Stars of Classic TV Shows Trivia Quiz

Answer: Leo G. Carroll

"Topper" was a fantasy sit-com that was also a 1937 movie that starred Roland Young in the title role. Cosmo Topper was a banker that bought a house only to find the ghosts of George and Marian Kirby haunting it. Only Topper could see and hear the Kirbys, leading to predictable consequences. "Topper" aired from 1953 to 1955.

Answer: Spring Byington

The lead character, Lily Ruskin, was a widow who lived with her daughter and son-in-law who were always looking to marry her off to some likely prospect. This series had an equally popular spin-off, "Pete and Gladys". Ms. Byington had been a stage and movie actress. Some of her films include "Meet John Doe", "Heaven Can Wait" and "The Enchanted Cottage".

Answer: Eve Arden

"Our Miss Brooks" was a long-running radio program that also starred Ms. Arden. The plots revolved around Connie Brooks' life, both private and involving her career as a high school English teacher. Much of the comedy revolved around her endless pursuit of her seemingly clueless love interest and fellow teacher, Mr. Boynton. Before this, Arden had been a prolific movie actress, usually in supporting roles.

Answer: Imogene Coca

Ms. Coca played a somewhat bumbling domestic worker who couldn't seem to find a steady job. Each episode had her employed in a different capacity by a different employer. Ms. Coca was probably best remembered in the skit/variety TV program "Your Show of Shows" starring opposite Sid Caesar.

Answer: David Janssen

David Janssen is also known for his TV work in "The Fugitive" and "Harry O". He focused on playing gritty, action loving characters in both TV and movies. In "Richard Diamond", portrayed a retired police officer turned private eye.

Answer: Neville Brand

"Laredo" was an action/adventure/comedy/western set in the post-Civil War years and followed the exploits of Company B of the Texas Rangers. At the core of the series was Brand portraying Reese Bennett who was considerably older than the other Rangers which led to some humorous situations.

A decorated solider in World War II, Brand also starred on other TV shows and some notable movies such as "Stalag 17", "The Birdman of Alcatraz" and "Cahill, U.S. Marshal".

Answer: Jackie Cooper

Cooper starred as "Sock" Miller, who was a naturalist that suddenly found himself elected to his city's council. The comedy revolved around his attempts to adjust to his new office while keeping the peace with other city officials and managing his social life. Cooper was a child star and appeared in such movies as "The Champ" and the 1934 version of "Treasure Island".

He played "Daily Planet" editor Perry White in four "Superman" movies. In his later career he turned to television and supporting roles in movies as well as being a director.

Answer: Dale Robertson

Ben Calhoun (Robertson) had the good fortune (or misfortune) to win a railroad playing poker. The misfortune, and story premise, was that the railroad wasn't even finished being built and was on the verge of bankruptcy. It was Ben's responsibility, then, to keep the railroad solvent while attempting to finish the line through often rugged situations. Robertson was perhaps best known for playing Jim Hardie on TV's "Tales of the Wells Fargo".

He was also the final host of "Death Valley Days".

Answer: Inger Stevens

Another TV attempt at remaking a theatrical movie. "The Farmer's Daughter" was a 1947 film that starred Loretta Young. In the TV show, Inger Stevens played a Swedish immigrant looking for employment in the U.S. and winds up becoming a nanny for Senator Glen Morley's (William Windom) two rambunctious sons. Stevens appeared in many TV shows and some movies ("Madigan", "5 Card Stud" and "Hang 'Em High"). Sadly, her career was cut short when shed died at age 35 in 1970 from an apparent drug overdose.

Answer: Lee Marvin

"M Squad" was a gritty police drama using Chicago as its backdrop. Lt. Frank Ballinger (Marvin) worked without a partner or any love interest. This program was parodied in the 1980's TV comedy "Police Squad" starring Leslie Nielsen, which even used the same theme song music. Marvin had an illustrious career in action/adventure movies such as "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance", "Cat Ballou", and "The Dirty Dozen", usually playing hard-boiled, abrasive characters.