A Common Role Trivia Quiz

Answer: Charles Laughton

Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester married in 1929, and remained married until Laughton's death in 1962. They were both born in England, but became American citizens in 1950.

Answer: Sid James

Sid James was known for his filthy laugh and a face that was not so much lived-in, as squatted in by some very inconsiderate tenants. His early jobs in South Africa included hairdressing and teaching dance. Sid suffered a heart attack and died onstage in April 1976, while performing at the Sunderland Empire Theatre. It is rumoured that his ghost haunts the dressing room he used there.

Answer: Eric Bana

Eric's birth name is Eric Banadinovich. He was born in Melbourne Australia in 1968. He was not a fan of the "Incredible Hulk" comics but was a big fan of the 1970s TV series "The Incredible Hulk", which starred Bill Bixby as Dr. David Bruce Banner. Lou Ferrigno played the Hulk in the same series. Sam Elliot played General Ross in the 2003 film "Hulk".

Answer: Charlton Heston

In the 1980s Charlton Heston campaigned for the Republican Party. When asked why his political views had changed, he is reported to have said "I didn't change, the Democratic Party changed". He is also reported to have said "Political correctness is just tyranny with manners". He was president of the NRA from 1998 to 2003.

Answer: Robert Shaw

Robert Shaw also appeared in another adaptation of a Peter Benchley novel in "The Deep" (1977). Just when we thought it was safe to go back into the water after "Jaws", "The Deep" tried to scare us with a giant eel, but somehow it didn't have the same effect.

Answer: Keith Michell

Keith Michell also appeared in nine episodes of "Murder She Wrote" as Dennis Stanton. He is also a talented artist. He was born near Port Pirie, South Australia and the theatre there is named after him.

Answer: Richard Burton

Richard Burton's mother died when he was two years old and he was bought up by his elder sister, Cecilia. His father sometimes disappeared for weeks at a time to go gambling and drinking.

During his career, Richard Burton was nominated for seven Oscars, but never won. Burton prided himself on his wit and eloquence and used to carry around a bag containing various novels, dictionaries, books of quotations and crosswords to keep his mind engaged and to promote conversation. Despite this, the best he could manage when introduced to future wife Elizabeth Taylor on the set of the film "Cleopatra" was "You're a very pretty girl"!

Answer: Ray Winstone

Ray Winstone was born in Hackney and retains his London accent. He is best known for playing "tough guy" roles, though he did supply the voice of Mr. Beaver in "The Chronicles of Narnia" (2005). Ray played the lead role of Gary Dove in the 2000 crime drama "Sexy Beast".

Answer: Jonathan Rhys Myers

Jonathan was born with a heart defect and his parents were advised to have him baptised sooner rather than later, as his long-term prognosis was poor. He won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in 2006, for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in the CBS miniseries "Elvis".

Answer: Henry VIII

Charles Laughton gave us an uncouth, guzzling Henry VIII in "The Private Life of Henry VIII" (1933).
Sid James played him (mainly as a historical Sid James!) in "Carry on Henry" (1971).
Eric Bana's Henry became involved with two sisters in "The Other Boleyn Girl" (2008).
Charlton Heston took the role in "The Prince and the Pauper" (aka Crossed Swords) in 1977.
Robert Shaw's Henry VIII appeared in "A Man for All Seasons" (1966).
Keith Michell first appeared as Henry VIII in the TV "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" (1970). He reprised the role for the 1972 film "Henry VIII and His Six Wives". He also played the part of Henry in a TV production of "The Prince and the Pauper" in 1996.
Richard Burton was Henry to Genevieve Bujold's Anne Boleyn in "Anne of the Thousand Days" (1969).
Ray Winston gave us a cockney Henry VIII in the eponymous 2003 TV series.
Jonathan Rhys Myers appears as an uncharacteristically lithe and swarthy Henry in the TV series "The Tudors" (2007).