Will Rogers Biography

“An actor is a fellow that just has a little more monkey in him than the fellow that can’t act.” – Will Rogers

1879
William Penn Adair Rogers is born on his father’s ranch near Oologah, Indian Territory.

1898
Begins work as a cowboy on a ranch in Higgins, Texas.

1902
In December, joins Texas Jack’s American Circus and Wild West Show In South Africa as a bronco rider and lasso thrower. Billed as the “Cherokee Kid.”

1904
Joins Colonel Zach Mulhall’s Wild West Show as a fancy roper at the World’s Fair in St. Louis. In October, plays in a vaudeville bill at the Cleveland Theatre in Chicago.

1905
Receives considerable publicity for helping to rope a runaway bull that had run into stands at the Horse Fair in New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Buck McGee becomes his partner, riding Will’s horse on stage.

1908
Will marries Betty Blake in Arkansas on November 25. They will have four children. Three of them survive to adulthood.

1915
Will takes his first airplane flight in Atlantic City.

1916
He gives his first presidential performance to Woodrow Wilson in May. In July, Will joins the Ziegfeld Follies as a comedian and emcee.

1918
Will makes his first motion picture, Laughing Bill Hyde.

1919
Moves the family to California to start a silent film contract with Goldwyn Studio.

1922
He stars in and produces his own motion pictures, as well as begins a series of syndicated weekly articles for the McNaught Syndicate.

1925
Travels all over United States on a lecture tour.

1926
Elected honorary mayor of Beverly Hills, California.

1929
Will makes his first sound picture for Fox Film Corporation. He will star in 21 films for them from 1929-1935.

1930
Does a series of radio broadcasts for E. R. Squibb and Sons.

1931
Travels to Nicaragua to benefit earthquake and fire victims and London to observe disarmament conference.

1933
Will Rogers is the highest paid film star in Hollywood. His famous talks on the Gulf Oil radio broadcasts reach millions of listeners. Will and Betty celebrate their silver anniversary.

1935
August 15, Will Rogers is killed with his friend Wiley Post in an airplane crash near Point Barrow, Alaska.