Celebrities of Today and Yesterday Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Seventeen years after the fictional Dora Lange murder investigation, the two detectives who worked on that case are questioned by the police to elucidate the exact happenings. Which actor earned an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Rustin Cohle on the HBO series "True Detective"?

Answer: Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson (who played Martin Hart) were both nominated for their roles in the first installment of "True Detective". The concept of the series is very interesting as it is anthological, which means that the story of each season is self-contained and introduces new storylines, characters and settings.

As McConaughey pointed out in an interview, what fascinates him are characters "that live on the fringe"--people who are "a little bit on the outskirts of civilization". This can describe the character of Rustin Cohle.

2. The paparazzi have constantly been on the lookout for this lovely lady and her famous brood. What famous actress and director won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 1999 film "Girl, Interrupted"?

Answer: Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie is very well-known as actress and director. She took over the director's chair for the 2014 movie "Unbroken". She is also very active globally. In October 2003, she became the very first recipient of the Citizen of the World award, which was given to her by The United Nations Correspondents Association for her humanitarian work.

She married her longtime partner Brad Pitt on August 23, 2014.

3. "He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. A dark knight". Which of the following Oscar winners claimed the title role in Christopher Nolan's "Dark Knight Trilogy"?

Answer: Christian Bale

Christian Bale was born in Wales in 1974. In 1986, he was chosen from over 4,000 young boys for the lead role in Steven Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun". Well-deserved recognition he received in 2011, when he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his intense performance as Dicky Eklund in "The Fighter". Christian Bale has contributed to many charities and humanitarian organizations including Greenpeace, the Fulfillment Project and the Small Steps fund.

4. Whether opposite a crazy ghost, a sophisticated New York lawyer, a coffee-house guitarist or a legendary vampire, which lucky lady has had the pleasure of co-starring with the likes of Michael Keaton, Daniel Day-Lewis, Ethan Hawke and Gary Oldman?

Answer: Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder was born in Olmsted County, Minnesota in 1971. She made her film debut in 1986 in the film "Lucas". From there she went on to star in movies directed by Tim Burton (like "Beetlejuice" with Michael Keaton), Francis Ford Coppola ("Bram Stoker's Dracula" with Gary Oldman) and Martin Scorsese ("The Age of Innocence" with Daniel Day-Lewis).

5. After being stranded on an island for five years, a woman legally declared dead returns home. This formed the plot of the movie "Something's Got to Give", which was never completed because its star died during the production. Which beloved Hollywood icon passed away in August of 1962?

Answer: Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe passed away on August 5, 1962 under mysterious circumstances, triggering a plethora of speculations. She was one of Hollywood's most famous actresses and starred in ten major motion pictures, including "Some Like it Hot" (1958) and "Bus Stop" (1956). Her sudden death at the age of 36 and the mystery surrounding it continue to be a matter of discussion today.

6. Known for her husky voice and confident presence, which of the following Hollywood legends claimed Humphrey Bogart and Jason Robards as her husbands?

Answer: Lauren Bacall

Lauren Bacall starred in such films as "The Dark Passage", "How to Marry a Millionaire" and "The Mirror Has Two Faces". She was twenty-five years younger than Humphrey Bogart when they wed on May 21, 1945. They stayed together until his death in 1957.

After a couple of incidents in which they were refused a marriage license in Vienna, Austria and Las Vegas, Nevada, Lauren Bacall married Jason Robards on July 4, 1961 in Mexico. They divorced in 1969. Bacall died on August 12, 2014.

7. He created one of the most recognizable personas in movie history. What famous actor/director pioneer is responsible for such films as "The Kid", "Modern Times", and "The Great Dictator"?

Answer: Charlie Chaplin

Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin was born in South London on April 16, 1889. His first full length film was "The Kid", which at the same time was one of the first films in history to combine drama and comedy. In 1972, after an almost 20 year absence (mostly due to the political climate), Charlie Chaplin stepped back onto American soil to accept an Honorary Award bestowed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The standing ovation he received was one of the longest in the Academy's history lasting for over twelve minutes. Charlie Chaplin passed away December 25, 1977.

8. He considered himself to be nothing but "just a lucky slob from Ohio", but others termed him the King of Hollywood. Which of the following actors starred in such movies like "Gone With The Wind", "It Happened One Night" and "The Misfits"?

Answer: Clark Gable

William Clark Gable was born February 1, 1901 in Cadiz, Ohio. During the course of his career, he acted in over 80 movies. In 1942, following the sudden death of his third wife Carole Lombard in a tragic airplane crash, he joined the U.S. Army Air Forces.

After being promoted to Major, he was relieved of active duty on June 12, 1944. Clark Gable died November 16, 1960, a mere eleven days after the filming of "The Misfits" had been wrapped.

9. At a very young age he earned the reputation of being one of the best and most versatile actors of his generation. "I just did what I do best," as he said in one of his last films. What Australian actor posthumously won the Academy Award for his role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight"?

Answer: Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger was born April 4, 1979 in Perth, Australia. After his death by an accidental overdose in January 2008, the filming of "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" was halted for a few months until Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law agreed to take over.

The part of Tony subsequently was split into four distinct personas with Ledger as "original" Tony, and Depp, Farrell and Law as "Imaginarium" Tony 1-3. All three actors who replaced him donated their income from the movie to Heath Ledger's daughter Matilda.

10. This star certainly has a thing for quirky and bizarre characters, and is also a favorite of director Tim Burton. Which actor is very well-known for his role as the cheeky swashbuckler Jack Sparrow in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies?

Answer: Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp was born June 9, 1963 in Owensboro, Kentucky. In his big screen debut as Glen Lantz, he met a gory end in the classic horror film "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984). From there he went on to star in such films as "Edward Scissorhands" (the first of a number of collaborations with Tim Burton), "Cry Baby", "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" and "Finding Neverland".

Source: Author tag2371

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Pagiedamon before going online.
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This quiz is a mixture of questions dealing with actors who have been in the celebrity spotlight at one time or another. Out of respect for the actors, all questions focus on their public life and professional work.

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