Apparently, I DO take requests. When I wrote R is for Roger, Redux six months ago, Martha asked, “Have you tried using Roger (or Rogers) as a last name? That might be fun too.” Well, I had not. Of course, there are a LOT of them, but here’s the list I thought of:
Non-Fictional:
Fred Rogers (1928-2003) – the beloved host of the children’s program Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Well, popular among most people: here are some local FOX News personalities speculating that his positive message of valuing all people was actually harmful to children. (n.b., I believe these people are nuts.) Personally, I thought the man in the cardigan sweater brought a certain calmness to kids’ lives. HERE he accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 24th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1997. You might be surprised by the number of times I’ve been called Mr. Roger by parents of children I’m acquainted with.
Ginger Rogers (1911-1995), nee Virginia Katherine McMath – the regular dance partner of Fred Astaire. A musical about her life was called Backwards in High Heels, a reference to the quote Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backward and in high heels, which originated in a 1982 Frank and Ernest cartoon by Bob Staves, and popularized by the late former governor of Texas, Ann Richards.
Kenny Rogers (b. 1938) – I first heard Kenny Rogers with a group called The First Edition, singing songs such as But You Know I Love You and Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) [LISTEN]. He then became a country crooner with many hit songs, notably The Gambler, which became the source of a couple of TV movies. He has sold over 68 million albums in the USA alone. Rogers is a 2013 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Marshall Rogers (1950-2007) – though he drew stories with both Marvel and DC Comics, I always most associate him for illustrating the stories Steve Englehart wrote about Batman in Detective Comics. They teamed up to do stories of the Silver Surfer as well.
Mimi Rogers (b. 1956) – actress I know best as the costar of the Geena Davis Show (2000-2001), and who you probably know best as an ex-wife of Tom Cruise. No, I never saw her in X-Files, or Two and a Half Men, or Austin Powers, among her many credits.
Roy Rogers (1911-1998), ne Leonard Slye – the singing cowboy, whose closing theme, Happy Trails To You, was written by his wife, Dale Evans. I own a Sons of the Pioneers CD on which he sings. The very first question I got right when I was on JEOPARDY! I knew because of watching Roy’s show; it was about sidekick Pat Brady. The series featured Roy’s golden palomino, Trigger, and his German Shepherd dog, Bullet, and I watched religiously every Saturday morning on CBS-TV. He was also in over 100 movies, none of which I ever saw. 
He shrewdly had a clause in his 1940 contract with the studio where he would have the right to his likeness, voice and name for merchandising; there was a LOT of Roy Rogers merchandise in the day. Like Kenny Rogers, Roy was also a restaurateur, though not an active participant.
Will Rogers (1879-1935) – an Oklahoma wit full of pithy quotes, who was a cowboy, writer, actor, and radio commentator, giving bipartisan barbs to the politicians. There’s a nice page about him on the PBS website. He died in a plane crash with noted aviator Wiley Post.
Fictional:
Buck Rogers – a 25th-century explorer. Popular on television, though I have no particular memory of it.
Sally Rogers – played by Rose Marie (b. 1923) on the television series Dick Van Dyke Show, she was the female comedy writer on the variety program The Alan Brady Show. Single – except for her cat – and not generally happy about it.
Steve Rogers – in the comic books, scrawny kid not eligible for military service during World War II, but signs up for a secret experience that gives him superior strength. Frozen in a block of ice, he is reanimated in the comic book Avengers #4. In several live-action and animated films.
Note I did NOT use Rodgers, since Rodger is NOT my name, though people have erroneously spelled it that way.
Great write up on the many Rogers. Carver, ABC Wed. Team
So much about Rogers! Great Read!
So many well known personalities.
What a range of Rogers!
I listened religiously to Roy Rogers too.
Love all the Rogers you listed.
Many famous Rogers persons! I know only a few of them!
Have a great week, Roger!
Wil, ABCW Team
A wonderful array of Rogers, – I especially admire Ginger and Will!!
Such a comprehensive account of all the well known people named Rogers. I’m sure I would never have thought of them all. I remember going to see a Roy Rogers movie when I was about six years old. Mostly though, I remember George Gabby Hayes.
No doubt all of them I prefer Ginger Rogers!
great post for Rogers! I saw many a Roy Rogers movie in my childhood, practically every Sat. matinee. however, I did not realize that he’d made that MANY movies! Gabby Hayes co-starred in Roy’s movies; loved that sidekick!
I may be mis-remembering, but didn’t the Madame Xanadu feature turn up in DOORWAY TO NIGHTMARE? When Benday mentioned the Madame Xanadu one-shot it got me curious because I thought I remembered that book. But actually I was thinking of Doorway to Nightmare. Doorway came first and ran for 5 issues. After it was cancelled, the stories intended for ish 6 were published in the Madame Xanadu book. All the Kaluta covers kind of ran together in my mind.
Wow so many famous Rogers! I hardly knew a few. Great post.
Nice list of Rogers. I’m familiar with Ginger and Mimi. Kenny is one of my fave singers. Love his songs!
Thanks so much for your comments on my blog…I always enjoy the stories you do but never knew there were so many Rogers…who knew!!
Great Rogers, Roger. Mr. Rogers is one of my personal heroes. When PBS decided to stop running him – considering some of the tripe they run for children nowadays – I wrote them a chastising letter.
Ginger, Ginger, Ginger. Ever see her in her Oscar-winning performance (drama) in Kitty Foyle? So good.
Love all these Rogers for one reason or another. But I love Green, Roger the best! Amy
roy, kenny and ginger are the ones most well known this side of the pond
I grew up listening to Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. Loved it. Thank you for all the other Rogers too.
that is quite a list….you stand out amongst a very talented group!
Long list indeed! There are not as many artists in the Rivet “family” as in “yours,” which is why I did not use it to illustrate my ABC Wednesday post today. :-)))
The phrase from the Right Stuff sticks out in my mind, “No bucks, no Buck Rogers.” – Margy
Fine piece of work that was very interesting to read. An excellent ‘R’.
A great collection of Rogers. But I have to admit, Mr. Rogers always creeped me out so my kids never watched him! I actually know a man whose first name is Rogers.
I’m familiar with all of them except for Marshall. Great post, Roger, as always.
Leslie
abcw team
Interesting take
Fred, Ginger and Kenny are probably my favorite, but I have enjoyed Roy’s classic works in the past. Thanks for sharing such interesting trivia. Blessings!
Ginger Rogers who can forget her?
Since I don’t know many of these well know Rogers, I always thought Mr. Rogers from Sesame Street did an excellent job! Like you do, Roger:)
From all these Rogers I only know you and Ginger Rogers, lol !
I always thought Mr. Rogers was calming for my children, he made simple things of life so enjoyable.
Ann
I just pictured a dinner party with Fred Rogers, Kenny Rogers, Roy Rogers, Steve Rogers and you and I of course! What a wonderful and interesting evening that would be!
Janis – all men, I see. What about Ginger?
wow. i hardly knew any of them. thanks for sharing this helpful info.
So many interesting Rogers! My brother’s name is Roger and when we were kids we called him Roger Doger, makes me giggle to think about it.
Wonderful list of Rogers, who knew there were so many greats ??
And to think I almost missed this delightful list of Rogers. It’s been a wild ride the last few months and I often find myself dazed and confused. Guess my favorite on the list would have to be Roy. There’s just something about that guy I’ve always loved. We’ve a good collection of movies too. I don’t watch them much but my kids have enjoyed them.
Roger that Roger. Over and out.