Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
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Tahlequah, OK - For Gene McFall, being told that he resembled Will Rogers was all it took to set him on the path to become one of the greatest Will Rogers impersonators of our time. From his first play in the third grade, McFall knew he wanted to be an actor. But acting wasn’t how he began his professional career.

Gene McFall

"In the rural community I grew up in, my family would have had me committed", said McFall. “So I went into teaching." But quitting his job as a basketball coach to go into acting wasn’t easy. "I decided I wasn’t doing what I wanted to do", said McFall. "I had the inclination to do it but like most people I was too tied up to do it."

Once McFall decided it was time, he took a 70 percent pay cut and set out for the acting capitals of Hollywood and New York. "Every actor has to make his pilgrimage to either New York or Hollywood. I did both", said McFall. "If your going to be an actor, at some point in your career you have to take a shot at either Hollywood or New York. After going to New York, I knew that wasn’t where I wanted to be."

McFall's pilgrimage proved successful and he landed spots in such television shows as 'All in the Family', 'Benson', and 'Archie Bunker’s Place'. "As actors we all shoot for national television exposure", said McFall. "Being on the same set with people like Carroll O’Conner was a thrill. It builds confidence. Even though you are one of the peons, you realize that there are thousands of people in Hollywood who would love to do what you are doing."

It was many years before Will Rogers had a permanent spot in McFall’s life, but that doesn’t mean the idea wasn’t there. "At the first acting job I had, some of the older cast members told me I looked like Will Rogers and Will Rogers Jr. I had never been told that before", said McFall. "That gave me the germ of the idea." After seeing James hitmore, who portrayed Will Rogers for 30 years, do his one-man show 'Will Rogers' U.S.A.' on television, McFall decided that was what he would do. "You don't just do a one-man show on your own", said McFall. After gaining acting experience, I contacted Whitmore's people. As an actor, you look for a role that is right for you and you for it. I found that in Will Rogers, physically, vocally, and philosophically." But just because McFall is philosophically in tune with Will Rogers does not mean they are one in the same.

"I'm the type of actor that once I’m off stage I’m Gene McFall. But, I don’t think you can spend 20 years as closely mingled with a character as I did and not let them have some influence in your life", said McFall. "Everything he stood for and believed is not exactly Gene McFall, but I believe in some of the same things he said."

Things like "I never met a man I didn’t like", and "We’re all ignorant on different subjects." But most importantly, McFall hopes to pass along some of Rogers' ideologies.

"I try to point out to kids that it doesn’t matter where you come from", said McFall. Rogers was born on a little ranch in Oolagah, Oklahoma, and he became the highest paid actor of his time. It doesn’t matter if you were born in Podunk, Oklahoma, you can rise above where you come from." That doesn’t mean McFall or Rogers believe people should forget their heritage.

"Rogers was proud of where he came from", said McFall. "I try to instill in the student to be proud of who you are and where you come from. Because no matter where you come from, if you have a dream it is attainable." Practicing what he preaches, McFall is and has attained many of his dreams. Feeling the desire for more creative freedom, McFall left Whitmore’s show after seven years and began his one man show “Witty World of Will Rogers.” As Will Rogers, McFall has appeared in the acclaimed centennial mini-series “Oklahoma Passage." He has also portrayed Rogers at the Energy Centennial with President George H. Bush, National Governors Conference, Chowder and Marching Club at the Congressional Wives Club in Washington, D.C., Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating’s Inaugural Balls, District Judges with Supreme Court Justice Byron White, and the 2001 Tournament of the Roses Parade. In addition to his many acting experiences, McFall and his wife have written three cookbooks and are currently finishing a fourth.

McFall is presently portraying Will Rogers in the 'Trail of Tears Drama' at the Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

The drama begins with Will Rogers, played by McFall, performing at the Ziegfeld Follies, when a technical problem occurs and Rogers begins to tell the story about his ancestors on the Trail Where They Cried. The characters of Will Rogers and Sequoyah, along with animal characters, narrate this famous Cherokee story with wit, folklore, and compassion. "I’m very fond of the drama because it tells a story that needs to be told and it tells it well and entertainingly", said McFall. "It's a tragic story, but still a story of hope."

McFall hopes that after seeing the 'Trail of Tears Drama', visitors will walk away with a better appreciation and understanding of the Cherokee people. "It's a part of American history that isn't really taught. I want people to leave with an awareness of American history they didn’t know before", said McFall. "And maybe a little uplifted in the fact that the Cherokees today are doing as well as they are in spite of what happened to them. And hopefully, people will say, ‘Hey, I enjoyed it. With the music and dancing, the pageantry and color.’"

The 'Trail of Tears Drama' will run through Labor Day weekend every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $7.50 for children and students, and $13.50 for seniors. For more information call the Cherokee Heritage Center, phone: 918-456-6007 or toll free 888-999-6007, and visit the website.