Down for the Count in 1974 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tex Ritter

Woodward Maurice "Tex" Ritter made his motion picture debut in 1936. He also began a successful recording career in country music in 1944. Tex Ritter was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was awarded a Golden Boot Award for his contributions to the genre of Westerns in television and film.

Woodward Maurice "Tex" Ritter died of a heart attack on January 2, 1974. His son, John Ritter, became a television and movie actor.

Answer: Duke Ellington

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington began performing with his orchestra in 1927 at the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York. These gigs gave Duke Ellington exposure and the opportunity to collaborate with other talented musicians. Ellington gained writing credits for over one thousand jazz songs. Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington died on May 24, 1974, of complications from pneumonia and lung cancer.

Answer: Charles Lindbergh

Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an aviator who flew the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in 1927. The "Lindy Hop" dance and the "Lindbergh Boom" of aviation were inspired by this flight. Charles Lindbergh died of lymphoma on August 26, 1974, in Kipahulu, Hawaii.

Answer: Cass Elliot

Ellen Naomi Cohen was professionally known as singer Cass Elliot or Mama Cass. Cass Elliot was a member of the singing group the Mamas and the Papas. Cass Elliot released five solo albums. Elliot died in her sleep of a heart attack on July 29, 1974.

Answer: Jack Benny

Benjamin Kubelsky, professionally known as Jack Benny, hosted comedic popular radio and television shows from 1932 until his death in 1974. Jack Benny portrayed himself as "a 39-year-old" miser who was a terrible violin player. Benjamin Kubelsky died on December 26, 1974 in Los Angeles, California.

Answer: Ed Sullivan

Edward Vincent Sullivan was a legendary television variety show from 1948 through 1971. On this show, Ed Sullivan discovered and presented many of the pop culture figures of that era. Ed Sullivan died from esophageal cancer on October 13, 1974, in New York City.

Answer: Earl Warren

Earl Warren served as Governor of California from 1943 to 1953. Warren also served as the Chief Justice of the United States from 1953 to 1969. Warren also led the Warren Commission, a commission that investigated the 1963 assassination death of President John F. Kennedy. Earl Warren died of cardiac arrest in Washington, D.C. on July 9, 1974.

Answer: Walter Brennan

Actor Walter Brennan won three Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He won the Academy Awards for his performances in "Come and Get It" (1936), "Kentucky" (1938) and "The Westerner" (1940). Brennan also starred in the sitcom "The Real McCoys" from 1957 through 1963. Walter Brennan died on September 21, 1974, of emphysema in Oxnard, California.

Answer: Georges Pompidou

Georges Jean Raymond Pompidou served as both Prime Minister of France and President of the French Republic. He was also a member of the Constitutional Council. Georges Pompidou died on n April 2, 1974 of Waldenström's disease while still President of France.

Answer: Bud Abbott

Entertainer and straight man William Alexander "Bud" Abbott began his career working in burlesque and vaudeville. Abbott met Lou Costello while working at Minsky's Burlesque shows in New York City. The pair became a successful comedy duo with Abbott playing the straight man. Bud Abbott died on April 24, 1974, in Woodland Hills, California.