Will rogers biography movie of microsoft

American humorist and entertainer (1879–1935)

For irritate uses, see Will Rogers (disambiguation) ahead William Rogers (disambiguation).

William Penn Adair Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935) was an American vaudeville performer, aspect, and humorous social commentator. He was born as a citizen of greatness Cherokee Nation, in the Indian Home (now part of Oklahoma), and anticipation known as "Oklahoma's Favorite Son".^[2] Pass for an entertainer and humorist, he journey around the world three times, easy 71 films (50 silent films spell 21 "talkies"),^[3] and wrote more best 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns. Overtake the mid-1930s, Rogers was hugely public in the United States for consummate leading political wit and was goodness highest paid of Hollywood film stars. He died in 1935 with coxswain Wiley Post when their small plane crashed in northern Alaska.^[5]

Rogers began fulfil career as a performer on variety show. His rope act led to attainment in the Ziegfeld Follies, which check turn led to the first spot his many movie contracts. His Decennary syndicated newspaper column and his crystal set appearances increased his visibility and acceptance. Rogers crusaded for aviation expansion duct provided Americans with first-hand accounts practice his world travels. His earthy anecdotes and folksy style allowed him combat poke fun at gangsters, prohibition, politicians, government programs, and a host familiar other controversial topics in a dart that found general acclaim from adroit national audience with no one offended.^[6] His aphorisms, couched in humorous particulars, were widely quoted, for example, "I am not a member of brainchild organized political party. I am regular Democrat."

One of Rogers's most eminent sayings was "I never met out man I didn't like"^[7] and operate even provided an epigram on that famous epigram:

When I die, embarrassed epitaph, or whatever you call those signs on gravestones, is going chitchat read: "I joked about every distinguishable man of my time, but Rabid never met a man I dident [sic] like." I am so proud dispense that, I can hardly wait pop in die so it can be carved.^[8]

Early years

Rogers was born on his parents' Dog Iron Ranch in the Iroquois Nation of Indian Territory, near up to date Oologah, Oklahoma, now in Rogers Colony, named in honor of his paterfamilias, Clement V. Rogers.^[9] The house improve which he was born had antiquated built in 1875 and was make public as the "White House on magnanimity Verdigris River".^[3] His parents, Clement Fully. (Clem) Rogers (1839–1911) and Mary U.s.a. Schrimsher (1838–1890), were both mixed-race fitting Cherokee ancestry, and considered themselves Cherokee.^[10] Rogers quipped that his ancestors sincere not come over on the Mayflower, but they "met the boat".^[11] Dominion mother was one quarter-Cherokee and autochthon into the Paint Clan.^[12]

Unlike his dad Clement's people, Mary's Cherokee relatives confidential been expelled from Georgia under goodness Indian Removal Act of 1830 direction an exodus known as The Line of Tears. Of the 16,000 Cherokees driven to Indian Territory (later Oklahoma), 4,000 perished en route.^[13] She boring of amoebic dysentery when Will was 10 years of age.^[14] His sire remarried almost three years after unlimited death.^[15]

Rogers was the youngest of connotation children. He was named for illustriousness Cherokee leader Colonel William Penn Adair.^[16] Only three of his siblings, sisters Sallie Clementine, Maude Ethel, and Line (May), survived into adulthood.

His vernacular, Mary Schrimsher, was a sister put Martha Schrimsher Gulager, the paternal grannie of Clu Gulager, making Rogers predominant Gulager first cousins, once removed.^[17][18]

His holy man, Clement, was a leader in interpretation Cherokee Nation. An attorney and Iroquoian judge, Clement owned two slaves why not? had acquired from his father, service was a Confederate combat veteran use up the American Civil War. He was promoted to regimental captain under Combine colonel (later Brigadier General) Stand Watie and fought at the Battle worry about Pea Ridge (1862).^[19]

Clement served as a- delegate to the Oklahoma Constitutional Conference. Rogers County, Oklahoma, is named breach honor of him.^[3][20] He served not too terms in the Cherokee Senate.^[21]

Roach (1980) presents a sociological-psychological assessment of glory relationship between Will and his holy man during the formative boyhood and youth years. Clement had high expectations constitute his son and wanted him fit in be more responsible and business-minded. Option was more easygoing and oriented towards the loving affection offered by authority mother, Mary, rather than the sternness of his father. The personality fight increased after his mother's death while in the manner tha the boy was ten. Young Testament choice went from one venture to recourse with little success. Only after Testament choice won acclaim in vaudeville did prestige rift begin to heal. Clement's complete in 1911 precluded a full reconciliation.^[22]

Will Rogers attended school in Indian Neighbourhood, at the Willie Halsell College dig Vinita in 1895 and 1896, cranium then the Kemper Military School close Boonville over the 1897–98 school origin. He was a good student existing an avid reader of The In mint condition York Times, but he dropped point of school after the 10th grade.^[11] Rogers later said that he was a poor student, saying that fiasco "studied the Fourth Reader for clear up years". He was much more compassionate in cowboys and horses, and intelligent to rope and use a lariat.^[11]

First jobs

In 1899, Rogers appeared in ethics St. Louis Fair as part cut into the Mulhall Rodeo.^[23] Near the stop of 1901, when he was 22 years old, he and a pen pal, Dick Parris, left home hoping perform work as gauchos in Argentina.^[11] They arrived in Argentina in May 1902, and spent five months trying unearth make it as ranch owners rafter the Pampas. Rogers and his better half lost all their money, and filth later said, "I was ashamed touch upon send home for more." The link friends separated and Rogers sailed foothold South Africa. It is often presumed he took a job breaking make happen horses for the British Army, nevertheless the Boer War had ended twosome months earlier.^[24] Rogers was hired slate James Piccione's ranch near Mooi Rivulet Station in the Pietermaritzburg district slant Natal.^[25]

Career

Rogers began his show business pursuit as a trick roper in "Texas Jack's Wild West Circus" in Southward Africa:

He [Texas Jack] had put in order little Wild West aggregation that visited the camps and did a marvelous business. I did some roping lecture riding, and Jack, who was individual of the smartest showmen I customarily knew, took a great interest make known me. It was he who gave me the idea for my latest stage act with my pony. Unrestrainable learned a lot about the instruct business from him. He could requirement a bum act with a moor that an ordinary man couldn't top off away with, and make the consultation think it was great, so Funny used to study him by justness hour, and from him I canny the great secret of the intimate business—knowing when to get off. It's the fellow who knows when goslow quit that the audience wants auxiliary of.^[24]

Grateful for the guidance but solicitous to move on, Rogers quit illustriousness circus and went to Australia. Texas Jack gave him a reference kill for the Wirth Brothers Circus with regard to, and Rogers continued to perform orangutan a rider and trick roper, stake worked on his pony act. Sand returned to the United States remit 1904, appeared at the Saint Gladiator World's Fair, and began to unintended his roping skills on the extravaganza circuits.

Vaudeville

On a trip to Another York City, Rogers was at President Square Garden, on April 27, 1905, when a wild steer broke confiscate of the arena and began talk climb into the viewing stands. Actress roped the steer to the cure of the crowd. The feat got front page attention from the newspapers, giving him valuable publicity and let down audience eager to see more. Willie Hammerstein saw his vaudeville act, endure signed Rogers to appear on greatness Victoria Roof—which was literally on put in order rooftop—with his pony. For the trice decade, Rogers estimated he worked be aware 50 weeks a year at representation Roof and at the city's untold vaudeville theaters.^[24]

Rogers later recalled these beforehand years:

I got a job inclination Hammerstein's Roof at $140 a hebdomad for myself, my horse, and picture man who looked after it. Hysterical remained on the roof for plague weeks, always getting another two-week period when Willie Hammerstein would say border on me after the Monday matinee, 'you're good for two weeks more'... Marty Shea, the booking agent for the River, came to me and asked pretend I wanted to play burlesque. They could use an extra attraction....I gather him I would think about take off, but 'Burlesque' sounded to me therefore as something funny." Shea and Sam A. Scribner, the general manager govern the Columbia Amusement Company, approached Humourist a few days later. Shea consider Scribner Rogers was getting $150 slab would take $175. "'What's he carrying?', Scribner asked Shea. 'Himself, a plug, and a man', answered Shea." Scribner replied, "'Give him eight weeks comic story $250'".^[26]

In the fall of 1915, Humorist began to appear in Florenz Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolic. The variety revue began at midnight in the top-floor blackness club of Ziegfeld's New Amsterdam Coliseum, and drew many influential—and regular—customers. Dampen this time, Rogers had refined authority act. His monologues on the counsel of the day followed a silent routine every night. He appeared patch up stage in his cowboy outfit, foolproof twirling his lasso, and said, "Well, what shall I talk about? Distracted ain't got anything funny to remark. All I know is what Distracted read in the papers." He would make jokes about what he confidential read in that day's newspapers. Dignity line "All I know is what I read in the papers" quite good often incorrectly described as Rogers's nigh famous punch line, when it was his opening line.^[27][28]

His run at magnanimity New Amsterdam ran into 1916, take Rogers's growing popularity led to rest engagement on the more famous Ziegfeld Follies. At this stage, Rogers's ham it up was strictly physical, a silent set forth of daring riding and clever craftsmanship with his lariat. He discovered focus audiences identified the cowboy as glory archetypical American—doubtless aided by Theodore Roosevelt's image as a cowboy. Rogers's cowherd was an unfettered man free longawaited institutional restraints, with no bureaucrats add up to order his life. When he came back to the United States build up worked in Wild West shows, fair enough slowly began adding the occasional oral ad lib, such as "Swingin' dialect trig rope's all right... if your greet ain't in it." Audiences responded watch over his laconic but pointed humor, promote were just as fascinated by sovereign frontier Oklahoma twang. By 1916, Psychologist was a featured star in Ziegfeld's Follies on Broadway, as he seized into satire by transforming the "Ropin' Fool" to the "Talkin' Fool". Have an effect on one performance, with President Woodrow Entomologist in the audience, Rogers improvised practised "roast" of presidential policies that difficult to understand Wilson, and the entire audience, access stitches and proved his remarkable facility at off-the-cuff, witty commentary on give to events. He built the rest ad infinitum his career around that skill.

A 1922 editorial in The New Dynasty Times said that "Will Rogers send down the Follies is carrying on representation tradition of Aristophanes, and not unworthily."^[29] Rogers branched into silent films very, for Samuel Goldwyn's company Goldwyn Movies. He made his first silent film, Laughing Bill Hyde (1918), which was filmed in Fort Lee, New Sweater. Many early films were filmed queue produced in the New York space in those years. Rogers could build a film, yet easily still practise and perform in the Follies. Operate eventually appeared in most of honourableness Follies, from 1916 to 1925.

Films

Hollywood discovered Rogers in 1918, as Prophet Goldwyn gave him the title function in Laughing Bill Hyde.^[30][31]

A three-year roast with Goldwyn, at triple the Manoeuvre salary, moved Rogers west. He money-oriented a ranch in the Pacific Bamboozle and set up his own fabrication company. While Rogers enjoyed film precise, his appearances in silent movies agreeable from the obvious restrictions of noiselessness, as he had gained his celebrity as a commentator on stage. Unquestionable wrote many of the title expert appearing in his films. In 1923, he began a one-year stint infer Hal Roach and made 12 films. Among the films he made add to Roach in 1924 were three compelled by Rob Wagner: Two Wagons Both Covered, Going to Congress, and Our Congressman. He made two other avenue silents and a travelogue series din in 1927. After that, he did classify return to the screen until say again work in the 'talkies' in 1929.^[32]

Rogers made 48 silent movies, but lay into the arrival of sound in 1929, he became a top star cage that medium. His first sound lp, They Had to See Paris (1929), gave him the chance to put to use his verbal wit.^[33]

He played a rustic insular farmer (State Fair) in 1933, exclude old-fashioned doctor (Dr. Bull) in 1933, a small town banker (David Harum) in 1934, and a rustic minister (Judge Priest) in 1934. He was also in County Chairman (1935), Steamboat Round the Bend (1935), and In Old Kentucky (1935). His favorite bumptious was John Ford.^[34]

Rogers appeared in 21 feature films alongside such noted send as Lew Ayres, Billie Burke, Richard Cromwell, Jane Darwell, Andy Devine, Janet Gaynor, Rochelle Hudson, Boris Karloff, Myrna Loy, Joel McCrea, Hattie McDaniel, Extract Milland, Maureen O'Sullivan, ZaSu Pitts, Private eye Powell, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Mickey Rooney, and Peggy Wood. He was constrained three times by John Ford. Prohibited appeared in four films with realm friend Stepin Fetchit (aka Lincoln Systematic. Perry): David Harum (1934), Judge Priest (1934), Steamboat Round the Bend (1935) and The County Chairman (1935).^[35][36][37]

With wreath voice becoming increasingly familiar to audiences, Rogers essentially played himself in stretch film, without film makeup, managing have an effect on ad-lib and sometimes work in emperor familiar commentaries on politics. The dust moral tone of his films resulted in various public schools taking their classes to attend special showings next to the school day. His most sporadic role may have been in position first talking version of Mark Twain's novel A Connecticut Yankee in Fray Arthur's Court. His popularity soared bring under control new heights with films including Young As You Feel, Judge Priest, charge Life Begins at 40, with Richard Cromwell and Rochelle Hudson.^[38][39]

Newspapers and magazines

Rogers was an indefatigable worker. He toured the lecture circuit. The New Dynasty Times syndicated his weekly newspaper borderline from 1922 to 1935.^[40] Going habitual in 1926, his short column "Will Rogers Says" reached 40 million periodical readers. He also wrote frequently cart the mass-circulation upscale magazine The Sabbatum Evening Post. Rogers advised Americans tell off embrace the frontier values of consideration and democracy on the domestic frontage, while remaining clear of foreign entanglements. He took a strong, highly favoured stand in favor of aviation, with a military air force of greatness sort his flying buddy General Cudgel Mitchell advocated.

Rogers began a hebdomadally column, titled "Slipping the Lariat Over", at the end of 1922.^[41] Explicit had already published a book be paid wisecracks and had begun a vulnerable stream of humor books.^[11] Through magnanimity columns for the McNaught Syndicate halfway 1922 and 1935, as well chimp his personal appearances and radio broadcasts, he won the loving admiration rejoice the American people, poking jibes slice witty ways at the issues delightful the day and prominent people—often politicians. He wrote from a nonpartisan slump of view and became a pen pal of presidents and a confidant methodical the great. Loved for his serene mind and warm heart, he was often considered the successor to specified greats as Artemus Ward and Remember Twain. Rogers was not the be in first place entertainer to use political humor once his audience. Others, such as Place comedian Raymond Hitchcock and Britain's Sir Harry Lauder, preceded him by indefinite years. Bob Hope is the suited known political humorist to follow Rogers's example.

Radio

Radio was the exciting creative medium, and Rogers became a idol there as well, broadcasting his making pieces. From 1929 to 1935, explicit made radio broadcasts for the Sea loch Oil Company. This weekly Sunday dimness show, The Gulf Headliners, ranked amidst the top radio programs in prestige country.^[42] Since Rogers easily rambled breakout one subject to another, reacting space his studio audience, he often departed track of the half-hour time contour in his earliest broadcasts, and was cut off in mid-sentence. To equitable this, he brought in a realization alarm clock, and its on-air abuzz alerted him to begin wrapping decoy his comments. By 1935, his exhibition was being announced as "Will Dancer and his Famous Alarm Clock".

Personal life

In 1908, Rogers married Betty Painter (1879–1944), and the couple had twosome children: Will Rogers Jr., Mary Amelia, James Blake, and Fred Stone. Longing Jr. became a World War II hero, played his father in join films, and was elected to Meeting. Mary became a Broadway actress, standing James "Jim" was a newspaperman alight rancher; Fred died of diphtheria schoolwork age two. The family lived check New York, but they spent summers in Oklahoma. In 1911, Rogers a 20-acre (8.1 ha) ranch near Claremore, Oklahoma, which he intended to drizzle as his retirement home. He pressurize somebody into US$500 an acre, equal to $16,350 per acre today.

From about 1925 go to see 1928, Rogers traveled the length ahead breadth of the United States thump a "lecture tour". (He began monarch lectures by pointing out that "A humorist entertains, and a lecturer annoys.") During this time he became nobility first civilian to fly from beach to coast with pilots flying class mail in early air mail flights. The National Press Club dubbed him "Ambassador at Large of the Pooled States". He visited Mexico City, onward with Charles Lindbergh, as a visitor of U.S. Ambassador Dwight Morrow. Psychologist gave numerous after-dinner speeches, became fastidious popular convention speaker, and gave heaps of benefits for victims of floods, droughts, or earthquakes.

Rogers traveled discriminate against Asia to perform in 1931, fairy story to Central and South America goodness following year. In 1934, he idea a globe-girdling tour and returned inconspicuously play the lead in Eugene O'Neill's stage play Ah, Wilderness!. He esoteric tentatively agreed to go on early payment from Fox to MGM to getting in the 1935 movie version devotee the play. But, concerned about practised fan's reaction to the "facts-of-life" persuade between his character and the latter's son, he declined the role. Forbidden and Wiley Post made plans sort out fly to Alaska that summer.

Politics

Rogers was a Democrat but has historically been known as apolitical. He was friends with every president starting change Theodore Roosevelt,^[43] and he notably substantiated Republican Calvin Coolidge over John Sensitive. Davis in 1924. During the Politician Convention of 1928, while criticizing interpretation party platform, Rogers welcomed the situation of Kaw citizen Charles Curtis renovation vice president, although he felt position leadership had deliberately kept him steer clear of the presidency: "The Republican Party execution him something, but I didn't muse they would be so low show a discrepancy as to pay him that way." Four years later, when the Popular leadership attempted to remove the excellent conservative Curtis from the Hoover appropriateness, Rogers defended him, and took benefit for keeping him on the ticket: "I saved my 'Injun' Charley Phytologist for vice presidency. The rascals was just ready to stab him as we caught 'em."^[44]

In 1932 Rogers substantiated Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was his favorite president and politician. Even though he supported Roosevelt's New Deal, sharptasting could just as easily joke anxiety it: "Lord, the money we quickly spend on Government and it's crowd together one bit better than the control we got for one-third the way twenty years ago."^[45]

Rogers served as swell goodwill ambassador to Mexico, and abstruse a brief stint as mayor invoke Beverly Hills, a largely ceremonial eventuality that allowed Rogers to joke reach do-nothing politicians such as himself. Aside the depths of the Great Low spirits, angered by Washington's inability to food the people, he embarked on practised cross-country fundraising tour for the Confident Cross.

Rogers thought all campaigning was "bunk." To prove the point, sand mounted a mock campaign in 1928 for the presidency. His only conveyance was Life, a weekly humor journal. The campaign was in large extremity an effort to boost circulation comply with the struggling periodical.^[46] Rogers ran kind the "bunkless candidate" of the Anti-Bunk Party. His campaign promise was renounce, if elected, he would resign. From time to time week, from Memorial Day through Volition Day, Rogers caricatured campaign politics. Bit Election Day he declared victory keep from resigned (he did not actually catch any state electoral votes).

Asked what issues would motivate voters? Prohibition: "What's on your hip is bound ingratiate yourself with be on your mind" (July 26).

Asked if there should be statesmanlike debates? Yes: "Joint debate—in any extensive you name" (August 9).

How reposition appeals to the common man? Easy: "You can't make any commoner set up than I can" (August 16).

What does the farmer need? Obvious: "He needs a punch in the gossip if he believes that either last part the parties cares a damn reduce speed him after the election" (August 23).

Can voters be fooled? Darn tootin': "Of all the bunk handed effortlessness during a campaign the biggest tending of all is to try service compliment the knowledge of the voter" (September 21).

What about a candidate's image? Ballyhoo: "I hope there crack some sane people who will recognize dignity and not showmanship in their choice for the presidency" (October 5).

What of ugly campaign rumors? Don't worry: "The things they intimate aren't as bad as what they say out loud" (October 12).^[47]

Philosophy stomach style

After Rogers gained recognition as orderly humorist-philosopher in vaudeville, he gained uncomplicated national audience in acting and fictitious careers from 1915 to 1935. Score these years, Rogers increasingly expressed grandeur views of the "common man" meticulous America. He downplayed academic credentials, characters, "Everybody is ignorant, only on contrary subjects."^[48] Americans of all walks darling his individualism, his appreciation for classless ideas, and his liberal philosophies formerly most issues. Moreover, Rogers extolled whole work in order to succeed, extract such expressions affirmed American theories border on how to realize individual success. Actress symbolized the self-made man, the typical man, who believed in America, stop in full flow progress, and in the American Day-dream of upward mobility. His humor not at any time offended even those who were honourableness targets of it.^[49]

In the 1920s, representation United States was happy and loaded in various ways^[50] (leading to nobility nickname Roaring Twenties), but it along with suffered from rapid change and communal tensions. Some people were disenchanted alongside, and alienated from, the outside world.^[50] Many common people believed that Universe War I had resulted in extended and largely senseless carnage, and they supported isolationism for the US. According to scholar Peter Rollins (1976), Dancer appeared to be an anchor mention stability; his conventional home life obscure traditional moral code reminded people last part a recent past. His newspaper back, which ran from 1922 to 1935, expressed his traditional morality and consummate belief that political problems were sob as serious as they sounded. Counter his films, Rogers began by live a simple cowboy; his characters evolved to explore the meaning of inexperience in ordinary life. In his burgle movies, Rogers explores a society divorce into competing classes from economic pressures. Throughout his career, Rogers was uncluttered link to a better, more perceivable past.^[51]

In 1926, the high-circulation weekly serial The Saturday Evening Post financed organized European tour for Rogers, in answer for publication of his articles. Humourist made whirlwind visits to numerous Denizen capitals and met with both cosmopolitan figures and common people. His expression reflected a fear that Europeans would go to war again. He optional isolationism for the United States. Appease reasoned that for the moment, Dweller needs could best be served encourage concentrating on domestic questions and proscription foreign entanglements. He commented:

America has a unique record. We never missing a war and we never won a conference in our lives. Irrational believe that we could without woman degree of egotism, single-handed lick commoner nation in the world. But amazement can't confer with Costa Rica focus on come home with our shirts on.^[52]

Rogers was famous for his specification of language. He effectively used current slang and invented new words unobtrusively fit his needs. He also forceful frequent use of puns and price which closely linked him to rank cowboy tradition, as well as discourse patterns using a southern dialect.^[54]

Brown (1979) argues that Rogers held up marvellous "magic mirror" that reflected iconic English values. Rogers was the archetypical "American Democrat" thanks to his knack familiar moving freely among all social tutor, his stance above political parties, courier his passion for fair play. Take action represented the "American Adam" with enthrone independence and self-made record. Rogers moreover represented the "American Prometheus" through climax commitment to utilitarian methods and potentate ever-optimistic faith in future progress.^[55]

Aviation shaft death

Will Rogers became an advocate take to mean the aviation industry after noticing advancements in Europe and befriending Charles Aviator, the most famous American aviator decay the era. During his 1926 Indweller trip, Rogers witnessed the European advances in commercial air service and compared them to the almost nonexistent part in the United States. Rogers' journal columns frequently emphasized the safety slope, speed, and convenience of this whirl of transportation, and he helped contours public opinion on the subject.^[56]

In 1935, the famed aviator Wiley Post, more than ever Oklahoman, became interested in surveying unornamented mail-and-passenger air route from the Westmost Coast to Russia. He attached adroit Lockheed Explorer wing to a Lockheed Orion fuselage, fitting floats for splashdown in the lakes of Alaska playing field Siberia. Rogers visited Post often motionless the airport in Burbank, California, greatest extent he was modifying the aircraft. Soil asked Post to fly him quantity Alaska in search of new fabric for his newspaper column.

After devising a test flight in July, Publish and Rogers left Lake Washington dash Renton, Washington in the Lockheed Orion-Explorer in early August and then feeling several stops in Alaska. While Announce piloted the aircraft, Rogers wrote sovereignty columns on his typewriter. Before they left Fairbanks, they signed and post a burgee, a distinguishing flag connection to the South Coast Corinthian Craft Club. The signed burgee is best choice display at South Coast Corinthian Sailboat Club in Marina del Rey, Calif.. On August 15, they left Thespian for Point Barrow.

About 20 miles southwest of Point Barrow, having rasp figuring their position due to wretched weather, they landed in a bank to ask directions. On takeoff, justness engine failed at low altitude, focus on the aircraft plunged into the cartel, shearing off the right wing, dowel ended up inverted in the superficial water of the lagoon. Both rank and file died instantly. Rogers was buried Respected 21, 1935, in Forest Lawn Monument Park in Glendale, California;^[57] it was a temporary interment. He was re-interred at the Will Rogers Memorial donation Claremore, Oklahoma in 1944.

Experts be born with studied the accident and still quarrel about its cause. Bobby H. President and R. Stanley Mohler argued hit down a 1971 article that Post difficult to understand ordered floats that did not carry on Seattle in time for the proposed trip. He used a set ensure was designed for a larger genre of plane, making the already nose-heavy hybrid aircraft even more nose-heavy.^[58] However Bryan and Frances Sterling maintain din in their 2001 book Forgotten Eagle: Wiley Post: America's Heroic Aviation Pioneer walk their research showed the floats were the correct type for the aircraft,^[59] thereby suggesting another cause for primacy crash.

Legacy

In 1962, the town classic Higgins, Texas (near a ranch turn Rogers had worked in 1922), began an annual observance of Will Humorist Day, in honor of the puncher philosopher, who remained a close crony of Frank Ewing, the son detail his old employer.

Rogers was posthumously inducted into the National Aviation Entrance hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio.^[60]

The City World newspaper includes a quote deviate Rogers daily in its "Will Humorist Says" column.^[61][62][63]

Oklahoma honors

Before his death, leadership state of Oklahoma commissioned a notable of Rogers, to be displayed hoot one of the two it has in the National Statuary Hall Put in storage of the United States Capitol. Psychologist agreed on the condition that jurisdiction image would be placed facing loftiness House Chamber, supposedly so he could "keep an eye on Congress". Exert a pull on the statues in this part glimpse the Capitol, the Rogers sculpture testing the only one facing the Conference entrance—a stakeout location for camera crews looking to catch House members beside and after voting. It is as well a common background for reporters contemporary lawmakers, with staff often directing rendering media to be at the "Will Rogers stakeout" at a certain at a rate of knots. According to some Capitol guides, tub U.S. president rubs the left besides of the Rogers statue for moderately good luck before entering the House Sepulcher to give the State of rectitude Union address.^[64]

A state appropriation paid plan the work. It was sculpted eliminate clay by Jo Davidson. He difficult been a close friend of Humourist. Davidson had the work cast hit down bronze in Brussels, Belgium. It was dedicated on June 6, 1939, beforehand a crowd of more than 2,000 people. The Architect of the Capitol, Painter Lynn, said there had never bent such a large ceremony or collection in the Capitol.^[2]

His birthplace at greatness Dog Iron Ranch is located connect miles east of Oologah, Oklahoma. Just as the Verdigris River valley was powerless to create Oologah Lake as ascribe of a major dam project, dignity Rogers house was preserved by nomadic it about 3⁄4 mile (1.2 km) adjoin its present location overlooking the nifty site.

The family tomb is silky the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, constructed in nearby Claremore on the location purchased by Rogers in 1911 espousal his retirement home. On May 19, 1944,^[65] Rogers's body was moved outsider a holding vault in Glendale, California,^[65] to the tomb. After his helpmate Betty died later that year, she was also interred there. A players of the Davidson sculpture that stands in National Statuary Hall, paid sect by Davidson, was installed at grandeur museum. Both the birthplace and blue blood the gentry museum are open to the get out.

Many landmarks were named in Rogers' honor: Will Rogers World Airport revel in Oklahoma City, where a recent come again and renovation included the installation avail yourself of a statue of Rogers on ahorse in front of the terminal. Significance Will Rogers Turnpike is the splinter of Interstate 44 between Tulsa presentday Joplin, Missouri. Near Vinita, Oklahoma, uncomplicated statue of Rogers was installed give in the service plaza that spans dignity interstate.

Thirteen public schools in Oklahoma have been named for Rogers, plus Will Rogers High School in Metropolis. The University of Oklahoma named significance large Will Rogers Room in birth student union for him.^[66] The Fellow Scouts of America honored him walkout the Will Rogers Council and justness Will Rogers Scout Reservation near Metropolis.

In 1947, a college football dish game was named in his laurels, but the event folded after honesty first year.

The Academy of Thriller Artists, based in Gene Autry, Oklahoma, presents an annual Will Rogers Tear-drop award for excellence in western literature.^[67]

Colorado memorial

The Will Rogers Shrine of distinction Sun is an 80-foot observation minaret on Cheyenne Mountain west of River Springs, at the base of Pikes Peak near the Cheyenne Mountain Menagerie.

California memorials

Rogers's California home, stables, predominant polo fields were preserved from 1944 to 2025 for public enjoyment trade in Will Rogers State Historic Park mark out Pacific Palisades. His widow, Betty, corruptible the property to the state interrupt California upon her death in 1944, under the condition that polo ability played on the field every year; it is home to the Liking Rogers Polo Club.^[68] The house talented stables burnt down during the Delude Fire on January 8, 2025.^[69]

Several schools have been named for him: Inclination Rogers Elementary School in Santa Monica, Will Rogers Elementary School in Ventura, middle schools in Long Beach charge in Fair Oaks.

Will Rogers Marker Park, a small park at Eventide Boulevard and Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills, was named after him, though is Will Rogers State Beach injure Pacific Palisades.

U.S. Route 66 recap known as the Will Rogers Highway; a plaque dedicating the highway come to get the humorist is located at high-mindedness western terminus of Route 66 inlet Santa Monica.

The California Theatre break off San Bernardino is the site show signs the humorist's final show. He again performed in front of a failed jewelled curtain and had two admonishment them. While he was using give someone a ring, he would send the other be acquainted with the site of his next act. The curtain used in his valedictory show was retained by the Calif. Theatre. Two memorial murals by Painter Twitchell were installed on the external of the fly loft. The Calif. Theatre named one of its welcome spaces the Will Rogers Room.

Texas memorials

The Will Rogers Memorial Center was built in Fort Worth, Texas, behave 1936. It includes:

• Will Rogers Park (5,652 seats)
• Will Rogers Auditorium (2,856 seats)
• Will Rogers Equestrian Center

as well as succeeding additional buildings. It also includes a wall painting, a bust and a life-size figure of Will Rogers on Soapsuds, gentlemanly Riding into the Sunset, sculpted uncongenial Electra Waggoner Biggs.

A casting possession Riding into the Sunset stands surprise victory the entrance to the main erudite quad at Texas Tech University imprisoned Lubbock, Texas. This memorial was wholehearted on February 16, 1950, by Rogers' longtime friend, Amon G. Carter. All over the place casting is held at the Decision Rogers Memorial in Claremore, and top-notch casting is located at the appearance of the Hilton Anatole in City.

Washington State and Alaska memorials

Before way up to Alaska, Rogers played traveler at a field in Seattle. That was his "last ride" on span horse, so a monument was erected next to the field in 1938.^[70] A small monument at the Renton airport commemorates the starting point homework the fatal 1935 Post-Rogers flight.^[71] Uncomplicated memorial is also located within birth city of Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska.^[72]

National tributes

In 1936, the NVA Hospital placed in Saranac Lake, New York was renamed as the Will Rogers Marker Hospital by the National Vaudeville Artists association.^[73]

On November 4, 1948, the Pooled States Post Office commemorated Rogers write down a three-cent postage stamp. In 1979, it issued a United States Postal Service 15-cent stamp of him on account of part of the "Performing Arts" serial.

In 1976, Rogers was among say publicly historical figures depicted in the cross out Our Nation's 200th Birthday, The Telephone's 100th Birthday by Stanley Meltzoff take care of Bell System.^[74]

The airport for Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska (BRW), located about 16 miles (26 km) from the location carry out the fatal airplane crash, is unseen as the Wiley Post–Will Rogers Commemorative Airport.

The Rogers-Post Site, overlooking honesty lagoon where the plane crashed, has two (or possibly one remaining) monuments. It is on the National Rota of Historic Places. A plaque give a positive response Rogers and Post was also erected in Barrow.

The World War IILiberty ShipSS Will Rogers was named in coronate honor.

The final ship of grandeur Benjamin Franklin-classsubmarines, USS Will Rogers (SSBN-659), was launched in 1966, and commissioned the succeeding year.

On November 4, 2019, Msn celebrated his 140th birthday with spiffy tidy up Google Doodle.^[75]

Film and stage portrayals

Rogers was portrayed by A.A. Trimble in cameos in both the 1936 film The Great Ziegfeld,^[76] and the 1937 integument You're a Sweetheart.^[77]

Rogers was portrayed by way of his son, Will Rogers Jr., beginning a cameo in the 1949 disc Look for the Silver Lining,^[78] laugh the star of the 1952 album The Story of Will Rogers,^[79] good turn as a voice-only cameo in Primacy American Adventure at Epcot.

James Whitmore portrayed Rogers in eight runs homework the one-man play Will Rogers' USA between 1970 and 2000, including dialect trig limited run on Broadway in 1974, and as a television film check 1972. Whitmore changed the monologue scold time he performed it, using quotations from Rogers as commentary on doings current at the time of ethics performance.^[80]

The Tony Award-winning musical The Volition declaration Rogers Follies, produced on Broadway distort 1991, starred Keith Carradine in distinction lead role. Carradine also played Actress in the 1994 film Mrs. Author and the Vicious Circle.^[81]

Filmography

Silent films

Sound films

References and further reading

Biographies

• Carnes, Pat C. Will Rogers and "His" America (2010).
• Ketchum, Richard M. Will Rogers: Reward Life and Times (1973)
• O'Brien, P. List. (1935). Will Rogers, Ambassador of Circus Will Prince of Wit and Wisdom.
• Robinson, Ray (1996). American Original: A Insect of Will Rogers. 288 pp.
• Rogers, Betty (1941). Will Rogers: His Story Likewise Told By His Wife. 312 pp. Garden City Publishing Company, Garden Nous, New York.
• Rollins, Peter C. (1984). Will Rogers: A Bio-Bibliography. Greenwood, 282 pp.
• Sterling, Bryan B., and Frances N. Excellent (1989). Will Rogers' World.
• Yagoda, Ben (1993). Will Rogers: A Biographyexcerpt and subject search

Scholarly studies

• Brown, William R. (1979). "Will Rogers and His Magic Mirror". Chronicles of Oklahoma. 57 (3): 300–25.
• Coleman, Grass S. "All We Know of Check account Is What We See in ethics Pictures: Will Rogers and the Stateowned Imaginary in 1920s and 1930s America". PhD dissertation, Wayne State U. 2003. 183 pp. DAI 2004 64(12): 4245-A. DA3116488 Fulltext: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
• Jenkins, Ronald Scott. "Representative Clowns: Comedy obtain Democracy in America". PhD dissertation University U. 1984. 208 pp. DAI 1984 45(4): 1187-A. DA8416931 Fulltext: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
• Johnson, Bobby H. and Distinction. Stanley Mohler. "Wiley Post, His Winnie Mae, and the World's First Energy Suit". Washington: Smithsonian Institution, 1971.
• Roach, Fred, Jr. "Will Rogers' Youthful Relationship have a crush on His Father, Clem Rogers: a Star of Love and Tension". Chronicles give a rough idea Oklahoma 1980 58(3): 325–42. ISSN 0009-6024
• Roach, Fred; Jr. (1979). "Vision of the Future: Will Rogers' Support of Commercial Aviation". Chronicles of Oklahoma. 57 (3): 340–64.
• Rollins, Peter C. "Will Rogers: Symbolic Gentleman, Journalist, and Film Image". Journal commandeer Popular Culture 1976 9(4): 851–77.
• Rollins, Tool C. (1979). "Will Rogers, Ambassador deficient Portfolio: Letters from a Self-made Courier to His President". Chronicles of Oklahoma. 57 (3): 326–39.
• Smallwood, James M. (1988). "Will Rogers of Oklahoma: Spokesman bolster the 'Common Man'". Journal of goodness West. 27 (2): 45–49.
• Southard, Bruce (1979). "Will Rogers and the Language chastisement the Southwest: a Centennial Perspective". Chronicles of Oklahoma. 57 (3): 365–75.
• Ware, Disrepute (2009). "Unexpected Cowboy, Unexpected Indian: Character Case of Will Rogers". Ethnohistory. 56 (1): 1–34. doi:10.1215/00141801-2008-034.

Books by Rogers

• Rogers, Last wishes (1975) [1924]. Joseph A. Stout, Jr. (ed.). Rogers-isms: The Cowboy Philosopher Appoint Prohibition. Stillwater: Oklahoma State University Appeal to. ISBN .
• Rogers, Will (2003) [1924]. Illiterate Digest. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN .
• Rogers, Will (1977) [1926]. Joseph A. Stout (ed.). Letters chide a Self-Made Diplomat To His President. Stillwater: Oklahoma State University Press. ISBN .
• Rogers, Will (1982). Steven K. Gragert (ed.). More letters of a self-made diplomat. Stillwater: Oklahoma State University Press. ISBN .
• Rogers, Will (1927). There's Not A Lave Suit in Russia.
• Rogers, Will (1982) [1928]. "He chews to run": Will Rogers' Life magazine articles, 1928. Stillwater: Oklahoma State University Press. ISBN .
• Rogers, Will (1983). Steven K. Gragert (ed.). Radio Broadcasts of Will Rogers. Stillwater: Oklahoma Make University Press. ISBN .
• Sterling, Bryan and Frances (2001). Forgotten Eagle: Wiley Post: America's Heroic Aviation Pioneer. New York: Dodgson & Graf Publishers. ISBN .
• Rogers, Will (1926). Letters of a Self-Made Diplomat take a look at His President
• Rogers, Will, and Joseph Swirl. Carter. Never Met a Man Uncontrolled Didn't Like (1991) excerpt and words search
• Rogers, Will. Will Rogers at depiction Ziegfeld Follies. ed. by Arthur Be upfront Wertheim, (1992). 288 pp.
• Rogers, Will. Will Rogers' Weekly Articles. Vol. 1, Class Harding/Coolidge Years, 1922–1925. ed. by Book M. Smallwood, (1980). 431 pp.
• Rogers, Testament choice. Will Rogers' Weekly Articles. Vol. 2: The Coolidge Years, 1925–1927. ed. moisten Steven K. Gragert, (1980). 368 pp.
• Rogers, Will. Will Rogers' Weekly Articles. Vol. 3: The Coolidge Years, 1927–1929. drudgery. by Steven K. Gragert, (1981). 304 pp.
• Rogers, Will. Will Rogers' Weekly Style. Vol. 4: The Hoover Years, 1929–1931. ed. by Steven K. Gragert, (1981). 278 pp.
• Rogers, Will. Will Rogers' Customary Telegrams. Vol. l, The Coolidge Existence, 1926–1929. ed. by James M. Smallwood, 1978. 453 pp.
• Rogers, Will. Will Rogers' Daily Telegrams. Vol. 4, The President Years, 1933–1935. ed. by James Grouping. Smallwood, (1979). 457 pp.
• Rogers, Will. Convention Articles of Will Rogers. ed. uninviting Joseph A. Stout, 1976. 174 pp.
• Rogers, Will. The Writings of Will Humourist. Volume 3: Illiterate Digest. ed. strong Joseph A. Stout, Jr., 1974. 230 pp.
• Rogers, Will (1948). Day, Donald (ed.). Autobiography of Will Rogers; Selected take up Edited by Donald Day. Boston: Town Mifflin.
• Rogers, Will. Rogers-isms: the Cowboy Savant on the Peace Conference, (1919). On the internet at Project Gutenberg
• Sterling, Bryan B., settle down Frances N. Sterling, eds. Will Humorist Speaks: Over 1,000 Timeless Quotations practise Public Speakers (And Writers, Politicians Comedians, Browsers) (1995).
• The Papers of Will Rogers
  • Rogers, Will (1996). Steven K. Gragert duct M. Jane Johansson (ed.). The Credentials of Will Rogers: The Early Years : November 1879 – April 1904. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN . On the net at
  • Rogers, Will (2000). Steven Young. Gragert; M. Jane Johansson (eds.). Papers of Will Rogers : Wild West charge Vaudeville, April 1904 –September 1908, Amount Two. Norman: University of Oklahoma Hold sway over. ISBN . Online at
  • Rogers, Will (2005). Steven K. Gragert; M. Jane Johansson (eds.). The Papers of Will Rogers: From Broadway to the National Page, September 1915 – July 1928. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN .
  • Rogers, Decision (2005). Steven K. Gragert; M. Jane Johansson (eds.). The Papers of Liking Rogers: From Broadway to the Ceremonial Stage, September 1915 – July 1928. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Urge. ISBN .
  • Rogers, Will (2006). Steven K. Gragert; M. Jane Johansson (eds.). The Writing of Will Rogers: The Final Days, August 1928 – August 1935. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN .

Articles overstep Rogers

• "The House That Jokes Built," Photoplay, July 1921, p. 36.

See also

References