Actors Playing Irish Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tom Cruise

The film, directed by Ron Howard, was set in the 1890s and also starred Nicole Kidman.

Answer: Kevin Spacey

Kevin Spacey is from New Jersey. This film, released in 2000, was set in the early 1990s.

Answer: Snatch

Guy Ritchie, who directed the film, had originally intended to offer Brad Pitt the role of a London thug. He changed his mind when he found that the actor couldn't imitate a London accent successfully.

Answer: Dancing at Lughnasa

Set in Ireland in the 1930s and based on a play by Brian Friel, this film tells the story of a young boy growing up with his unmarried mother and four spinster aunts, and the hardships they face in Ireland during the depression.

Answer: Shallow Hal

This film stars Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow. Hal (played by Jack Black) is hypnotised into only being able to see the inner beauty of women. This leads to his attraction to Rosemary, played by Gwyenth Paltrow. Mayhem ensues when the spell is broken. This was a change of pace for Viterelli, who often played the role of gangsters. Sadly, he died in 2004.

Answer: Road to Perdition

"Road to Perdition" tells the story of a young boy coming to terms with the knowledge that his father (played by Tom Hanks) is a gangster and hitman. It is also a tale of revenge and reward, rich in both paternal and religious symbolism. This 2002 film was directed by Sam Mendes, who appears in one scene as one of John Rooney's bodyguards.

Answer: Gangs of New York

"Gangs of New York" was released in 2002, and tells the story of a young man (played by Leonardo Di Caprio) who sets out to infiltrate the New York underworld in the 1860s to avenge his father. John C. Reilly appeared in three of the Best Picture nominees that year: "Chicago", "Gangs of New York" and "The Hours".

Answer: Scotland

"Angela's Ashes" was based on the autobiography of Frank McCourt. Robert Carlyle played Malachy McCourt, who came from Northern Ireland. Frank McCourt himself was born in the USA.

Answer: Michael Collins

"Michael Collins" tells the story of one of the key political figures in Ireland's push to become a republic. Julia Roberts played Kitty Kiernan, who was the love interest of the title character in the film, played by Liam Neeson.

Answer: Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt apparently did all he could to get out of this role, but backed down when he was threatened with a lawsuit. This stands in stark contrast to the other film in this quiz where Pitt played an Irishman! Brad Pitt approached Guy Ritchie directly for a role in "Snatch" and was reportedly prepared to do whatever was needed to land a role in the film.