Trivia

A friend, and frequent critic, of several U.S. Presidents, Rogers once visited Warren G. Harding (1865-1923, President 1921-1923) and said, "'Morning, Mr. President! Would you like to hear the latest political jokes?" Harding replied, "You don't have to, Will. I appointed them."

As host of the 1933 Academy Awards ceremony, he made a minor blunder when announcing the Best Director Award. After reading the nominees he told the winner, "Come and get it, Frank!" Frank Capra (nominated for Lady for a Day (1933)) was halfway to the podium before he realized Rogers meant Frank Lloyd (winner for Cavalcade (1933)). Capra could well afford to lick his wounds: He won the following year for It Happened One Night (1934) and became Academy President the year after that.

Died in the Arctic crash of a plane piloted by the world-renowned, one-eyed pioneer aviator, Wiley Post (in which Post died as well).

Was portrayed by his son, Will Rogers Jr., in the movie, The Story of Will Rogers (1952).

He was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6608 Hollywood Boulevard and for Motion Pictures at 6401 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

In 1922 his weekly articles for the "New York Times" became so popular that they appeared in more than 500 U.S. newspapers daily. The articles dished out down-to-earth, biting criticism of politics, politicians, big business and the imbalance of the wealthy and the poor. In all, Rogers wrote more than 2,800 daily articles up until his death. H.L. Mencken labeled him "the most dangerous man alive" because of the power his comments had on an adoring public.

Rogers had four children with wife, Betty. They were: Fred (died 1920), Mary (died 1989), Will Rogers Jr. (died 1993) and Jimmy Rogers (died 2000).

His birthplace in the Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) is cited variously as Colagah, Colgah or Cologah. The correct name is "Oologah", which is situated in the northeast corner of the state, approximately 25 miles/40 kilometers north-northeast of Tulsa.

Was part Cherokee Indian.

Buried in Claremore, Oklahoma, at the Will Rogers Memorial. There's a lot of memorabilia, and it's a popular tourist attraction.

Served as Honorary Mayor of Beverly Hills, California, from 1926-1928.

Pictured on a 15¢ US commemorative postage stamp in the Performing Arts and Artists series, 4 November 1979.

Has a turnpike named in his honor. The Will Rogers Turnpike is in northeast Oklahoma running from just outside of Tulsa, through Will's hometown of Claremore to the Missouri state line.

Inducted into The National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum Hall of Fame in 2011.

While growing up on the family ranch, he worked with cattle and learned to ride and lasso from a young age. He grew so talented with a rope, in fact, that he was placed in the Guinness Book of World Records for throwing three lassos at once. One went around the horse's neck, another circled around the rider, and the third flew under the horse, looping all four legs together.

Pictured on a 3¢ US postage stamp in the Famous Americans series, issued 4 November 1948.

Attended Kemper Military School & College in Boonville, Missouri.

Made his last public appearance on the stage of the California Theater in San Bernardino, CA. A small bronze plaque on the wall of the theater's entrance commemorates that appearance, stating, "On August 15, 1935, Will Rogers made his last public appearance on the stage of this theater." It is there to this day.

On November 4, 2019, he was honored with a Google Doodle.

He was 44 when he made his first silent.

Charter member of the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1955.

Spent part of his childhood in the Dakotas in the 1880's.

He began as a stage actor.

His first professional part was in Romeo and Juliet.

Cousin of Clu Gulager.

He was a star in the Ziegfeld Follies beginning in 1916, performing rope tricks and being a "cowboy".