View source for Olan Rogers

{{Short description|American comedian (born 1987)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox person
|name         = Olan Rogers
|image        =
|birth_name   = Thomas Olan Rogers
|birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1987|6|11}}
|birth_place  = [[Nashville, Tennessee]], U.S.
|occupation   = Comedian, actor, filmmaker, [[YouTuber]]
|alma_mater   = [[University of Memphis]]
|years_active = 2007–present
|website      =
}}
'''Thomas Olan Rogers''' (born June 11, 1987) is an American comedian, actor, filmmaker,<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4541465/ Olan Rogers]</ref> and [[YouTuber]].<ref name="NashvillePost2015">{{cite web |last1=Boothe |first1=Kelley |title=Above all, stay true |url=https://www.nashvillepost.com/magazine/above-all-stay-true/article_a1e45e1d-5728-5ede-b87c-4bacf0d5be1a.html |website=Nashville Post |access-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923174706if_/https://www.nashvillepost.com/magazine/above-all-stay-true/article_a1e45e1d-5728-5ede-b87c-4bacf0d5be1a.html |archive-date=23 September 2021 |language=en |date=21 June 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> He is the creator of the animated television series ''[[Final Space]]'' as well as the voice of Gary Goodspeed, Mooncake, and various others.
== Career ==
Rogers started his career on [[YouTube]] alongside two [[Collierville High School]] and [[University of Memphis]] friends in the comedy trio ''BalloonShop'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/BalloonShop|title = BalloonShop - YouTube|website = [[YouTube]]}}</ref> known for their comedic sketches and shorts.<ref name="DailyHelmsman">{{cite web |last1=Morrison |first1=Jesse |title=Students find success on YouTube |url=http://www.dailyhelmsman.com/archives/students-find-success-on-youtube/article_1bc9afae-eb50-585e-a6a1-eeb77d6e231e.html |website=The Daily Helmsman |access-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227022347if_/http://www.dailyhelmsman.com/archives/students-find-success-on-youtube/article_1bc9afae-eb50-585e-a6a1-eeb77d6e231e.html |archive-date=27 December 2019 |language=en |date=29 January 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> After transitioning to his solo channel, Rogers uploaded videos of his own sketches as well as humorous stories of his life, short films, and even several animated shorts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/OlanRogers|title=OlanRogers - YouTube|website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
In 2015, after lamenting his inability to meet with fans as often as he liked,<ref>{{cite AV media |date=January 3, 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6jHnqBqNuQ |title=The Soda Parlor / LIFE |publisher=OlanRogers |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222195126/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6jHnqBqNuQ |archive-date=December 22, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rogers opened a lounge called "The Soda Parlor" in Nashville, which offered arcade games and various desserts.<ref name="NashvilePost2016">{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=William |title=Soda Parlor set for October opening on east side |url=https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/retail/soda-parlor-set-for-october-opening-on-east-side/article_1371bbde-d6a1-5c84-9551-917d8272e9f2.html |website=Nashville Post |access-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923173429if_/https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/retail/soda-parlor-set-for-october-opening-on-east-side/article_1371bbde-d6a1-5c84-9551-917d8272e9f2.html |archive-date=23 September 2021 |language=en |date=30 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-soda-parlor-nashville-3|title = The Soda Parlor - Nashville, TN}}</ref> The Parlor was later hit by a tornado in March 2020, and then looted in the aftermath.<ref name="newschannel5">{{cite web|url=https://www.newschannel5.com/news/soda-parlor-owner-says-restaurant-was-looted-after-tornado-hit-five-points/|title=Soda Parlor Owner Says Restaurant Was Looted After Tornado Hit|last=Sutton|first=Caroline|publisher=NewsChannel5|date=March 3, 2020|accessdate=March 3, 2020}}</ref>
His channel reached 1,000,000 subscribers on March 26, 2019, but entered long periods of inactivity, which Olan later explained was a result of coming to terms with numerous personal troubles, including the destruction of the Parlor, and the death of his cat, Starscream.<ref>{{cite AV media |date=September 14, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8o_KJfjD-I |title=Keep Moving |publisher=OlanRogers |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105020726/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8o_KJfjD-I |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== ''Final Space'' ===
In 2016, he created a pilot that became the animated television show, ''[[Final Space]]''. The series followed a rogue astronaut named Gary, and his sidekick, a planet-destroying alien named Mooncake, both of whom Rogers voiced. 10 episodes were released between February and April 2018 on [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|TBS]]. The series was later added to [[Netflix]] overseas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/990673/Final-Space-Netflix-streaming-How-to-watch-Final-Space-online-Olan-Rogers|title=Final Space on Netflix streaming: How to watch Final Space online|date=July 18, 2018}}</ref> A second season was released in 2019 on [[Adult Swim]].<ref name="comicbook">{{cite web|url=http://comicbook.com/2016/12/03/tbs-orders-animated-series-from-youtube-star-olan-rogers-conan-o/|title=TBS Orders Animated Series From Youtube Star Olan Rogers, Conan O'Brien|last=Peters|first=Megan|website=[[ComicBook.com]]|date=December 2, 2016|accessdate=December 2, 2016}}</ref> Season 3 premiered on March 20, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/03/final-space-season-3-review-hbo-max-catchup-1234624886/|title='Final Space' Review: It's Time to Catch Up on One of TV's Animated Sci-Fi Treasures|last=Greene|first=Steve|publisher=[[IndieWire]]|date=March 19, 2021|accessdate=April 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319221125/https://www.indiewire.com/2021/03/final-space-season-3-review-hbo-max-catchup-1234624886/|archive-date=March 19, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Rogers ran the [[social media]] accounts for the show, including the official [[Twitter]] account, calling it a "good opportunity" to connect with fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/final-space-hbo-max-olan-rogers-interview/|title='Final Space' Creator on the Epic Sci-Fi Comedy's HBO Max Premiere, and the "Really Thrilling" Season 3|last=Miller|first=Liz Shannon|publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=March 19, 2021|accessdate=April 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319170800/https://collider.com/final-space-hbo-max-olan-rogers-interview/|archive-date=March 19, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
However, in September of 2022, Rogers revealed that Final Space would be leaving [[Netflix]] internationally in 2023, as part of a group of properties being [[Write-off|written off]] by [[Warner Bros. Discovery]] for tax purposes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/warner-bros-discovery-tax-write-down-recent-content-cancellations-tnt-tbs-dc/|title=Warner Bros. Discovery Takes Major Tax Write-Down Amid Recent Content Cancellations|website=[[ComicBook.com]]}}</ref> Due to this, Season 3 would not be receiving physical copies, and all mention of the show would be erased from the platform. Nevertheless, Olan promised that he would continue fighting for the show to get a proper ending, under the hashtag "#renewfinalspace".<ref>https://twitter.com/OlanRogers/status/1573686640094191617 {{Bare URL inline|date=September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/renew-final-space-olan-rogers-tax-write-off-new-t-shirt/ | title=Final Space Creator Throws Shade at Warner Brothers for Using Canceled Series as Tax Write-off }}</ref> This eventually led to WB offering Olan a one-time license to publish a physical graphic novel for Final Space's ending.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRg6C8mqhTk | title=I CAN FINISH FINAL SPACE!!!! | website=[[YouTube]] }}</ref>
=== ''Godspeed'' and future plans ===
In June 2022, Rogers uploaded a trailer for his next project, an animation titled ''Godspeed'',  turning to Kickstarter to help fund it. The campaign was funded in just two hours, hitting 580% of its original goal.<ref>{{cite web|last=Barnhardt|first=Adam|url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/final-space-last-season-godspeed-kickstarter-campaign/|title=Final Space Creator Launches Kickstarter Campaign for New Show Inspired by Cancelled Adult Swim Hit|website=[[ComicBook.com]]|date=June 15, 2022|access-date=December 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325224840/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/final-space-last-season-godspeed-kickstarter-campaign/|archive-date=March 25, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Valentine|first=Evan|url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/final-space-creator-new-show-record-kickstarter/|title=Final Space Creator to Launch New Show Following Record Kickstarter|website=[[ComicBook.com]]|date=January 10, 2023|access-date=December 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119032659/https://comicbook.com/anime/news/final-space-creator-new-show-record-kickstarter/|archive-date=January 19, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Wallace|first=Lorna|url=https://www.tor.com/2023/02/10/final-space-the-space-opera-series-that-deserves-better/|title=Final Space: The Space Opera Series That Deserves Better|website=[[Tor.com]]|date=February 10, 2023|access-date=December 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521043647/https://www.tor.com/2023/02/10/final-space-the-space-opera-series-that-deserves-better/|archive-date=May 21, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> The official Godspeed website later clarified that after various fees and cuts, the KS money could not fund a full length film, so it would be a single episode instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://godspeedseries.com/|title=Godspeed Series Official Site}}</ref> Production on ''Godspeed'' began on January 9, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|last=Alexa|first=Laurén|url=https://www.awn.com/news/final-space-creator-starts-production-godspeed|title='Final Space' Creator Starts Production on 'Godspeed'|website=[[Animation World Network|AWN]]|date=January 16, 2023|access-date=December 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203041956/https://www.awn.com/news/final-space-creator-starts-production-godspeed|archive-date=February 3, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
The final product featured voice actors such as [[Troy Baker]], [[Claudia Black]], [[Coty Galloway]], and Rogers himself, described positively as having "some potential" and showing "another example of the appetite for independent adult animation."<ref>{{cite web|last=Hartley|first=Edward|url=https://www.toonboom.com/olan-rogers-on-chasing-the-storm-behind-godspeed|title=Olan Rogers on chasing the storm behind Godspeed|website=[[Toon Boom]]|date=December 14, 2023|access-date=December 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215191727/https://www.toonboom.com/olan-rogers-on-chasing-the-storm-behind-godspeed|archive-date=December 15, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Billington|first=Alex|url=https://www.firstshowing.net/2023/first-trailer-for-animated-sci-fi-series-godspeed-from-olan-rogers/|title=Official Trailer for Animated Sci-Fi Short 'Godspeed' from Olan Rogers|website=FirstShowing|date=December 11, 2023|access-date=December 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212042759/https://www.firstshowing.net/2023/first-trailer-for-animated-sci-fi-series-godspeed-from-olan-rogers/|archive-date=December 12, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> It premiered on YouTube on December 15.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sarto|first=Debbie Diamond|url=https://www.awn.com/news/lightfold-shares-olan-rogers-godspeed-trailer|title=Lightfold Shares Olan Rogers' 'Godspeed' Trailer|website=[[Animation World Network|AWN]]|date=December 12, 2023|access-date=December 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213153147/https://www.awn.com/news/lightfold-shares-olan-rogers-godspeed-trailer|archive-date=December 13, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, the ''Final Space'' graphic novel, which concludes his previous series, was also confirmed to release in 2024.<ref>{{cite web|last=Salmon|first=Will|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/cult-adult-swim-animation-final-space-returns-as-a-graphic-novel/|title=Cult Adult Swim animation Final Space returns as a graphic novel|website=Gamesradar|date=April 24, 2023 |access-date=December 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605091336/https://www.gamesradar.com/cult-adult-swim-animation-final-space-returns-as-a-graphic-novel/|archive-date=June 5, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bonomolo|first=Cameron|url=https://comicbook.com/comics/news/final-space-the-final-chapter-graphic-novel-olan-rogers-final-space-season-4/|title=Final Space Creator Olan Rogers Releasing The Final Chapter Graphic Novel|website=[[ComicBook.com]]|date=April 24, 2023|access-date=December 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601080421/https://comicbook.com/comics/news/final-space-the-final-chapter-graphic-novel-olan-rogers-final-space-season-4/|archive-date=June 1, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
Following a rising trend of YouTube's older content creators stepping back from the platform in 2024, Rogers himself announced in February<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78VCrFUtIOU|title=This isn't Goodbye.|website = [[YouTube]]}}</ref> that he would be moving on to other passions outside his usual content range. Rogers' new ventures include a stand-up special in collaboration with Patreon, and a ghost-hunting series called Haunt Hounds with his longtime friend and ''BalloonShop'' co-creator Thomas Gore, as well as Brett Driver and Seth Jackson.
==Filmography==
===Feature films===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|2011
|''New Prime''
| Valavingee / Ferris / Daniels / Zak McSleuthburger / Bob
| Also director, writer, producer, executive producer
|-
|2016
|''[[The Matchbreaker]]''
|Mitchell
|
|-
|}
===Other media===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|2007–2010
|''BalloonShop''
|Himself
|Also director
|-
|2008
|"In a Cave" ([[Tokyo Police Club]])
|Himself
|Music video; also director
|-
|2011
|''[[Annoying Orange]]''
|Meteortron
|1 episode only
|-
|2014
|''As Dreamers Do''
|Walt Disney
|
|-
|2015
|''Oscar's Hotel for Fantastical Creatures''
|Box Death
|
|-
|2016–2017
|''Mr. Student Body President''
|Mr. Bayblock
|
|-
|2017
|''Ear Biscuits''
|Himself
|1 episode only
|-
|2018
|''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]''
|Himself
|1 episode only
|-
|2018–2021
|''[[Final Space]]''
|Gary Goodspeed / Mooncake / Tribore Menendez / Biskit / Additional Voices
|Also creator, director, executive producer
|-
|2023
|''Godspeed''
|Bowie
|Also creator, writer
|-
|2024
|''Haunt Hounds''
|Himself
|Also creator, director, executive producer
|-
|TBA
|''Untitled project with [[Disney+]]''
|
|
|-
|TBA
|''Untitled project with [[Amazon Prime Video]]''
|
|
|-
|}
===Video games===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
|-
|2022
|''Final Space: The Rescue''
|Gary Goodspeed / Mooncake / Tribore Menendez
|}
==References list==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{IMDb name|4541465}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rogers, Olan}}
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:American cartoonists]]
[[Category:American actors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Nashville, Tennessee]]
[[Category:People from Collierville, Tennessee]]
[[Category:YouTubers from Tennessee]]