Ziegfeld Follies Rise

Will Rogers joined the cast of Florenz Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolic in 1915, which took place on the roof of the New Amsterdam Theatre after the more tame Follies show below.

He was a hit and by 1917 he was touring with the Follies proper.

He performed alongside Follies stars like Fanny Brice, Bert Williams, and W. C. Fields.

He was a favorite of the Follies girls, known for his respectful treatment of the girls and reputation as a family man.

The Rogers and Ziegfeld families grew close. Ziegfeld hated to lose Rogers to the movies, but bore him no ill will.