History of Will Rogers in Timeline
Will Rogers, known as "Oklahoma's Favorite Son," was a renowned American entertainer, humorist, and social commentator. Born in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, Rogers achieved international fame through vaudeville performances, 71 films, and over 4,000 syndicated newspaper columns. His political wit and humor resonated deeply with the American public, making him one of Hollywood's highest-paid stars by the mid-1930s. His life was tragically cut short in 1935 when he and aviator Wiley Post died in a plane crash in Alaska.
1901: Departure for Argentina
At the age of 22, in late 1901, Will Rogers and his friend Dick Parris left home to pursue work as gauchos in Argentina. This marked the beginning of Rogers's travels and adventures abroad.
May 1902: Arrival and Failure in Argentina
In May 1902, Will Rogers and Dick Parris arrived in Argentina, where they spent five months attempting to establish themselves as ranch owners. However, their venture failed, leading them to lose all their money and eventually separate.
1904: Return to the United States and Vaudeville Debut
After working in Australia with the Wirth Brothers Circus, Will Rogers returned to the United States in 1904. He performed at the Saint Louis World's Fair and began to showcase his roping skills on the vaudeville circuits, marking a significant step in his entertainment career.
April 27, 1905: Roping Steer at Madison Square Garden
On April 27, 1905, at Madison Square Garden, Will Rogers roped a wild steer that had escaped into the viewing stands. This act of daring brought him significant media attention and boosted his public profile, leading to opportunities in vaudeville.
1908: Marriage and Family
Will Rogers married Betty Blake in 1908 and they had four children.
1911: Death of Clement V. Rogers
Clement V. Rogers, Will Rogers's father, died in 1911. Their relationship had been strained due to differing personalities and expectations, but Will's success in vaudeville had begun to heal the rift before Clement's death.
1911: Purchase of Oklahoma Ranch
In 1911, Rogers bought a ranch near Claremore, Oklahoma, intending it as his retirement home.
1911: Death of Clement V. Rogers
Will Rogers's father, Clement V. Rogers, passed away in 1911. This occurred after Will had achieved success in vaudeville, but before a full reconciliation between father and son could take place.
1915: National Audience and Common Man's Views
From 1915 onward, Rogers gained a national audience and increasingly represented the views of the common man.
1915: Debut in Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolic
In the fall of 1915, Will Rogers began performing in Florenz Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolic, a late-night variety show at the New Amsterdam Theatre. This marked a significant step up in his career and allowed him to refine his comedic monologues on current events.
1916: Featured Star in Ziegfeld Follies
Will Rogers became a featured star in Ziegfeld's Follies on Broadway in 1916. He transitioned from silent roping tricks to incorporating humor and commentary on current events, earning acclaim for his witty improvisations and establishing his signature style.
1916: Start of Follies Appearances
Will Rogers began his long association with the Ziegfeld Follies in 1916, continuing to appear in most editions until 1925. This period cemented his reputation as a leading comedic performer.
1918: Hollywood Discovery and Film Debut
In 1918, Will Rogers was discovered by Samuel Goldwyn and given the title role in the film "Laughing Bill Hyde". This marked the beginning of his Hollywood career and his transition to the silent film era.
1918: Silent Film Debut
Will Rogers made his silent film debut in "Laughing Bill Hyde" in 1918, marking his entry into the film industry. The movie was filmed in Fort Lee, New Jersey, a hub for early film production.
1922: Newspaper Column
Will Rogers started his syndicated newspaper column, "Will Rogers Says," in 1922.
1922: Start of newspaper column
In 1922, Will Rogers began writing a newspaper column that ran until 1935. The column expressed his traditional morality and belief that political problems were less serious than they appeared. This work contributed to his image as an anchor of stability during a time of social tension in the United States.
1922: "Slipping the Lariat Over" Column Begins
Will Rogers began his weekly column, "Slipping the Lariat Over," at the end of 1922.
1922: New York Times Editorial Praise
A 1922 New York Times editorial praised Will Rogers's performances in the Follies, comparing him favorably to the ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes. This recognition underscored his rising prominence as a social commentator and humorist.
1923: Work with Hal Roach Studios
Will Rogers began a one-year contract with Hal Roach Studios in 1923, during which he made twelve films. This marked a productive period in his silent film career.
1924: Films Directed by Rob Wagner
In 1924, Will Rogers starred in three films directed by Rob Wagner: "Two Wagons Both Covered", "Going to Congress", and "Our Congressman", all produced under Hal Roach Studios.
1924: Support for Calvin Coolidge
Rogers supported Republican Calvin Coolidge over Democrat John W. Davis in the 1924 presidential election.
1925: Lecture Tour and Cross-Country Flight
Around 1925, Will Rogers embarked on a U.S. lecture tour and became the first civilian to fly coast-to-coast with air mail pilots.
1925: End of Regular Follies Appearances
Will Rogers concluded his regular appearances in the Ziegfeld Follies in 1925 after a successful run that significantly boosted his career.
1926: Advocacy for aviation industry
During his 1926 European tour, Will Rogers became an advocate for the aviation industry, noting European advancements and befriending aviator Charles Lindbergh. His newspaper columns emphasized the benefits of aviation, shaping public opinion on this mode of transportation.
1926: European tour and advocacy for isolationism
In 1926, Will Rogers embarked on a European tour financed by The Saturday Evening Post, meeting various international figures. His articles from the trip reflected fears of another European war and recommended that the United States focus on domestic issues, advocating for isolationism.
1926: Daily Column
Will Rogers' column started appearing daily in newspapers across the country in 1926, reaching millions of readers.
1927: Final Silent Films and Travelogue
Will Rogers made his final two silent feature films and a travelogue series in 1927. He would not return to the screen until the advent of "talkies" in 1929.
1928: Support for Charles Curtis
During the 1928 Republican Convention, Rogers welcomed Charles Curtis's vice-presidential nomination.
1928: Mock Presidential Campaign
Rogers ran a mock presidential campaign in 1928 as the "bunkless candidate" of the Anti-Bunk Party.
1928: Lecture Tour Concludes
Will Rogers concluded his extensive U.S. lecture tour around 1928.
1929: Radio Broadcasts Begin
Will Rogers started his radio broadcasts for the Gulf Oil Company in 1929.
1929: Return to Film with Talkies
Will Rogers returned to filmmaking in 1929 with the advent of sound in movies. This marked a significant turning point in his career, as the "talkies" allowed him to fully utilize his verbal wit and humor.
1929: First Sound Film: "They Had to See Paris"
In 1929, Will Rogers starred in his first sound film, "They Had to See Paris". This marked a significant milestone in his career, as the new technology allowed him to showcase his verbal humor and solidify his position as a major film star.
1931: Performance Tour in Asia
In 1931, Will Rogers traveled to Asia for a performance tour.
1932: Support for Franklin D. Roosevelt
In 1932, Will Rogers supported Franklin D. Roosevelt for president.
1933: Will Rogers' Acting Career
In 1933, Will Rogers starred in films such as "State Fair" as a farmer and "Dr. Bull" as a doctor.
1934: Film Collaborations
During 1934, Will Rogers collaborated with Stepin Fetchit in films like "David Harum" and "Judge Priest".
1934: Will Rogers' Acting Career
In 1934, Will Rogers took on roles such as a banker in "David Harum" and a politician in "Judge Priest".
1934: World Tour and Stage Play
Rogers completed a world tour in 1934 and starred in Eugene O'Neill's "Ah, Wilderness!".
August 15, 1935: Death of Will Rogers
On August 15, 1935, Will Rogers died in a plane crash in northern Alaska along with aviator Wiley Post. At the time of his death, he was one of Hollywood's highest paid film stars.
August 21, 1935: Death of Will Rogers and Wiley Post
On August 21, 1935, Will Rogers and aviator Wiley Post died in a plane crash near Point Barrow, Alaska. The aircraft's engine failed during takeoff, resulting in a fatal crash. Rogers was temporarily buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, California, before his reinterment in Oklahoma.
1935: Column and Legacy
By 1935, Rogers' columns, appearances, and broadcasts had cemented his place as a beloved humorist.
1935: Radio Show with Alarm Clock
By 1935, Rogers' radio show, "Will Rogers and his Famous Alarm Clock," was a popular program.
1935: Evolution and societal commentary in films
By 1935, Will Rogers had transitioned from playing simple cowboy roles in films to exploring societal themes such as class competition due to economic pressures. His films reflected a desire to maintain a connection to a more comprehensible past during turbulent times.
1935: Film Collaborations
In 1935, Rogers continued working with Stepin Fetchit on "Steamboat Round the Bend" and "The County Chairman".
1935: Film Role Declined and Alaska Plans
In 1935, Rogers declined a film role and planned a flight to Alaska with Wiley Post.
1935: Collaboration with Wiley Post
In 1935, Will Rogers often visited famed aviator Wiley Post at the Burbank airport while Post modified an aircraft for a survey mission. Rogers requested Post to fly him to Alaska for new material for his newspaper column, showcasing his adventurous spirit and dedication to his career.
1935: Newspaper Column End
In 1935, Will Rogers' newspaper column ended its run.
1935: Will Rogers' Acting Career
Will Rogers appeared in films like "County Chairman," "Steamboat Round the Bend," and "In Old Kentucky" in 1935.
1935: Legacy as Humorist-Philosopher
By 1935, Rogers was recognized as a humorist-philosopher who championed the common man.
1936: Establishment of Will Rogers Memorial Center
In 1936, the Will Rogers Memorial Center was constructed in Fort Worth, Texas. This establishment served to honor Rogers's legacy and preserve his memory within the community.
May 19, 1944: Re-interment at Will Rogers Memorial
On May 19, 1944, Will Rogers's body was moved from a temporary vault in Glendale, California, to his final resting place at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma. His wife Betty was also interred there later that year.
1944: Betty Blake's Passing
Will Rogers' wife, Betty Blake, passed away in 1944.
1944: Final resting place at Will Rogers Memorial
In 1944, Will Rogers's remains were moved from a holding vault in California to the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore, Oklahoma. This marked the final resting place for Rogers, who was joined by his wife Betty later that year.
1947: Will Rogers honored with a college football bowl game
In 1947, a college football bowl game was named in honor of Will Rogers. However, the event was short-lived and only took place for one year before it was discontinued.
November 4, 1948: Commemoration with Postage Stamp
On November 4, 1948, the United States Post Office honored Will Rogers by issuing a three-cent postage stamp featuring his likeness.
February 16, 1950: Dedication of Riding into the Sunset memorial
On February 16, 1950, a casting of the statue Riding into the Sunset was dedicated at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, by Amon G. Carter, a longtime friend of Will Rogers. This memorial stands as a tribute to Rogers's enduring legacy.
1966: Launch of USS Will Rogers
In 1966, the final ship of the Benjamin Franklin-class submarines, named USS Will Rogers (SSBN-659), was launched, marking a tribute to Will Rogers.
1972: Television Film of Will Rogers' USA
In 1972, James Whitmore portrayed Will Rogers in a television film adaptation of the one-man play Will Rogers' USA, bringing Rogers' wit and commentary to a wider audience.
1974: Broadway Run of Will Rogers' USA
In 1974, the one-man play Will Rogers' USA, featuring James Whitmore, had a limited run on Broadway, showcasing Will Rogers' timeless humor and observations.
1976: Depiction in Historical Artwork
In 1976, Will Rogers was depicted in the artwork Our Nation's 200th Birthday, The Telephone's 100th Birthday by Stanley Meltzoff for Bell System, celebrating his historical significance.
1979: Performing Arts Stamp Issue
In 1979, the United States Postal Service issued a 15-cent stamp featuring Will Rogers as part of the Performing Arts series, recognizing his contributions to the arts.
1980: Publication of Roach's Psychological Assessment
In 1980, Roach published a sociological-psychological assessment of the relationship between Will and his father, Clement, during Will's childhood and teenage years. The assessment explored the personality clash between father and son and the impact of Mary Rogers's death on their relationship.
1991: The Will Rogers Follies Musical
In 1991, the Tony Award-winning musical The Will Rogers Follies premiered on Broadway, starring Keith Carradine, celebrating the life and legacy of Will Rogers.
November 4, 2019: Google Doodle for 140th Birthday
On November 4, 2019, Google commemorated the 140th birthday of Will Rogers with a Google Doodle, highlighting his enduring impact and legacy.