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Richard Burton Trivia Quiz

I couldn't see any quizzes on the life or works of this wonderful Welsh actor, so here's my offering. The questions are not too difficult but I hope you find it interesting.

A multiple-choice quiz by fringe. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
fringe

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
77,136

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1652

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: PootyPootwell (9/10), Guest 71 (6/10), Guest 73 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Richard was born, the 12th of 13 children, on 19th November 1925 in South Wales. He only later changed his name to 'Burton'. What was it originally? Hint

Jenkins

Jones

Williams

Evans

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. At school with Richard in Port Talbot at that time was another young man who was also to become a famous actor. Who was he? Hint

Michael Caine

Anthony Hopkins

Roger Moore

John Mills

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. To which British University was Richard awarded a scholarship? Hint

Cambridge

Oxford

Durham

Edinburgh

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Question 4 of 10

4. Although his greatest love was always the stage, in 1948 Richard began filming on the first of his many screen roles. In what movie did he make his screen debut? Hint

The Last Days of Dolwyn

Barabbas

The Woman With No Name

Green Grow the Rushes

5. As everyone knows, in 1963 Richard met and fell in love with Elizabeth Taylor on the set of 'Cleopatra'. At this time they were both married to other partners. Who were their then spouses? Hint

Sybil Williams and Eddie Fisher

Susie Hunt and John Warner

Susie Hunt and Mike Todd

Sybil Williams and Michael Wilding

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Which famous actress, referring to his womanising, remarked to Burton, 'Richard, I do believe you would (do it with) a snake.'? Hint

Raquel Welch

Joan Collins

Liz Taylor

Judi Dench

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Question 7 of 10

7. Although he was nominated seven times for an Oscar, Richard never actually won. He did, however, win two Golden Globes. The first, very early on his career for 'My Cousin Rachel', and the second, twenty five years later. He was awarded this second accolade in 1978 for which drama? Hint

The Medusa Touch

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Equus

The Wild Geese

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Richard played many historical figures in his numerous movie roles. Which of the following did he NOT portray on film? Hint

King Henry VIII

Leon Trotsky

Adolf Hitler

Winston Churchill

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Which famous actor helped the young Richard Burton on his way and, twenty years after having acted together on the London stage, directed him in 'Hamlet' on Broadway? Hint

Lawrence Olivier

Ralph Richardson

Alec Guiness

John Gielgud

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. In August 1984 Richard died unexpectedly at the age of 58. What caused his premature death? Hint

Cancer

Heart attack

Brain haemorrhage

Cirrhosis of the liver

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Richard was born, the 12th of 13 children, on 19th November 1925 in South Wales. He only later changed his name to 'Burton'. What was it originally?

Answer: Jenkins

Whilst at school in Port Talbot, Richard was taken under the wing of one of his teachers, Philip Burton, who, recognising the young man's talents, spent many an extra-curricular hour coaching him on acting and voice projection. The young Richard later took this teacher's name.

2. At school with Richard in Port Talbot at that time was another young man who was also to become a famous actor. Who was he?

Answer: Anthony Hopkins

This small area of Wales has spawned two other Hollywood stars, besides Burton and Hopkins. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Ray Milland were both born within the same ten mile stretch of South Wales. It must be something in the water!

3. To which British University was Richard awarded a scholarship?

Answer: Oxford

Thanks to Philip Burton's extra tuition Richard was awarded a scholarship to Oxford at the young age of 16. Unfortunately his studies only lasted six months. He then left academia to pursue an acting career, having made his first stage appearance in an Oxford production as an extra, scrubbing steps!

4. Although his greatest love was always the stage, in 1948 Richard began filming on the first of his many screen roles. In what movie did he make his screen debut?

Answer: The Last Days of Dolwyn

In this Welsh film, written and directed by Emlyn Hughes, Richard co-starred with Sybil Williams who was to become his first wife in February 1949.

By 1951 he had completed four more movies, including 'Green Grow the Rushes' with Honor Blackman and 'The Woman With No Name' with Phyllis Calvert. According to his official website "His second British film, 'Now Barabbas Was a Robber' had critics comparing him to Olivier."

5. As everyone knows, in 1963 Richard met and fell in love with Elizabeth Taylor on the set of 'Cleopatra'. At this time they were both married to other partners. Who were their then spouses?

Answer: Sybil Williams and Eddie Fisher

Although 'Cleopatra' was the most expensive movie ever made at that time, the film itself was eclipsed by the off-screen romance of its two stars, who, having divorced their respective partners, married for the first time on the 15th March 1964.

6. Which famous actress, referring to his womanising, remarked to Burton, 'Richard, I do believe you would (do it with) a snake.'?

Answer: Joan Collins

To which Richard replied 'It would have to be wearing a skirt, darling, and it would have to be a female snake'.

Answer: Equus

Together with Peter O'Toole, Richard Burton has the dubious distinction of being the most nominated actor (seven times), never to have won an Oscar. At least he managed to win two of his six Gold Globe nominations.

8. Richard played many historical figures in his numerous movie roles. Which of the following did he NOT portray on film?

Answer: Adolf Hitler

He played Winston Churchill twice - in 1960 ('The Valiant Years') and 1974 ('The Gathering {Storm'); Leon Trotsky ('The Assassination of Trotsky') in 1972 and Henry VIII ('Anne of a Thousand Days') in 1969.

9. Which famous actor helped the young Richard Burton on his way and, twenty years after having acted together on the London stage, directed him in 'Hamlet' on Broadway?

Answer: John Gielgud

Richard was 24 years old when he starred opposite John Gielgud in 'The Lady's Not For Burning' on the London Stage in 1949. In 1964 Sir John directed Richard in the stage version of 'Hamlet', which ran for seventeen weeks on Broadway.

10. In August 1984 Richard died unexpectedly at the age of 58. What caused his premature death?

Answer: Brain haemorrhage

Richard died in Geneva, Switzerland and was buried there, dressed in a red suit and with the complete works of Dylan Thomas for company!

Source: Author fringe

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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