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Quiz about Famous People Born In 1959 Part 1
Quiz about Famous People Born In 1959 Part 1

Famous People Born In 1959, Part 1 Quiz


'Half A Century Wise' is back for a second year to look at the stars with 50 candles on their birthday cakes in 2009.

A multiple-choice quiz by darksplash. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
darksplash
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
301,749
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
20
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
13 / 20
Plays
1253
- -
Question 1 of 20
1. Some may have mocked his high-waisted trousers, but when it came to picking talent, X marked the spot. Which reality show judge was noted for his frank - some would say downright rude - assessment of the contenders? Hint


Question 2 of 20
2. He was a big bully, not that it did him much good, and the carpool served him little better. Which actor, a former spouse of a wisecracking comedienne, was a three-times winner of 'Golden Raspberry' awards?
Hint


Question 3 of 20
3. It's a good job he didn't suffer from arachnophobia, is all I can say, or life as we know it might have been different. Which actor often had a dilemma of not knowing how to get about, should it be by plane, train or automobile? Hint


Question 4 of 20
4. Look Sharpe if you want to guess this one. Which football-loving actor was a very convincing Bond baddie? Hint


Question 5 of 20
5. Quite possibly she was everybody's all-American, and on the silver screen she was married to an untouchable. She didn't stay six feet under for long, though, emerging to claim two Emmy awards. Which actress was Oscar-nominated for her role as the mother of a dying cancer victim? Hint


Question 6 of 20
6. To his rivals he was known as 'boom boom'. Which 1959-born golfer with a very long drive brought a masterly touch to his game? Hint


Question 7 of 20
7. As a singer and a songwriter she was perfect, but she was also a simple soul who shared the first of a million kisses with her friends. Which Scottish diva was attracted by the fairground? Hint


Question 8 of 20
8. "Been there, shot that, wrote about it", might have been the motto of a certain 1959-born British author. In fact, the motto that he was most familiar with was 'who dares, wins'. Bravo for him, you might think, but as well as writing about heroes, which author was - literally - one himself? Hint


Question 9 of 20
9. When you had eight brothers, there was a lot to live up to. Although she was never in their particular gang, she did get along with one of her siblings. She also showed she could cut it in the music business with a song that was top of the country charts and a top five hit on the Billboard charts. Which chanteuse liked her roses made of paper?
Hint


Question 10 of 20
10. He was born in England and and spent some time playing a member of the idle rich, and he was also a sidekick for a character who was not just a bounder, but a blackadder to boot. Which actor and funnyman then crossed the Atlantic to play a character who showed there was a doctor in the house and he had the cure for all ills?
Hint


Question 11 of 20
11. She made a fortune in the leisure business and then set about helping others make theirs. Which 1959-born entrepreneur could be a dragon with acerbic remarks for some of those who dared enter her den?
Hint


Question 12 of 20
12. It wasn't really a top secret that he was a real genius, in fact he was a saint. Which actor played a rock icon and a dark and broody super hero? Hint


Question 13 of 20
13. He may have been an axe murderer's best friend and the brother of a slightly barmy personal assistant, but which actor did not let those bit parts sink him without a trace? Hint


Question 14 of 20
14. He may have been just one of a few good men, but he took a bullet meant for his boss and still came up asking "what's next?" Which 1959-born actor made a play for another of his bosses, while trying to keep the studio audience happy for 60 minutes each week? Hint


Question 15 of 20
15. This comedian, actress, dancer, singer, became a girl on top, after she was bored of a threesome. Which comedy actress first brought a dysfunctional yellow family into our lives? Hint


Question 16 of 20
16. Comedian, disc jockey, rock star; there were no ends to the talent of this 1959-born Colorado native. They may have been cheap shots, but which star became the butt of many jokes? Hint


Question 17 of 20
17. America had its share of acting dynasties - the Barrymores and the Baldwins to name but two. It shouldn't take more than a heartbeat to answer this: Which 1959-born actress came from Ireland's own family of thespians? Hint


Question 18 of 20
18. As a comedian, he was rarely stuck for words If he was asked something awkward, he could always improvise. Of the four names given, whose 1959 birth day was it anyway? Hint


Question 19 of 20
19. Awards he won by the basketful and he was named one of the top 50 in his sport of all time. Which Michigan-born sportsman went through hoops to become a member of the dream team? Hint


Question 20 of 20
20. Playing second fiddle to the material girl did not do her much harm, in fact it won her an award. Pulp fiction made her a star again after a series of misses, and her career hardly seemed to crash. Which actress went on to make a name for herself as a director? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Some may have mocked his high-waisted trousers, but when it came to picking talent, X marked the spot. Which reality show judge was noted for his frank - some would say downright rude - assessment of the contenders?

Answer: Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell was born in London England on October 7 1959. He was the acid-tongued judging panel member on "The X Factor", "Pop Idol" and "American Idol".
2. He was a big bully, not that it did him much good, and the carpool served him little better. Which actor, a former spouse of a wisecracking comedienne, was a three-times winner of 'Golden Raspberry' awards?

Answer: Tom Arnold

Thomas Duane Arnold was born on March 6th 1959 in Ottumwa, Iowa. He was married to Roseanne Barr from 1990 to 1994. He took 'worst actor' awards for his roles in "Big Bully", "Carpool" and "The Stupids", all in 1996.
3. It's a good job he didn't suffer from arachnophobia, is all I can say, or life as we know it might have been different. Which actor often had a dilemma of not knowing how to get about, should it be by plane, train or automobile?

Answer: Dylan Baker

Dylan Baker was born on October 7th, 1959 in Syracuse, New York. His starring roles included "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" (1987), "Murder One" (18 episodes, 1995-1996) "Along Came a Spider" (2001); and of course "Spider-Man 2" (2004) and "Spider-Man 3" (2007).
4. Look Sharpe if you want to guess this one. Which football-loving actor was a very convincing Bond baddie?

Answer: Sean Bean

Shaun Mark Bean (correct spelling at birth) was born on April 17th 1959 in Handsworth, Sheffield, England. A product of RADA (The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art), he had numerous roles before standing out in "Lady Chatterley's Lover" on BBC television.

He went on to star as Richard Sharpe, a swashbuckling military hero of the Napoleonic Wars, in the television series based on Bernard Cornwell's books between 1993 and 1997. He played the chief villain in the 1995 James Bond outing, "GoldenEye". He is a lifelong supporter of Sheffield United FC.
5. Quite possibly she was everybody's all-American, and on the silver screen she was married to an untouchable. She didn't stay six feet under for long, though, emerging to claim two Emmy awards. Which actress was Oscar-nominated for her role as the mother of a dying cancer victim?

Answer: Patricia Clarkson

Patricia Davies Clarkson was born on December 29th 1959 in New Orleans, Louisiana. In a busy professional career, her movie roles included "The Untouchables" (1987), "Everybody's All American" (1988), "Pieces of April" (2003) - Oscar nominated for best supporting actress and TV's "Six Feet Under" (2001 to 2005) - double Emmy winner.
6. To his rivals he was known as 'boom boom'. Which 1959-born golfer with a very long drive brought a masterly touch to his game?

Answer: Fred Couples

Fred Couples was born in Seattle, Washington on October 3 1959. He turned professional in 1980 and joined the (US) PGA tour in 1992. Among many notable victories was a win in the August Masters in 1992.
7. As a singer and a songwriter she was perfect, but she was also a simple soul who shared the first of a million kisses with her friends. Which Scottish diva was attracted by the fairground?

Answer: Eddi Reader

Sadenia Reader was born in Glasgow, Scotand, on August 29th, 1959. After briefly toying with disco music, she teamed up with another songwriter (Mark E. Nevin) to form Fairground Attraction. Their biggest hit was 'Perfect', which topped the UK singles charts in 1988. Their album 'The First of a Million Kisses' topped the UK album charts the same year. In a solo career, her albums included 'Simple Soul' (2001). She was appointed MBE for outstanding contributions to the arts in 2006.
8. "Been there, shot that, wrote about it", might have been the motto of a certain 1959-born British author. In fact, the motto that he was most familiar with was 'who dares, wins'. Bravo for him, you might think, but as well as writing about heroes, which author was - literally - one himself?

Answer: Andy McNab

'Andy McNabb' (not his real name) was born in London on December 28th 1959. He joined the Army in 1976 and as an infantryman saw active service in Northern Ireland. At the second time of trying, he passed the grueling admission tests to join the SAS (Special Air Service) - motto "Who Dares, Wins".

He saw action again in the First Gulf War and wrote the acclaimed book "Bravo Two Zero" about the experience. A string of other non-fiction works, as well as a number of novels followed. For his military service, he was awarded the Military Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

At the time of writing this quiz, his real name remained unrevealed.
9. When you had eight brothers, there was a lot to live up to. Although she was never in their particular gang, she did get along with one of her siblings. She also showed she could cut it in the music business with a song that was top of the country charts and a top five hit on the Billboard charts. Which chanteuse liked her roses made of paper?

Answer: Marie Osmond

Olive Marie Osmond was born on October 13th 1959 in Ogden, Utah. Five of her siblings were involved in The Osmond Brothers band, and although she was never part of that outfit, Marie did partner her brother Donny on records and in a TV series "Donny and Marie", which ran from 1976 to 1979.

Her first single, "Paper Roses" topped the country charts in 1973 and crossed over to the Billboard charts for a top five placing.
10. He was born in England and and spent some time playing a member of the idle rich, and he was also a sidekick for a character who was not just a bounder, but a blackadder to boot. Which actor and funnyman then crossed the Atlantic to play a character who showed there was a doctor in the house and he had the cure for all ills?

Answer: Hugh Laurie

James Hugh Calum Laurie was born on June 11th 1959 in Oxford, England. In his youth he was a champion rower, but was forced to give that up because of illness and turned to comedy instead. A member of the Cambridge Footlights, he was introduced, by Emma Thompson, to his soon to be work partner, Stephen Fry.

They starred together in "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" and "Jeeves and Wooster", an adaptation of the P. G. Wodehouse stories of a member of the idle rich (Laurie) and his butler (Fry). They also worked with Rowan Atkinson and others in various "Blackadder" adventures, before Laurie found American fame as Dr Gregory House, a cantankerous though brilliant surgeon in "House", first broadcast in 2004. That performance won him Golden Globes in 2005 and 2006.
11. She made a fortune in the leisure business and then set about helping others make theirs. Which 1959-born entrepreneur could be a dragon with acerbic remarks for some of those who dared enter her den?

Answer: Deborah Meaden

Deborah Meaden was born in Somerset, England on February 11 1959. After several business disasters, she took over her parents' leisure business, subsequently selling it for £83 million, taking a personal slice of about £11m. In 2006, she took over from Rachel Elnaugh in the BBC TV series "Dragons Den".

The show featured four multi-millionaires willing to put their own money into (often hare-brained) business ideas pitched to them by innovators.
12. It wasn't really a top secret that he was a real genius, in fact he was a saint. Which actor played a rock icon and a dark and broody super hero?

Answer: Val Kilmer

Val Edward Kilmer was born in Los Angeles on December 31 1959. His acting roles included "Top Secret" (1984), "Real Genius" (1985) and "The Saint"(1997). He also starred as Jim Morrison in "The Doors" (1991) and as Batman in "Batman Forever" (1995).
13. He may have been an axe murderer's best friend and the brother of a slightly barmy personal assistant, but which actor did not let those bit parts sink him without a trace?

Answer: Anthony LaPaglia

Anthony LaPaglia was born on January 31st 1959 in Adelaide, South Australia. He had a supporting role in "So I Married an Axe Murderer"(1993) and also as the brother of Daphne Moon in the sit-com "Frasier. He played in nine episodes, including the show's finale in 2004, for which role he earned an Emmy. Meatier roles included the second series of "Murder One" (1996) and "Without a Trace" (from 2002). That earned him a Golden Globe.
14. He may have been just one of a few good men, but he took a bullet meant for his boss and still came up asking "what's next?" Which 1959-born actor made a play for another of his bosses, while trying to keep the studio audience happy for 60 minutes each week?

Answer: Bradley Whitford

Bradley Whitford was born on October 10th, 1959 in Madison, Wisconsin. He made his Broadway debut in "A Few Good Men" (which first appeared in 1989) but his biggest screen roles were as Josh Lyman in all seven seasons of "The West Wing" (1999 to 2006).

In one episode he was wounded by a gunman who shot at the President (Martin Sheen). He went on to play a producer of a late night TV comedy show in "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip" (2006). In it, he won the heart of one of his studio bosses, even though she was pregnant to another man.
15. This comedian, actress, dancer, singer, became a girl on top, after she was bored of a threesome. Which comedy actress first brought a dysfunctional yellow family into our lives?

Answer: Tracey Ullman

Tracey Ullman was born on December 30th 1959 in Slough, Buckinghamshire and got her breaks on British TV shows including "Three of a Kind" (1981-1983) and "Girls On Top" (1985 and 1986) before making it big in America with "The Tracey Ullman Show" (1987 to 1990). This was the show that first presented the animated adventures of "The Simpsons".
16. Comedian, disc jockey, rock star; there were no ends to the talent of this 1959-born Colorado native. They may have been cheap shots, but which star became the butt of many jokes?

Answer: Michael Floorwax

Michael Floorwax (real name: Michael Steinke) was born on November 3 1959 in Denver, Colorado. Apart from his time as a comedian, he was better known as a radio host on Denver's KRFX. He was also lead singer with a group called "The Groove Hawgs". He became the butt of many jokes on the TV show "Cheap Seats" (first aired 1994)
17. America had its share of acting dynasties - the Barrymores and the Baldwins to name but two. It shouldn't take more than a heartbeat to answer this: Which 1959-born actress came from Ireland's own family of thespians?

Answer: Niamh Cusack

Niamh Cusack October 29th was the daughter of the renowned actor Cyril Cusack. Her sisters, Sinéad Cusack and Sorcha Cusack, and half-sister, Catherine Cusack, were also actors Niamh was best known for her role in the British television drama "Heartbeat", from 1992 to 1995.
Susannah Doyle also came from an Irish acting dynasty, her father, Tony, was an actor, too. Despite her Irish name, Kate O'Mara was born in England (the name on her birth certificate is Kate Carroll). Born in Dublin, Dervla Kirwan was an actress known for roles in British TV series.
18. As a comedian, he was rarely stuck for words If he was asked something awkward, he could always improvise. Of the four names given, whose 1959 birth day was it anyway?

Answer: Ryan Stiles

Ryan Lee Stiles was born on April 22nd 1959 in Seattle, Washington, but the family moved to Canada when he was 10. He worked in his father's fish-processing plant in British Columbia, but his real love was stand-up comedy. In 1989, he became an essential part of the British TV improvisation show "Who's Line Is it Anyway", which was hosted by the (intentionally) funny lawyer Clive Anderson. The show later transferred to the USA, where it was hosted by Drew Carey. Stiles also starred in "The Drew Carey Show".
19. Awards he won by the basketful and he was named one of the top 50 in his sport of all time. Which Michigan-born sportsman went through hoops to become a member of the dream team?

Answer: Magic Johnson

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jr. was born on August 14th 1959 in Lansing, Michigan. He was a champion basketball player at high school and college and played the pro game of the LA Lakers. Many awards and credits followed, including five NBA championships and three most valuable player awards.

He was a member of the US team that won an Olympic gold medal in 1992. After retiring, he became an activist working to improve knowledge and treatment of HIV.
20. Playing second fiddle to the material girl did not do her much harm, in fact it won her an award. Pulp fiction made her a star again after a series of misses, and her career hardly seemed to crash. Which actress went on to make a name for herself as a director?

Answer: Rosanna Arquette

Rosanna Lauren Arquette was born on August 10th 1959 in New York City. She won an a BAFTA (British Film and Television Academy) best supporting actress for her role in "Desperately Seeking Susan" (1985), which, of course starred Madonna. She worked with Martin Scorsese in "Pulp Fiction" (1994) and with David Cronenberg in "Crash" (1996). Among the movies she directed were "Searching for Debra Winger"(2002) and "All We Are Saying"(2005).
Source: Author darksplash

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor skunkee before going online.
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