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Quiz about Cast Against Type
Quiz about Cast Against Type

Cast Against Type Trivia Quiz


Most actors have a "type": hero or villain, likeable or smarmy, they have a specialty. Some of the most memorable portrayals on the silver screen have happened when an actor is outside his/her comfort zone. Here are ten of the best for you to identify.

A multiple-choice quiz by Jdeanflpa. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
Jdeanflpa
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
394,567
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
9 / 10
Plays
566
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: FHarris10 (9/10), Guest 172 (10/10), Hayes1953 (8/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. He was perhaps the finest comedian of the late 20th Century, known for his manic improv skills. In portraying weird stalker Sy Parrish in "One Hour Photo" this Oscar winner kept to the script. Who was this dramatically talented funny man? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. A fairly dependable Hollywood trait is that when an actress associated with light or genre work wants to be taken seriously, she will take a role that hides her beauty. Few have succeeded to the extent of the South African former model who so chillingly played female serial killer Aileen Wournos. Who put the monster in "Monster"? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. This actor was associated with a role of a fine, furry-footed ring bearer in the "Lord of the Rings" series of 2001 through 2003. Within two years of wrapping "LOTR", the actor, who had been a convincing Frodo Baggins, had become just as convincing as an eerie, violent, mute cannibal named Kevin in 2005's "Sin City". Who went from hobbit to horror in two years? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. He's a profoundly bankable star, and possesses such a deeply likable character so that you tend to like his portrayals, even when he's playing a bad boy. His depiction of a sadistic slave trader in 2012's "Django Unchained" put the vile back into villain. You might call this actor a Renaissance Man - he's at least named for one. Which likable star became the despicable Calvin Candie?
Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Initially regarded as matinee idol fodder, in 1945 this popular actor veered away from romance and light action roles to deliver a searing performance as alcoholic writer Don Birnam in "The Lost Weekend", winning the Best Actor Oscar in the process. There was no sunshine in this one, despite his given name. Who was he? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. In a film called "A Face in the Crowd" released in 1957, and unjustly overlooked today, a very familiar American face went from alcoholic drifter to power hungry politician. The actor became best known for a television role as a "down-home" North Carolina sheriff. Whose movie masterwork was Larry 'Lonesome' Rhodes in "A Face in the Crowd"? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Her first big hit was "Oklahoma!" in 1955, she played a nice, proper lady, and played similar roles all the way up to her television turn as Shirley Partridge. There was one exception, and it won her the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. What perennial good girl played a prostitute and former lover of the fake evangelist in 1960's "Elmer Gantry"? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. An established, and sometimes terrifying, heavy or villain (see his turn as Sergeant 'Fatso' Judson in "From Here to Eternity" [1953])), in 1955 this actor threw a switch and became "Marty" the shy neighborhood meat cutter in love. He also became an Oscar winner. Interestingly, he never played "heavy" again, his new type became gruff but lovable. He also had his own Navy. Who was this remarkable actor? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. We're used to powerful portrayals of remarkable men from this actor, be it Private Silas Trip in "Glory" (1989) or the title role in "Malcolm X" (1992), but this gifted actor really chewed the scenery as a shrewd, manipulative, seriously bent cop in "Training Day" (2001), and won an Oscar in the process. Who is he? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. His characters, although often complex, always seemed to have a strong moral center, whether it was Tom Joad in "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940), Lieutenant, Junior Grade Douglas Roberts in "Mr. Roberts" (1955), or Juror # 8, in "12 Angry Men" (1957), there he was, in the right. Which made his spot on rendering of Frank, the brutally ruthless gunslinger in "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968) all the more shockingly effective. Who was this legend of American movies? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 11 2024 : FHarris10: 9/10
Mar 04 2024 : Guest 172: 10/10
Mar 03 2024 : Hayes1953: 8/10
Jan 31 2024 : Guest 12: 10/10

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. He was perhaps the finest comedian of the late 20th Century, known for his manic improv skills. In portraying weird stalker Sy Parrish in "One Hour Photo" this Oscar winner kept to the script. Who was this dramatically talented funny man?

Answer: Robin Williams

All four nominees are/were very funny fellows. Robin Williams is the only Oscar winner, for "Good Will Hunting" in 1999. Williams' depiction of the obsessed photo processor was so spot on, it was authentically uncomfortable to watch at times. Said fact probably explains the lack of awards for "One Hour Photo", but you cannot unsee Williams' portrayal.
2. A fairly dependable Hollywood trait is that when an actress associated with light or genre work wants to be taken seriously, she will take a role that hides her beauty. Few have succeeded to the extent of the South African former model who so chillingly played female serial killer Aileen Wournos. Who put the monster in "Monster"?

Answer: Charlize Theron

Ms. Theron won Best Actress Oscar glory for her turn as the ferocious Wournos, delivering not only the requisite chills, but assuring that the horrid backstory about what so warped Aileen Wournos was also effectively depicted in the 2003 film. It was quite the shift from the mostly light romantic fare which had been her milieu, although there were hints of her range in 1999's "Cider House Rules". None of the other three actresses listed is South African.
3. This actor was associated with a role of a fine, furry-footed ring bearer in the "Lord of the Rings" series of 2001 through 2003. Within two years of wrapping "LOTR", the actor, who had been a convincing Frodo Baggins, had become just as convincing as an eerie, violent, mute cannibal named Kevin in 2005's "Sin City". Who went from hobbit to horror in two years?

Answer: Elijah Wood

Elijah Wood played Frodo Baggins, hobbit and ring bearer in "Lord of the Rings" and delivers a none too subtle level of menace, without saying a word in "Sin City". Silent roles are universally regarded as quite difficult, but Wood surmounts the challenge with what seems to be ease. Audiences accustomed to the heroic hobbit may have more trouble.

The other options were Wood's co-stars in "LOTR". Bloom was the elf Legolas, Astin portrayed Frodo's boon companion Sam Gamgee, and McKellen was Gandalf.
4. He's a profoundly bankable star, and possesses such a deeply likable character so that you tend to like his portrayals, even when he's playing a bad boy. His depiction of a sadistic slave trader in 2012's "Django Unchained" put the vile back into villain. You might call this actor a Renaissance Man - he's at least named for one. Which likable star became the despicable Calvin Candie?

Answer: Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio finally won an Oscar for Best Actor in 2016 for "The Revenant", after turning in several performances of that caliber. Oscars for truly villainous roles are very rare, so it's not surprising that his strong turn in "Django" was passed over. DiCaprio's looks worked against him early (pretty boy syndrome) but bravura performances like his over-the-top, yet nuanced portrayal of poet Arthur Rimbaud in "Total Eclipse" (1995) portended great things.
5. Initially regarded as matinee idol fodder, in 1945 this popular actor veered away from romance and light action roles to deliver a searing performance as alcoholic writer Don Birnam in "The Lost Weekend", winning the Best Actor Oscar in the process. There was no sunshine in this one, despite his given name. Who was he?

Answer: Ray Milland

Born Reginald Truscott-Jones in Neath, Glamorgan, Wales, Ray Milland's brilliant performance as man falling into the bottle is still regarded by most reviewers as the most accurate representation of alcoholism ever filmed. Popular/bankable throughout his career, "The Lost Weekend" was his high point.

Other solid appearances include "Beau Geste" (1939), "The Major and the Minor" (1942) and, in 1954, a villainous turn in "Dial 'M' for Murder".
6. In a film called "A Face in the Crowd" released in 1957, and unjustly overlooked today, a very familiar American face went from alcoholic drifter to power hungry politician. The actor became best known for a television role as a "down-home" North Carolina sheriff. Whose movie masterwork was Larry 'Lonesome' Rhodes in "A Face in the Crowd"?

Answer: Andy Griffith

Although both "A Face in the Crowd" and Andy Griffith's performance were well received, within three years Griffith essentially abandoned the big screen for the small. It may have been for the best, for while he shone brightly on the silver screen, Griffith's portrayal of Sheriff Andy Taylor became an American icon, and "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960-1968) launched or greatly aided careers as diverse as those of Jim Nabors and Ron (Ronnie, back then) Howard.
7. Her first big hit was "Oklahoma!" in 1955, she played a nice, proper lady, and played similar roles all the way up to her television turn as Shirley Partridge. There was one exception, and it won her the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. What perennial good girl played a prostitute and former lover of the fake evangelist in 1960's "Elmer Gantry"?

Answer: Shirley Jones

Jones' turn as Lulu Bains, the discarded woman of easy virtue bent on revenge, nearly stole the show in "Elmer Gantry". Burt Lancaster's powerful (and Oscar winning) performance and stellar work from the under-appreciated Jean Simmons kept things in perspective. Shirley returned comfortably to type, but every once in a while gives a hint of what else she can do.
8. An established, and sometimes terrifying, heavy or villain (see his turn as Sergeant 'Fatso' Judson in "From Here to Eternity" [1953])), in 1955 this actor threw a switch and became "Marty" the shy neighborhood meat cutter in love. He also became an Oscar winner. Interestingly, he never played "heavy" again, his new type became gruff but lovable. He also had his own Navy. Who was this remarkable actor?

Answer: Ernest Borgnine

Ernest Borgnine's deft and delicate portrayal of Marty Piletti in "Marty" won a well deserved Best Actor Oscar. Realizing that Borgnine's other famous part, the vicious and sadistic 'Fatso' Judson was only two years earlier gives an idea of the man's range. Despite several fine silver screen roles, Borgnine is likely best known as Navy Lieutenant Quinton McHale of the television sitcom series "McHale's Navy" (1962-1968).
9. We're used to powerful portrayals of remarkable men from this actor, be it Private Silas Trip in "Glory" (1989) or the title role in "Malcolm X" (1992), but this gifted actor really chewed the scenery as a shrewd, manipulative, seriously bent cop in "Training Day" (2001), and won an Oscar in the process. Who is he?

Answer: Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington usually picks roles that are at least a touch uplifting. His fatally damaged narcotics' detective, Alonzo Harris, is a straight downer, reminding you of the famed aphorism that while you're looking into the abyss, the abyss looks into you. Washington usually plays passionate characters, Alonzo is what happens when passion slides into obsession. Sadly the film was packaged as a shoot 'em up action film.

It's really considerably deeper, and worthy of more thoughtful attention than it usually gets, attested to by Washington's Oscar for Best Actor.
10. His characters, although often complex, always seemed to have a strong moral center, whether it was Tom Joad in "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940), Lieutenant, Junior Grade Douglas Roberts in "Mr. Roberts" (1955), or Juror # 8, in "12 Angry Men" (1957), there he was, in the right. Which made his spot on rendering of Frank, the brutally ruthless gunslinger in "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968) all the more shockingly effective. Who was this legend of American movies?

Answer: Henry Fonda

Henry Fonda's five decade career included at least seven roles that should have been considered for an Academy Award. He was nominated three times, finally winning for 1981's "On Golden Pond". Fonda received his Oscar in March of 1982, and passed away that August. "Frank" was so diametrically opposed to Fonda's other characters, yet so well performed, that the role is considered an archtype for casting against type.
Source: Author Jdeanflpa

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