Special Sub-Topic: Some of My Favorite Cowboys Click Here To Play: Some of My Favorite Cowboys

Which American actor played in multiple, Italian-made westerns as a character often known as "The man with no name"?

Clint Eastwood. This term was used in reference to Clint Eastwood's portrayal in several 1960's westerns. These Italian made movies are popularly known as spaghetti westerns. Some of these movies included "A Fist Full of Dollars" (1964), "For a Few Dollars More" (1965) and "The Good the Bad and the Ugly" (1966). These movies were wildly popular in Europe and in American and made Clint Eastwood a superstar. While, Eastwood went on to a long career both in acting and directing, there are many western fans who consider these to be his greatest works.

Which award winning actor won an Academy Award for his role in the 1952 western "High Noon"?

Gary Cooper. Gary Cooper was one of America's favorite actors, usually playing the hero role in his movies. His quiet persona and smooth performances led to his popularity in many western movies. Born in Montana in 1901, he grew up in the real cowboy country of the early 20th century U.S. Some of his other great westerns included "The Hanging Tree" (1959), "The Virginian" (1929) and "The Plainsman" (1936).

Which of the following actors won an Academy Award for his role in the 1965 comedy/western "Cat Ballou"?

Lee Marvin. Lee Marvin was a striking figure. His height, his rumbling voice and prematurely gray hair helped him stand out. Marvin starred in several outstanding westerns including "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962), "Paint Your Wagon (1962), and "The Comancheros" (1961).

Which of these men, who starred in over 300 silent movies, is considered by many to be the original movie cowboy?

Tom Mix. One of Hollywood's biggest stars, Tom Mix was the original cowboy star. All but nine of his movies were from silent movie era (1910-1935). Mix was known for doing all his own stunts and his amazing skill with horses. His screen roles impacted generations of cowboy actors.

Which hard-faced actor played in many westerns, including the role of Sam Houston in the 1960 movie "The Alamo"?

Richard Boone. Richard Boone's strong presence made him a successful actor in many films, including westerns. While certainly not a handsome man, his masculine looks enabled him to play both the hero and the outlaw. He played cowboy roles on television as well as on the silver screen. Some of his movies included "Hombre" (1967), "Big Jake" (1971), and "The Man Without a Star" (1955).

Which American actor made use of his striking eyes and angular face to make a career for himself by playing villains in multiple western movies, such as "High Noon" and "The Good the Bad and the Ugly"?

Lee Van Cleef. Lee Van Cleef played the villain in many major western movies. His smooth talk, raw masculinity, and penetrating good looks helped him secure roles for over 30 years. His first movie role was as the villain in the award winning western "High Noon", with Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly.

Which of these western movies did NOT feature actor Jimmy Stewart?

El Dorado. Considered by many to be one of Hollywood's greatest actors, Jimmy Stewart made many westerns. He starred in all of the options listed except "El Dorado" (1966). In "The Shootist" he played an aging small town doctor, and in "Destry Rides Again" (1939) he played a young idealistic deputy. In the 1955 western "The Man From Laramie" he played an outsider accidently drawn into the happenings of a small town. These three roles were just a few examples of ability to play many different characters. This Academy Award winning actor generally played the hero as opposed to the villain. He co-starred with almost every major western movie star in the 20th century.

Which one of these men was known as "The Singing Cowboy"?

Gene Autry. Gene Autry was an entertainer who performed on the radio, on television and in the movies. For many years, this cowboy's movies were among the most profitable movies being made. Known for his musical skills and his smooth voice', he starred in almost 100 musical westerns and was the winner of numerous awards.

Often playing the villain or the town drunk, which of these western actors was obviously blind in one eye?

Jack Elam. Jack Elam's unusual appearance, as well as his acting skills, led to roles in close to 100 movies. Jack Elam had a 40 year career that included roles in "High Noon" (1952), "The Man From Laramie" (1955) and "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968). He also starred in many comedic westerns. In 1994, Elam was inducted into the prestigious Hall of Great Western Performers and starred in at least one movie with almost every great cowboy star from the 20th century.

No quiz about movie cowboys would be complete without a question on John Wayne. That being said, what is the only movie for which he won an Academy Award?

True Grit. Known for his tough-guy roles, John Wayne was nominated three times for an Academy Award. He won in 1969 for the movie "True Grit", for his portrayal of the cantankerous character, Marshal Rooster Cogburn. In this movie he played a hard-drinking old lawman who had hired out to a young girl to help her search for the man who murdered her father. His long list of movie roles also earned him a place in the Hall of Great Western Performers, as well as the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.