Roger's remarkable journey in the entertainment industry began with his nomination for "Outstanding Lead Actor" in a short film at the 2022/23 Rome International Film Festival in Rome and the World Independent Cinema Festival in Edinburgh.
Growing up on a small farm near Blissfield, Michigan, Roger's early life was marked by a strong sense of community. However, it was during his college years that he discovered his true passion for acting. While studying to become a minister, Roger took acting classes and performed in college productions to hone his preaching skills. By the time he reached his senior year, acting had become his ultimate calling.
Despite his passion for acting, Roger's initial career path took a different turn. He graduated from college without sufficient funds and decided to teach English at a rural high school in central Ohio instead of pursuing acting in New York. During his time at the high school, Roger performed a monologue for a theatre professor at Denison University, renowned for its Theatre Department. Although the professor's feedback was discouraging, Roger continued to teach English at the high school and later at Ohio State University while earning his Master's degree in English and American Literature.
Roger's life took a dramatic turn when he decided to live with a family and care for their disabled grandfather, who was suffering from multiple sclerosis. One summer, he drove the grandfather to a wedding in Syracuse, New York, where he was invited to sing at the reception. On the spur of the moment, Roger stood up and sang "I Could Have Danced All Night" and then "Ole Man River." The audience's enthusiastic applause led him to joke that those were the only two songs he knew. This unexpected performance caught the attention of a Vice President at Compton Advertising, who encouraged Roger to pursue a career as a singer in New York.
Roger's big break came when he was cast in the First National Tour of the musical "Mame" just a few months later. He then went on to work as an actor/singer almost non-stop for the next three years, followed by a stint as the juvenile lead in the hit Broadway Musical "No, No, Nanette," which earned him a Theatre World Award. He also played the leading man in the Broadway Musical "5 O'Clock Girl."
Throughout his career, Roger has accumulated an impressive list of credits, including 17 films, 16 TV shows, and 21 theatre productions. He has also made numerous appearances on Conan O'Brien's show and has performed on the "Late Show with David Letterman" a total of 22 times, often playing the role of Presidents and CEOs of major corporations.
