A man who never met someone he didn’t like. An Oklahoma native and American entertainer. A person with a day named after him. That’s Will Rogers.
How many people can say a day was created in honor of them? Rogers, known as Oklahoma’s Favorite Son and America’s Cowboy Philosopher, could. Will Rogers Day was created in honor of his birthday, Nov. 4, 1879.
He not only has a day named in his honor, but an airport as well. Will Rogers World Airport is located in Oklahoma City.
EARLY LIFE
Rogers was born between Claremore and Oologah, Oklahoma, and was a quarter Cherokee Native American.
His full name was William Penn Adair Rogers.
He was the son of Clement Vann Rogers and Mary America Schrimsher Rogers.
Rogers’ father helped write the Oklahoma Constitution and was a judge and senator for the state.
The Rogers’ home was known as the “White House on the Verdigris River” and hosted several weddings, christenings, funerals, and parties. It also hosted meetings for commerce, community and government affairs.
He was the youngest of eight children, but four of his siblings died before making it to adulthood. Rogers’ mother also died when he was only 10 years old.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
He started out as a cowhand and was known for many things throughout his lifetime, namely public speaking. He was a famed newspaper columnist, radio personality, film actor, trick roper and more.
Rogers was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records because he was able to throw three lassos at once.
He traveled around the world three times.
What really jump-started his career was his success as a trick roper on the stage of vaudeville.
Vaudeville was a form of entertainment that included song, dance and burlesque comedy.
Rogers then became a part of the Florenz Ziegfeld’s Midnight Frolic.
The Ziegfeld Follies was another type of entertainment that included musical skits, comedy, dance and a chorus line.
After his performances on both vaudeville and the Ziegfeld Follies, Rogers became a movie star.
He was known for using shoe polish so that his ropes could be seen well on his films.
He was able to successfully continue his movie career once films started having sound, which wasn’t a common accomplishment for movie stars during that time.
He made more than 70 films throughout his lifetime.
WRITTEN CAREER
Rogers was also known for his radio persona and his writing.
He had his own radio show called “The Good Gulf Show.” His trademark was using an alarm clock so that he wouldn’t go over the half-hour time limit of his show.
He used a telegram to submit his daily and weekly newspaper columns and put two million words in print during his lifetime.
Rogers married Betty Blake, and they had four children together.
Their children’s names were Will Rogers Jr., Mary Amelia, James Blake and Fred Stone.
Fred Stone, died of diphtheria at the age of two.
Rogers died Aug. 15, 1935. He was in a plane crash caused by engine failure that killed him and the pilot instantly. He was 55 years old.
“Oklahoma’s Favorite Son” and “America’s Cowboy Philosopher” never met a man he didn’t like and was also known for his humor and wit. His quotes on politics and life are immortalized in print and online.
Rogers once said, “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”