Famous TV Detectives Trivia Quiz

Answer: Jim Hutton

Frederic Dannay and James Yoffe, cousins from Brooklyn, NY, collaborated on the stories about Ellery Queen, writing under that name. It has been said that Ellery Queen may be the best known American fictional detective. If this is true it is probably because, in addition to the many books, there have been a large number of movies, radio shows and television shows based on their work.

Answer: Mike Connors

During the first season, Mannix was part of a detective agency called Intertect. In the second season, he was on his own except for his secretary, Peggy Fair, who was played by Gail Fisher. Gail was one of the first African-American TV actresses to have a regular role in a television series.

Answer: Stacy Keach

Stacy's father, Walter Stacy Keach, was a drama teacher who went to work at the Pasadena Playhouse in California when Stacy was very young. Stacy started in the theater at an early age and was involved in many off-Broadway and Broadway productions as well as many films and television shows before he began playing Mike Hammer in 1984.

In 1997 he returned to the role in "Mike Hammer, Private Eye".

Answer: Dennis Franz

Born in Mayfield, Illinois in 1944, Dennis Franz dropped his actual last name, Schlachta, when he became a performer. He looked so much like a stereo-typical policeman that he was constantly offered roles portraying one. Detective Andy Sipowicz was the 27th time he played a cop.

Answer: James Garner

Garner got his big break in 1957 playing the role of Bret Maverick and this role made him a household name. In the 1970s there was some talk of redoing "Maverick", but, instead, in 1974 he became Jim Rockford. He received a Best Actor Emmy for his portrayal of Rockford in 1977.

Answer: Theo

Born in 1922, Telly Savalas had a career that spanned four decades. He started in television as a news director at ABC. He worked as a character actor on various TV shows during 1959 and the early 1960s, but he will probably always be Theo Kojak to most viewers. He won an Emmy for the role in 1974.

Answer: Tony Shalhoub

Tony Shalhoub spent his early life in Greenbay, Wisconsin. Tony prepared for his theatrical career by receiving a Bachelor's degree in Drama from the University of Southern Maine and a Master's degree from the Yale School of Drama. None of his extensive work on Broadway or in films brought him the attention he received as the obsessive-compulsive Adrian Monk, a role which he began to play in 2002.

Answer: Tom Selleck

Thomas William Selleck, born January 29, 1945, has appeared extensively on television, but is best known for his starring role as Thomas Magnum in the 1980's television show "Magnum, P.I.".

Answer: He had an eye removed when he was 3 years old because of a malignant tumor.

Peter Falk was born on September 16, 1927 in New York City. He began acting at summer camp when he was twelve years old. Having lost his eye when he was so young, he was not hampered in his pursuit of normal activities. He played baseball with some success for his high school team and tried to enlist in the Navy.

The Navy rejected him, but he did serve in the Merchant Marines as a cook and mess boy. After leaving the service, he attended the New York School of Social Research where he received a Bachelor's degree in Theater Arts.

Answer: On the coast of Maine

Angela Lansbury was born on October 16, 1925 in Poplar, England. She had a distinguished career on the stage in both London and New York, made many successful films, including providing the voice of Mrs. Potts, in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast", and did extensive work in television.

Her role as Jessica Fletcher in "Murder, She Wrote", which took most of her time from 1984 until 1996, brought her many Emmy nominations and four Golden Globe awards for Best Actress in a Television Drama Series in 1985, 1987, 1990 and 1992.