Matinee Classics - Wayne Rogers Biography & Filmography

Wayne Rogers ACTOR

PHOTOS

WAYNE ROGERS BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Wayne Rogers was born on April 7th, 1933 in Birmingham, Alabama with the birth name William Wayne McMillan Rogers III. After graduating from Ramsey High School, he enrolled at Princeton where he earned a history degree in 1954. Rogers then decided to join the United States Navy and it was during his time of service that he first developed an interest in acting when he became involved with the theater.

Upon completing his military service, Rogers decided he would give a career in acting a try. He began with educating himself in the art by studying with Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse and then began working as a stage actor in such productions as, "Bus Stop" and "No Time for Sergeants".

Rogers then did some small film roles on such features as, "Odds Against Tomorrow" (1959), "The Glory Guys" (1965) and "Cool Hand Luke" (1967) starring Paul Newman, George Kennedy and Strother Martin among many other stars. In addition to film, some of his early television credits included appearances on, "Stagecoach West" (1960), "Johnny Ringo" (1960), "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" (1962), "The Great Adventure" (1963), "Death Valley Days" (1965), "Gunsmoke" (1959-1965), "The Fugitive" (1966), "Combat" (1966) and "Twelve O'Clock High" (1966).

He was given his big break in the industry when he was cast on the series, "M*A*S*H" (1972) co-starring with Alan Alda and Harry Morgan, which finally sent his career in the right direction. He stayed for three seasons and then left, becoming unhappy with the way his character was being portrayed. When he was no longer a member of the cast, he found numerous roles in television movies and series.

Some of his television movie roles included, "Having Babies II" (1977), "It Happened One Christmas" (1977), "Top of the Hill" (1980), "The Lady From Yesterday" (1985), "One Terrific Guy" (1986), "Bluegrass" (1988) and "Miracle Dogs" (2003).

He also maintained working in films on such features as, "House Calls" (1979), "Once in Paris…" (1978), "The Hot Touch" (1981), "The Gig" (1985) and "The Killing Time" (1987). His final roles were in the films, "Frozen with Fear" (2001), "Three Days of Rain" (2002) and "Nobody Knows Anything!" (2003).

Rogers then chose to retire from acting and became a businessman and investor. He is the chairman of the Board and co-owner of Kleinfeld Wedding Emporium. He is also the Chairman and President of Wayne Rogers & Co, a stock trading investment corporation.

Due to his successful business career as an investor and advisor for money management, he is a regular panel member on the Fox News Channel stock program, "Cashin' In".

He is currently married to his second wife, Amy H. Rogers as of 1988. Prior to this marriage he has two children from his relationship with his first wife, Mitzi McWhorter whom he was married to from 1960 through 1983. He owns homes in Los Angeles, California, Florida and Deer valley, Utah.

In 2005, Wayne Rogers was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contribution to the Television industry.