Who Played That "Shawshank" Role? Quiz

Answer: Clancy Brown

This description came during Red's narration of a story involving Captain Hadley (portrayed by Clancy Brown). Uncharacteristically, Hadley gave a convict crew some ice-cold Bohemia-style beer while they were tarring a plate factory roof. This was payment for some tax advice given by Andy Dufresne, one of the inmates.

A prolific American actor since the 1980s, Clancy Brown has often been cast in villainous and authority-type roles in film and TV. He has also voice acted such characters as Mr. Krabs in the animated TV series "SpongeBob SquarePants" since 1999.

Answer: Jeffrey DeMunn

Jeffrey DeMunn was the prosecutor in the court case which saw Andy Dufresne convicted for the murder of his wife and her lover. DeMunn was known for his collaborations with the director Frank Darabont. Darabont directed the adaptations of three Stephen King works, namely "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994) itself, "The Green Mile" (1997) and "The Mist" (2007) with DeMunn appearing in all three.

Answer: Jude Ciccolella

It was overhearing a conversation between Guard Mert (Jude Ciccolella) and Captain Hadley about Hadley's inheritance that provided Andy with the opportunity to make himself useful to the prison authorities. It nearly cost him an 'accidental' fall from the roof. One result of this transaction was the work crew being treated to beers.

American actor Jude Ciccolella is best known for portraying Mike Novick in the TV series "24" (2001-2006) in nearly 60 episodes. His was a supporting role in "Shawshank.

Answer: Tim Robbins

The main protagonist, the banker Andy Dufresne received two life sentences for murdering his wife and her lover. After 18 years at Shawshank State prison, a new inmate informed Andy that a cellmate at another prison had confessed to the murders. By this time Andy was too useful to the warden so the warden had the new inmate killed, supposedly during an escape attempt.

Around ten other actors were considered or offered the role of Dufresne before Tim Robbins secured it. His performance in the 1990 psychological horror film "Jacob's Ladder" (1990) worked in his favour. He had already made his mark in "Bull Durham" (1988), "The Player" (1992) and as the director of "Bob Roberts" (1992).

Answer: Gil Bellows

Tommy Williams (portrayed by Gil Bellows) was a young petty thief who died because he knew that Andy was innocent. Andy had been teaching Tommy to read so that he could get some qualifications and perhaps lead a better life on his release. When he learned the killer's identity, Andy sought the warden's help to appeal the conviction but had not appreciated how ruthless the warden was. Tommy's death proved pivotal to Andy.

Gil Bellows is a Canadian actor who has appeared on stage and screen since the 1990s, his first film being "The First Season" (1989). His best known role was as Billy Thomas, the love interest of the titular character in the TV legal comedy-drama "Ally McBeal" (1997-2002).

Answer: Mark Rolston

Mark Rolston portrayed the character Bogs Diamond, leader of the 'Sisters' gang. They made Andy's life a misery during the early years but when Andy proved financially useful to the warden, Hadley crippled Bogs Diamond and Andy was left alone by the gang thereafter.

American actor Mark Rolston made his debut in "Aliens" (1986), the second in the franchise. He is known for his supporting roles in films like "Lethal Weapon 2" (1989), "Rush Hour" (1998), on TV in such series as "Turn: Washington's Spies" (2015-2016) and "Bosch" (2018-2021).

Answer: Bob Gunton

Bob Gunton portrayed Warden Samuel Norton who operated a strict and corrupt regime. Andy was able to gain some protection within the system by helping to facilitate the corruption, however it was at times an uneasy relationship. A 'welcome speech' sets the scene:

Warden Norton [to new inmates]: "I believe in two things: discipline and the Bible. Here, you'll receive both. Put your trust in the Lord. Your ass belongs to me. Welcome to Shawshank."

Known for his roles as a strict authoritarian such as Chief George Earle in "Demolition Man" (1993) and Dr. Walcott in "Patch Adams" (1998), he was the primary antagonist in "Shawshank". His career extended to the stage where he received Tony Award nominations for portraying Juan Perón in the Broadway musical "Evita" (1980) and for the title role in the musical "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (1989).

Answer: James Whitmore

James Whitmore portrayed Brooks Hatlen, the long-serving prison librarian who, on release, could not make the transition to life outside. At one point Andy was taking about expanding the library. In reply Brooks said of the six wardens he'd seen: "Not one of them born whose asshole wouldn't pucker up tighter than a snare drum when you ask them for funds."

Whitmore's career lasted nearly 60 years with awards including a Grammy, an Emmy and a Tony. He was also nominated for two Academy Awards including a Best Actor nomination for his performance in "Give 'em Hell, Harry!" (1975).

Answer: William Sadler

William Sadler had a supporting role in the film. On one occasion, he had a knife held to his throat by the elderly Brooks Hatlen. This was an attempt to remain in prison rather than be released. Andy talked Hatlen down. On another occasion he provided some humour. Red's gang were helping Andy unpack the new books:

[On picking up one book]
Heywood: "The Count of Monte Crisco."
Floyd: "Cristo, you dumb shit."
Heywood: "... by Alexandree Dumb-ass ... dumb-ass."
Andy: "Dumb-ass? Dumas. You know what it's about? You'll like it, it's about a prison break."
Red: "We oughta file that under 'Educational' too, oughten we?"

American actor Sadler is a character actor known for his roles in such films as "Die Hard 2" (1990), "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey" (1991) and "Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight" (1995) as well as "Shawshank".

Answer: Morgan Freeman

Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding became Andy's friend inside the prison. Morgan Freeman was chosen to portray the character, even though Red was a white Irishman in the novella. Red was a contraband smuggler in the prison, arranging (for example) for his friends to do the plate factory roof job through a bit of bribery.

Morgan Freeman has had a career spanning six decades and accumulated numerous awards. It was producer Liz Glotzer who made the casting suggestion and it was from watching the children's educational TV series "The Electric Company" (1971-1977) in which Freeman had a main role that Tim Robbins first knew of the actor.

In a succinct summary of the film and a reference to Dufresne's escape which involved a sewage pipe, Red observed [in voice over]: "Andy Dufresne, who crawled through a river of shit and came out clean on the other side."