Full Name: William Penn Adair Rogers
Born: November 4, 1879 in Claremore, Indian Territory
Died: August 15, 1935, Point Barrow, Alaska

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Will Rogers was born on a large ranch in the Cherokee Nation (which is now Oologah, Oklahoma). He worked with cattle on his family ranch from an early age.

While working with the longhorn, he learned to rope. He was placed in the Guiness Book of World Records for throwing three lassos at once. The first went around the horse's neck, the second around the rider, and the last rope went under the horse to loop all four legs together.

Rogers attended Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri from 1897 to 1898, dropping out in the 10th grade to become a cowboy.

Although he always regretted quitting school, he never quit learning. He loved to read, think and talk to people.

Rogers was a Broadway and film star, he wrote more than 4,000 syndicated columns in his lifetime, and a radio commentator. He was also the first and only honorary mayor of Beverly Hills in 1925.

He was married to Betty and they had three children: Will Rogers, Jr. (1911-1993); Mary Rogers (1913-1989); Jim Rogers (1915-); Fred Rogers (died in infancy).

Rogers also loved flying. However on a flight to Alaska in 1935, the plane crashed and all on board lost their lives.

Will Rogers is still today one of America's most respected and beloved humorists. His legacy lives on in the Will Rogers Institute, which does lung disease research. The Will Rogers Memorial Museum can be visited in Claremore, Oklahoma, and the Will Rogers Dog Iron Ranch & Birthplace Home may be visited 365 days a year in Oologah, Oklahoma.

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