Wayne Rogers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wayne Rogers
Rogers as Trapper in M*A*S*H, 1972
Born	William Wayne McMillan Rogers III (1933-04-07)April 7, 1933 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Died	December 31, 2015(2015-12-31) (aged 82) Los Angeles, California
Alma mater	Princeton University, 1954
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1954–1956
Rank	Ensign
Unit	USS Denebola, navigator
Battles/wars	Korean War Cold War
Occupation	Actor, investor, television personality
Years active	1959–2014
Spouse(s)	Mitzi McWhorter ​ ​ (m. 1960; div. 1983)​ Amy Hirsh ​ (m. 1988)​
Children	2

William Wayne McMillan Rogers III (April 7, 1933 – December 31, 2015) was an American actor. He was best known for playing Captain "Trapper" John McIntyre. This role was in the CBS TV show M*A*S*H. He also played Dr. Charley Michaels on House Calls from 1979 to 1982.

Besides acting, Wayne Rogers was a very successful investor. He was an expert in money management. He often appeared on the Fox News Channel show Cashin' In. There, he shared his ideas about investing in the stock market. Rogers also studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City.

Early Life and Education

Wayne Rogers was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He went to Ramsay High School there. Later, he attended the Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. In 1954, he graduated from Princeton University with a degree in history. He was part of the Princeton Triangle Club and the eating club Tiger Inn.

After college, Rogers joined the United States Navy. He served as an officer and a navigator on the USS Denebola. He had planned to go to Harvard Law School. However, he decided to become an actor instead.

Acting Career Highlights

Wayne Rogers had a long and varied acting career. He appeared in many TV shows and movies.

Starting His Acting Journey

Rogers started his career with roles in TV dramas and sitcoms. These included The Invaders, The F.B.I., and Gunsmoke. He also had a small part in the 1967 movie Cool Hand Luke. In 1959, he played Slim Davis on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow. He also appeared in Odds Against Tomorrow, a film nominated for a Golden Globe Award. From 1960 to 1961, Rogers co-starred in the western series Stagecoach West.

Becoming Trapper John in M*A*S*H

When Rogers was offered a role in M*A*S*H, he first wanted to try out for Hawkeye Pierce. But he found Hawkeye too negative. So, he chose to audition for Trapper John, who seemed more positive. Rogers was told that Trapper and Hawkeye would be equally important. However, Alan Alda was cast as Hawkeye and became very popular. Rogers enjoyed working with Alda and the cast. They became good friends. But he felt the writers gave the best scenes to Alda.

In one episode, Hawkeye was made a heart surgeon. This upset Rogers because Trapper was the only heart surgeon in the original book and movie. Rogers felt his character's skills were taken away. On a 2002 M*A*S*H reunion show, Rogers explained the difference between the characters. He said Trapper was "a little more impulsive" than Hawkeye. Rogers left the show after three seasons due to a disagreement over his contract.

After M*A*S*H: New Roles

After M*A*S*H, Rogers continued acting. He played an FBI agent in the 1975 TV movie Attack on Terror: The FBI vs. the Ku Klux Klan. He also starred in the detective series City of Angels. From 1979 to 1982, he starred in the CBS series House Calls. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for this role.

Rogers also appeared five times on Murder, She Wrote. He worked as a producer and director for TV and movies. In 1985, he played Colonel Tony Nelson in I Dream of Jeannie... Fifteen Years Later. This was a reunion movie based on the old TV show. He took over the role because the original actor, Larry Hagman, was not available. In 1990, he co-starred in Miracle Landing. This TV movie was based on the true story of a plane crash.

Financial Career and Business

Wayne Rogers became very successful in the world of finance. He started investing in stocks and real estate while he was still on M*A*A*S*H. He became a skilled money manager and investor.

In 1988 and 1990, he spoke to the United States House Committee on the Judiciary. He was an expert witness, supporting banking laws from 1933. He was a regular guest on the Fox Business Network show Cashin' In. This show talks about stock investments. In 2006, Rogers joined the board of directors for Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.. This company makes electronic parts. He also led his own investment company, Wayne Rogers & Co. In 2012, he became the spokesperson for Senior Home Loans, a company that helps people with reverse mortgages.

Awards and Recognition

In 2005, Wayne Rogers received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This is a special honor for people in entertainment.

Personal Life and Passing

Wayne Rogers met actress Mitzi McWhorter in New York in the late 1950s. They married in 1960 and had two children. They divorced in 1983. In 1988, Rogers married his second wife, Amy Hirsh.

In 2001, Rogers made Destin, Florida, his home.

Wayne Rogers passed away on December 31, 2015. He was 82 years old. He died in Los Angeles, California, from problems related to pneumonia. He passed away exactly one year before his M*A*S*H co-star William Christopher.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Wayne Rogers para niños