They're Dead, Jim: 2010-2019 Trivia Quiz

Answer: J.D. Salinger

J.D. Salinger (1919-2010) is best known for his landmark novel "The Catcher in the Rye", which chronicles the journey of Holden Caulfield, a disillusioned and alienated teenager navigating life in New York City. The book, celebrated by many and criticized by others, became a cultural touchstone for its frank exploration of teenage rebellion, societal disaffection, and its use of profanity.

Answer: Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011) was one of Hollywood's most iconic actresses for years, beloved for her acting and for her beauty. She won two Academy Awards, one for "Butterfield 8" and the other for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf". Taylor became nearly as well known for her colorful personal life (including eight marriages, two of them to Richard Burton) as for her film career.

She was also a passionate advocate and fundraiser for HIV/AIDS awareness, stepping up at a time when the cause still faced widespread stigma.

Answer: Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston (1963-2012) was one of the best-selling and most celebrated vocalists in music history. Known for her vocal range and powerful singing voice, she gained global fame with songs like "I Wanna Dance with Somebody", "Greatest Love of All", and her cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" for "The Bodyguard" (1992) soundtrack, which became one of the best-selling singles of all time. Over her career, Houston won six Grammy Awards and sold over 200 million records worldwide.

Answer: Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013) was the United Kingdom's first female Prime Minister, serving from 1979 to 1990. Known for her tough leadership style and free-market policies, she earned the nickname "The Iron Lady" from a Soviet journalist. Thatcher implemented widespread and controversial economic reforms, reducing the power of trade unions, privatizing state-owned industries, and emphasizing deregulation.

Answer: Tony Gwynn

Tony Gwynn (1960-2014) was one of Major League Baseball's greatest pure hitters, spending his entire 20-year career with the San Diego Padres (1982-2001). Known for his unmatched hand-eye coordination and disciplined approach at the plate, Gwynn won eight batting titles and finished with a career batting average of .338.

A 15-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.

Answer: Wes Craven

Wes Craven (1939-2015) was a master of horror whose films made a lasting impact on the horror genre. His first film was "The Last House on the Left" (1972), but it was 1984's "A Nightmare on Elm Street" that brought about his legendary status with the introduction of Freddy Krueger.

In the 1990s, Craven reinvented slasher films again with "Scream", a movie that blended horror with sharp humor and meta-commentary.

Answer: John Glenn

John Glenn (1921-2016) was an early American astronaut, decorated military pilot, and U.S. senator. In 1962, Glenn made history as the first American to orbit the Earth aboard Friendship 7, taking his place as a national hero during the height of the space race.

After retiring from NASA, Glenn served four terms as a senator from Ohio between 1974 and 1999. In 1998, at age 77, he returned to space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, becoming the oldest person to fly in space.

Answer: Charles Manson

Charles Manson (1934-2017) was the leader of the so-called "Manson Family," a cult that carried out a series of brutal murders in California during the summer of 1969. One of the victims, actress Sharon Tate, was eight months pregnant at the time of her murder. Manson preached a twisted philosophy that combined elements of apocalyptic race war, distorted interpretations of popular music (particularly "The White Album" by the Beatles), and his own disturbing charisma. Though he did not personally carry out the killings, he was convicted of first-degree murder for directing his followers to commit them. Manson became one of the most infamous criminals in American history and remained in prison until his death in 2017.

Answer: Jamal Khashoggi

Jamal Khashoggi (1958-2018) was a Saudi journalist, author, and dissident known for his critical writings on the Saudi government, particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A columnist for "The Washington Post", Khashoggi often advocated for freedom of speech, reform, and human rights in Saudi Arabia. On October 2, 2018, he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage and was brutally murdered inside.

His killing sparked international outrage and condemnation, severely straining relations between Saudi Arabia and much of the international community.

Answer: Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison (1931-2019) was one of the most influential American authors of the 20th and 21st centuries. Her novels, including "Beloved (1987)", "Song of Solomon" (1977), and "The Bluest Eye" (1970), explored themes of race, identity, family, and the legacy of slavery with deep insight and lyrical prose.

In 1993, she became the first African American woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Morrison's work earned many additional honors, including the Pulitzer Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.