Last Name Ryan Quiz | Name Game

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1. Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr. had a 27 year career as a major league baseball pitcher. With what team did Nolan Ryan begin his career in 1966?

Answer: New York Mets

Although Ryan played for all these teams, he began his career with the Mets winning the World Series in 1969. "The Ryan Express" threw seven no-hitters in his time in the majors. In 2010, Ryan and his partners purchased the Texas Rangers franchise.

2. For what historic event is Californian Congressman Leo Ryan best remembered?

Answer: Jonestown Massacre

Inspired by John F. Kennedy, Leo Ryan worked his way up San Francisco politics eventually making his way to the House of Representatives. In November 1978, Congressman Ryan went to Jonestown, Guyana to investigate reports of abuses at the Peoples Temple lead by Jim Jones. Ryan was murdered as he tried to leave with cult members. Nine hundred and nine members of the cult also died in a mass murder/suicide.

3. Actress Meg Ryan is famous for her parts in such movies as "Sleepless in Seattle", "You've Got Mail" and "When Harry Met Sally". In 1991, Ryan played the part of Pamela Courson in the biopic of which singer?

Answer: Jim Morrison

Oliver Stone directed the 1991 film "The Doors" starring Val Kilmer as lead singer Jim Morrison. Pamela Courson was the long-time companion of Morrison. Jim Morrison died in Paris, France in 1971 at the age of 27. Morrison's parents contested any claim Courson had to the estate but California law upheld the common-law relationship. Courson died of a heroin overdose on April 24, 1974.

4. Prominent Illinois Republican candidate Jack Ryan's sensational divorce from which actress contributed to his withdrawing from the 2004 Illinois Senate race?

Answer: Jeri Ryan

American actress Jeri Ryan is best known for the role of Seven of Nine on the 1997-2001 television show "Star Trek: Voyager". The Ryans were married from 1991-1999. Allegations and rumors surfaced in 2004 that contributed to Jack bowing out of the race for Senate. Barak Obama eventually was victorious in the 2004 Senate race over Republican candidate Alan Keyes with over 70% of the popular vote.

5. Actor Robert Ryan appeared in over fifty films from 1940 until his death in 1973. In what 1969 Sam Peckinpah movie did Ryan play the part of Deke Thorton?

Answer: The Wild Bunch

"The Wild Bunch" was very violent for its time and blurred the line between good and evil. Ryan played William Holden's former partner who is hired to hunt down his former comrade. Peckinpah's use of slow motion and intricate filming angles makes the movie a classic appearing on many critics' lists of best western movies ever made.

6. Claude Ryan was a Canadian politician who was the leader of the Liberal Party in which Canadian province from 1978-1982?

Answer: Quebec

A former newspaper editor, Claude Ryan turned to politics after the election of the pro-separatist government of Rene Levesque in 1976. Altough Ryan never served as Premier of Quebec, he did lead the victorious "No" forces in the 1980 referendum on sovereignty.

7. Lucille Francis Ryan is a New Zealand actress best known for the series "Xena: Warrior Princess". What is Lucille Ryan's stage name?

Answer: Lucy Lawless

Lawless actually acquired her professional name from her first marriage in 1988. A versatile performer, Lawless started out in comedy and has carved out a singing career as well as acting. A spin-off from "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys", "Xena: Warrior Princess" lasted from 1995-2001. From 2005-2009, Lawless had a recurring role on "Battlestar Gallactica" as D'Anna Biers.

8. In 2008, quarterback Matt Ryan was selected third overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League draft. For what college team, which also counts Doug Flutie as an alumnus, did Ryan play his university football?

Answer: Boston College

Founded by the Jesuits, Boston College is a private school located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The Eagles play in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Doug Flutie won the 1984 Heisman Trophy for the most outstanding player in collegiate football. Although Matt Ryan broke many of Flutie's records, he was never able to win the Heisman Trophy.

9. John Joseph Patrick Ryan was the first actor to play the recurring character of Felix Leiter in the James Bond movies. Who is Mr. Ryan much better known as?

Answer: Jack Lord

Jack Lord played Leiter in the 1962 film "Dr. No". Lord is best known for playing the part of Steve McGarrett on "Hawaii Five-O" for twelve seasons from 1968-1980. He passed away in 1998 at the age of 77.

10. Actress Irene Ryan played the part of Granny in the 1962-1971 television show "The Beverly Hillbillies". What was Granny's full name in the show?

Answer: Daisy Moses

Daisy "Granny" Moses was the quick to anger female head of the Clampett family. They moved from their backwoods home to Beverly Hills when oil was discovered on their property. The comedy of the show came from the interaction of the down-to-earth hillbillies and their snobbish neighbors. Ryan passed away in 1973 at the age of seventy from complications from a stroke.

Source: Author Robert907

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