+ William Penn Adair "Will" Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935) was an American cowboy, vaudeville performer, humorist, social commentator and motion picture actor. He was one of the world's best-known celebrities in the 1920s and 1930s. Known as "Oklahoma's Favorite Son," Rogers was born to a prominent Cherokee Nation family in Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma). He traveled around the world three times, made 71 movies (50 silent films and 21 "talkies"), wrote more than 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns, and became a world-famous figure. By the mid-1930s, the American people adored Rogers. He was the leading political wit of the Progressive Era, and was the top-paid Hollywood movie star at the time. Rogers died in 1935 with aviator Wiley Post, when their small airplane crashed in Alaska. Rogers' vaudeville rope act led to success in the Ziegfeld Follies, which in turn led to the first of his many movie contracts. His 1920s syndicated newspaper column and his radio appearances increased his visibility and popularity. Rogers crusaded for aviation expansion, and provided Americans with first-hand accounts of his world travels. His earthy anecdotes and folksy style allowed him to poke fun at gangsters, prohibition, politicians, government programs, and a host of other controversial topics in a way that was appreciated by a national audience, with no one offended. His aphorisms, couched in humorous terms, were widely quoted: "I am not a member of an organized political party. I am a Democrat." Another widely quoted Will Rogers comment was "I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts." Rogers even provided an epigram on his most famous epigram: When I die, my epitaph, or whatever you call those signs on gravestones, is going to read: "I joked about every prominent man of my time, but I never met a man I dident [sic] like." I am so proud of that, I can hardly wait to die so it can be carved. Click here to read more about Will Rogers
- Radio Shows
- Comments
- Photos
Please enjoy these 7 old time radio episodes:
Air Date | Title | Synopsis | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
05.01.1935 | mothers day |
+ Oklahoma philosopher Will Rogers performs his own natural stand-up comedy with his thoughts on Mot... | |
N/A | all i know is what i read in the papers |
+ Oklahoma philosopher Will Rogers insights in to what he has read in the newspapers. This recordin... | |
N/A | bacon and beans and limousines |
+ Probably Will Rogers's most famous radio talk was Bacon and Beans and Limousines, a piece he was a... | |
N/A | henry ford for president |
+ Henry Ford was a good friend of Will Rogers and here he nominates him for President. He says, “T... | |
N/A | plans just dont work |
+ Oklahoma philosopher Will Rogers plays to a live audience his gentle humorous insights on plans. | |
N/A | the pilgrims and taxes |
+ Philosopher raconteur Will Rogers gives his own blend of stand-up comedy with his view on pilgrims... | |
N/A | will rogers nominates henry ford for president 1923 |
+ Will Rogers Nominates Henry Ford For President 1923. |
WILL ROGERS
Leave a comment