Will Rogers (1879–1935)

Humorist Will Rogers was one of the most famous and beloved Americans of his time. His persona was that of a simple Everyman who employed common sense and clever good humor to view and comment on politics, lifestyles, and the American scene.

Rogers, part-Irish and part-Cherokee, was born in the Colagah Indian Territory, which is now Oklahoma. He quit school in 1891, became a cowboy in the Texas Panhandle, and performed with a traveling Wild West Circus. He first appeared on the New York stage in 1905 and became a full-fledged star on Broadway (see entry under 1900s—Film and Theater in volume 1) in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1916 (see entry under 1900s—Film and Theater in volume 1). Rogers soon appeared in motion pictures, debuting in Laughing Bill Hyde (1918). His popularity grew with the introduction of sound films in the late 1920s. Now, he could entertain moviegoers with his unique brand of verbal humor. He quickly became a top box office star.

Rogers was a lifelong Democrat, and his support helped elect Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) to the U.S. presidency in 1932. Rogers was not above poking fun at his party's sometimes erratic behavior, however. On one occasion, he noted, "No, I'm not a member of an organized political party—I'm a Democrat." Upon his introduction to Republican president Calvin Coolidge (1871–1933), he quipped, "Didn't catch the name," the first of many times the humorist made the often dour (stern or gloomy) chief executive smile. Rogers was killed in a plane crash in 1935. All America mourned his loss.

—Audrey Kupferberg

For More Information

Carter, Joseph H. I Never Met a Man I Didn't Like: The Life and Writings of Will Rogers. New York: Avon Books, 1991.

Malone, Mary. Will Rogers: Cowboy Philosopher. Springfield, NJ: Enslow, 1996.

Rogers, Will. Autobiography. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1949. Reprint, New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 1998.

Sonneborn, Liz. Will Rogers, Cherokee Entertainer. New York: Chelsea House, 1993.

Will Rogers Home Page.http://www.willrogers.org (accessed January 24, 2002).