Who Said What in "The Big Lebowski" Quiz

Answer: The Dude

Spoken by Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski, played by Jeff Bridges, early in the film, in response to one of Jackie Treehorn's bruisers asking him about a bowling ball. While "The Big Lebowski" flew under the radar at the time of its release, Bridges later won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in 2009's "Crazy Heart".

Answer: Walter

Walter Sobchak, played by John Goodman, says this to The Dude shortly after pulling a gun on Smokey, a fellow bowler, over a score dispute during a league game. This is one of many times that he brings up Vietnam, even when its actual relevance is questionable. "The Big Lebowski" was one of several collaborations between Goodman and the Coens, also including "Raising Arizona" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"

Answer: The Stranger

This is from the film's opening monologue, in voiceover by Sam Elliott. He shows up onscreen twice during the film, briefly talking to The Dude in the bowling alley and drinking sarsaparilla. Elliott is well known for his work in Westerns and as "tough guy" characters, everywhere from historical dramas like "Gettysburg" to more exotic films like "Frogs" and "The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then The Bigfoot".

Answer: Uli

This is said by the leader of the "Nihilists", played by Peter Stormare. He says this to Donny, Walter, and The Dude after learning that they don't have the million-dollar ransom he wants. Stormare also appeared as Gaear Grimsrud in the Coens' previous film, "Fargo".

Answer: The "Big" Lebowski

The "millionaire" Jeffrey Lebowski, played by David Huddleston, says this to The Dude in their second meeting, posed dramatically in front of his blazing fireplace. The Dude doesn't afford him the emotional response he seems to want. Huddleston, like Sam Elliott, had an extensive background in Western films, including "Blazing Saddles".

Answer: Brandt

Brandt, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, is the Big Lebowski's assistant and caretaker. He says this to The Dude about Bunny a total of three times in the scene quoted. Hoffman later won the Academy Award for Best Actor for 2005's "Capote", in which he played Truman Capote.

Answer: Jackie Treehorn

Jackie Treehorn, played by Ben Gazzara, says this to The Dude in the only scene in which he appears, despite his centrality to the plot. He meets with The Dude as part of his own search for Bunny Lebowski a few days after his henchmen mistake The Dude for the "Big" Lebowski. Gazzara had previously appeared with Sam Elliott in "Road House".

Answer: Maude Lebowski

Maude Lebowski, played by Julianne Moore, is an artist and the "Big" Lebowski's only child. She says this to The Dude in reference to her father and, more subtly, her stepmother, Bunny. Moore later won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in 2014's "Still Alice".

Answer: Da Fino

Da Fino, played by Jon Polito, is a private detective hired by Bunny Lebowski's parents to find her even before her apparent kidnapping. He says this to The Dude, who he sees as a kindred spirit; the Dude asks him if that's "like an Irish monk." Polito had previously played a detective on "Homicide: Life on the Street".

Answer: Donny

Donny Kerabatsos, played by Steve Buscemi, says this to Walter and The Dude after misunderstanding a tangent about V.I. Lenin. The Coens wrote Donny, who can never get a word in, specifically for Buscemi who spoke endlessly as Carl Showalter in their previous collaboration, "Fargo".