Charles 'Buddy' Rogers

Biography

Charles Edward Rogers, known to audiences as Buddy Rogers, was an American film actor and musician whose fame crested in the late 1920s and early 1930s, when studio publicity billed him as America's Boyfriend. He grew up in Olathe, Kansas, attended the University of Kansas, and broke into Hollywood movies in the middle of that decade. His best-remembered screen performance came opposite Clara Bow in Wings (1927), the Academy Award winner that became the first Best Picture honoree. A trombonist who could handle several instruments, he led his own dance band on radio and in films, and from 1930 to 1938 he made records for Columbia, Victor and Vocalion. He took over the Joe Haymes orchestra in the mid-1930s, adding drummer Gene Krupa. Later he appeared as himself in a 1968 Petticoat Junction episode. His honors included a Hollywood Walk of Fame star and, in 1986, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. He died in 1999.

94years old at death

Born August 13, 1904Olathe
Died April 21, 1999Rancho Mirage
Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22
Also credited as Charles Edward Rogers and Buddy Rogers

Movie Career

Films: 3
Career span: 21 years1927 to 1948

Every film, newest first

1948An Innocent AffairIMDb rating 6.1
1927My Best GirlIMDb rating 7.4
1927WingsIMDb rating 7.5

Genres

Did you know?!

A first
Rogers's best-remembered performance was opposite Clara Bow in the 1927 film Wings, which became the first movie ever honored as Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
A change of course
In 1933-34, Rogers took charge of the popular Joe Haymes orchestra, and he brought drummer Gene Krupa into the group.
Beyond film
Rogers was a talented trombonist who was skilled on several other musical instruments. He performed with his own dance band on radio and in motion pictures.
A change of course
During World War II, Rogers served in the United States Navy, where his role was that of a flight training instructor.