Voting Station

Will Rogers Jr.

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U.S. Congressman

The Resume

    (October 20, 1911-July 9, 1993)
    Born in New York City
    William Van Rogers
    Son of legendary humorist Will Rogers
    Portrayed his father in 'The Story of Will Rogers' (1952)
    Represented California's 16th Congressional district from January 3, 1943 to May 23, 1944 (resigned)
    Served in the Third Army's European campaign under General George Patton during World War II (1944 - 1946)
    Acted in 'Wild Heritage,' 'The Eddie Cantor Story,' 'Schlitz Playhouse of Stars,' 'The Boy From Oklahoma,' 'The Vengeance Trail,' and 'The Jack Rider'
    Committed suicide with a bullet to the head, at the age of 81, after suffering a series of strokes and undergoing a debilitating hip surgery
    Starred in the CBS Radio comedy series 'Rogers of the Gazette' (1953 – 54)

Why he might be annoying:

    He only served seventeen months in Congress.
    He was a rotating 'Death Valley Days' host after Ronald Reagan's departure.
    He was typecast as his father.
    His gig impersonating his famous dad came about at the height of the 'biopic of Vaudeville icons' (starting with Al Jolson).
    He was replaced by Jimmy Dean as the host of CBS' morning show.
    He waged an unsuccessful bid for the Senate in 1946.
    Ironically, he lost in the general to William F. Knowland, who - like him - would commit suicide with a bullet to the head.
    British Foreign correspondent Isaiah Berlin's notes described him as 'a new-comer to the House. Son of a very celebrated father,' 'believes strongly in the Wallace type of internationalism,' 'A trifle callow and politically inexperienced' and being a man of 'fervent ideals' which 'tend to make him critical of the British Empire.'

Why he might not be annoying:

    He managed Harry Truman's Southern California Presidential campaign chapter in 1948.
    He devoted his life to preserving his father's memory after his death in a plane crash, in 1935.
    He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1948, 1952, and 1956.
    He was elected to Congress while serving active duty, and resigned to serve overseas during the War.
    He was among the loudest voices in Washington calling for measures to protect Europe's Jewish population during the War, and belonged to several committees related to the cause.
    He introduced a bill which, if passed, would have established safe havens for Jewish refugees from Europe in nearby neutral countries.
    He was wounded in action while serving as a tank commander, and received a Bronze Star for his bravery.
    He bore a striking physical resemblance to his father, and, like Rogers Sr., was very skilled in the use of a lasso (which he regularly demonstrated to audiences).
    He provided voicework (again as his father) for 'The American Adventure' attraction at Disney's Epcot.
    He served a four-year term as a member of the California State Parks Commission, and served as its chairman for two years (from '62 to '62).
    He was of Cherokee descent, like his father, and served as a special assistant to the Commission on Indian Affairs during the Johnson administration, from '67 to '69.

Credit: BoyWiththeGreenHair


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 17 Votes: 76.47% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 10 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 34 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying