The Dakota and its Residents Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rudolph Nureyev

He lived from 1938-1993. He often danced with Margot Fonteyn. His apartment was called "The Nutcracker Suite." Although he was considered difficult to work with, he seemed to have had no problems with the other tenants. That is not an easy thing. To buy an apartment a person must go through a rigorous screening process.

This process begins with a $1000 fee for an investigation into your life. Many people have been rejected from living in the building, including Bill Joel, Carly Simon, Cher, and Madonna.

Answer: Rosie O'Donnell

Rosie was born in Commack, Long Island in 1962. Her TV work got her 7 Daytime Emmys. She also has a residence in Rockland County, a NYC suburb. Her time on ABC's "The View " brought her notoriety and criticism for her viewpoints.

Answer: Lauren Bacall

Bacall was born Betty Joan Perske in 1924 in The Bronx. She made her screen debut in "To Have and Have Not" with Bogart. Film buffs often said she was so sexy that she "purred" her lines. Her second husband was the actor Jason Robards. Bacall's last acting job was as a voice actor in "Family Guy." She was a resident of the Dakota from 1961 until her death in 2014.

Answer: Joe Namath

Namath was born in 1943 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He did lead the Jets to victory in the third Super Bowl, a victory which gave more credence to the AFC. Namath often wore women's panty hose on the field because it kept him warm, yet did not weigh very much. "Broadway Joe" was known for the lavish fur coats he wore.

Answer: Jack Palance

Palance, born Volodymyr Palahniuk in 1919, often played the bad guy in westerns. He as famous for playing the bad guy in "Shane." His voice pattern included a heavy breath between words. He was Marlon Brando's understudy in the Broadway version of "A Streetcar Named Desire." He died in 2006.

Answer: Rosemary Clooney

Jose Ferrer was the first Hispanic person to win an Oscar. He won the Best Actor award for "Cyrano." He is also remembered for his role in "The Caine Mutiny." Rosemary Clooney was singer, perhaps best known for her hit, "Come On-a My House."

Answer: Boris Karloff

Karloff lived from 1887-1969. He played the monster in "Bride of Frankenstein" and "Son of Frankenstein." By all accounts of his friends and family, he was a very kind and gentle man. Because of the arduous make up procedures in "Frankenstein", Karloff realized that something must be done to ensure the safety of actors.

He, therefore, became one of the founders of the Screen Actors Guild.

Answer: John Madden

John Madden, born in 1936, claimed his fear was really claustrophobia. Madden was hired in 1967 by Al Davis to be the linebacker coach of the Raiders. In 1969, at the age of 33, Davis hired Madden as head coach of the Oakland Raiders. He is considered one of the best football commentators.

Answer: Roberta Flack

Roberta Cleopatra Flack was famous for her duets with Donny Hathaway and Peabo Bryson. She won 4 Grammy Awards. In 2010 she formed the Roberta Flack Foundation whose aims included encouraging music education and animal welfare. In 2020 she received a Lifetime Grammy.

Answer: Leonard Bernstein

Leonard Bernstein lived 1918 to 1990. In the 1950s and 60s he starred in a series of television shows designed to introduced classical music to children. He composed the score for "On the Water Front." In 1989 he conducted Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the Berlin Wall to celebrate its downfall.

His apartment was the most expensive property in the Dakota. In 1997 it sold for $21 million. It has 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, a formal dining room, and plenty of space.