This biopic chronicles the life of cowboy comedian Will Rogers (Will Rogers Jr.). After leaving Oklahoma to join the rodeo and marry his childhood sweetheart, Betty (Jane Wyman), Rogers is invited to perform in New York City. Billed as a rope-trick artist, Rogers quickly becomes more celebrated for his humorous onstage banter than for his skills with the lariat. As his fame grows, movie roles come his way. But when the Great Depression hits, he uses his surprise success to do some good.