908. Also, the couple had four children together; Fred Stone, James Blake, Mary Amelia, and Will Rogers Jr.

Will Rogers Jr was a member of Congress, and also he became the World War II hero. James Blake became a ranger. Mary Amelia became the actress.

Will had a passion for airplanes. Along with the pilot, he regularly flew to many places in America. Sadly, on August 15, 1935, he died in a plane crash. Besides, the airport in Oklahoma City was named after him as “Will Rogers World Airport.”