Will Rogers
+ ways to help Los Angeles!
Due to the devastation happening in Los Angeles this week, I’m taking the time to share a bit about LA’s history every day on TikTok. Unfortunately, the app doesn’t allow you to link so please find some history as well as direct resources if you are currently affected and other ways to help below.
"I never met a man I didn't like”
William Penn Adair Rogers was a famous humorist, vaudeville performer and actor in the 1920s and 30s. He was born November 4th 1879 (shoutout scorpio) to two part Cherokee parents on Native American territory near Oologah, Oklahoma.
His childhood was spent on his parents’ ranch where he developed a true passion for horseback riding and the great outdoors. Throughout his life, as you’ll come to learn, he held onto this extreme love for adventure and playfulness. He was commonly known to make up words and sayings, all of which were appreciated by the community.
Following his schooling, Rogers moved out West to work on several ranches prior to coming back to Oolagah and minding his family’s cattle on the ranch. Let’s just say, Rogers much preferred riding the horses and the art of roping over tackling the cattle work so he departed on an international journey… This trip changed his life. While in South Africa, he got a job working with ropes in a Wild West show and then went onto working with the Wirth Brothers circus. When he came home, he was certain he wouldn’t be working with his family’s cattle ever again so he set out for New York where he’d soon gain extreme fame by performing in the Ziegfeld Follies.
While in New York he developed a vaudeville act featuring silent roping with his horse. With his rise fame, Rogers, also known as Oklahoma’s Favorite Son, toured across the country and finally settled in California to be near the movie business. During this busy time, he also got married to Betty Blake whom he had met in Oologah, and began acting in movies.
As if that wasn’t enough, Rogers began writing for the public. He published two short books of “Rogers-isms”, many about prohibition and began a weeky column for the New York paper, "Will Rogers Says". By the time of his death, he had written more than 4000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns. He also appeared on one of the first radio shows which soon became known as "Will Rogers and his Famous Alarm Clock" because he was such a rambler that he needed a physical wind up alarm clock by his side to make sure he wouldn’t be cut off mid-sentence.
Rogers’ humor was truly appreciated by all - it allowed him to poke fun at different groups and grapple controversial topics because of his positive and goofy nature. He was booked up constantly with speaking engagements, giving speeches to anyone from politicians to businessmen to the everyday people.
A democrat, but regarded as apolitical, Rogers was extremely involved in politics and giving back to the country. He was a goodwill ambassador and volunteered frequently, even going on a fundraising tour for the Red Cross during the Great Depression. He ran for president, as a gag, declared victory (self-proclaimed) and resigned on Election Day. He was even appointed as the mayor of Beverly Hills for 48 hours from December 21st to the 23rd 1926!
Asked what issues would motivate voters? Prohibition: "What's on your hip is bound to be on your mind"
Asked if there should be presidential debates? Yes: "Joint debate—in any joint you name"
His rise to fame not only allowed for Rogers to speak his mind freely but also to travel the world. So much so that he managed to travel around the world 3 times before his untimely death in the 1930s! He gave the common American access to world travels when it wasn’t as common with his firsthand accounts through his writing, appearances, and radio shows.
During his travels, Rogers fell in love with aviation and even befriended Charles Lindbergh, the most famous American aviator to date. He helped shape public opinion about aviation advancements abroad and what these would do to the United States if they were also implemented. Unfortunately, Rogers’ life was unexpectedly cut short when he passed away in a plane crash in Alaska on August 15th, 1935.
Today
Up until the flames this week, you could still visit Will Rogers’ lovely home in Will Rogers History State Park in Los Angeles. Betty Rogers, his wife, donated to the state of California upon her death in 1944 as long as every year a polo match would be played. The home was located on the most beautiful green lawn and surrounded by stables. I’ve had many birthday parties here, Saturday morning hikes, long strolls with friends and families and more… On January 8th, 2025, the entire structure burnt down leaving only the fireplaces standing.
Resources
Sadly, Will Rogers’ home was not the only home that was affectedly these fires. If you have been impacted, please go onto this regularly updated google doc - it provides information about different shelters, animal boarding, free items, food donations and more. The Infatuation has also compiled a great list of all restaurants helping out during this time. My local pharmacy growing up, Mickey Fine, is also helping people get prescriptions asap.
If you’d like to help Los Angeles and its people, please consider donating to any of the non-profits listed below.
Buy a firefighter a meal! This is SO easy to do, costs $20, and helps the LAFD.
30% of firefighters in LA fighting these fires are incarcerated men. They make $5-10 a day and once their sentence is over, they’re NOT able to become firefighters. It’s quite unbelievable that their heroic acts are not being recompensed once they leave prison.
World Central Kitchen - Jose Andres’ nonprofit is already boots on the ground and is helping provide meals. They’re updated their Instagram constantly so you’ll be able to see where your efforts are going.
Nanny Relief Fund - this foundation really has meant the world to me, I would be no where without my nanny and I can’t imagine having lived through this knowing she was suffering. I called her the day the fires happened and was so relieved to know she was evacuated. Please consider donating to the nannies who lost during the fires.
Wildfire Relief Fund 2025 on GoFundMe - This relief fund sends critical cash grants directly to people who need help recovering from the fire
California Fire Foundation - working with local fire agencies and community-based organizations to provide direct financial support to impacted residents as details of the damage emerge.
California Community Foundation - created in 1915, this organization's Wildfire Recovery Fund targets the most underserved and hard to reach communities in the region
Pasadena Humane - emergency wildfire relief for animals affected in the fire.
The LA Times is regularly updating their site, so check out the resources they recommend as well.
Stay safe everyone! Please comment any other resources you support or recognize below.
Thanks for sharing, I grew up in SFV but didn’t know about this dude. I love WCK and also found Pasadena Humane to help out the sweet animals 🤍