Coming to America-Noteworthy Naturalized Citizens Quiz / Test | People

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1. Actor Pierce Brosnan was born May 16, 1953, in Ireland, don't you know? He was trained as an actor at the London Drama Centre, graduating in 1975. After theatre work in Europe, he moved to California in 1982. He would go on to play Ian Fleming's British spy, James Bond, (who preferred his martinis shaken, not stirred) in four films. In which of the following Bond flicks did Pierce Brosnan NOT appear?

Answer: On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Australian born George Lazenby played the dapper Bond in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969). In addition to the three films listed above, Brosnan also played Bond in "The World is Not Enough" (1999).
On American TV he starred as the title character in the lighthearted detective series, "Remington Steele". The show ran for 94 episodes between 1982-1987.
Pierce Brosnan maintains dual citizenship of both the U.S. and Ireland, having become a naturalized American citizen on September 23, 2004.

2. Patrick Ewing was a collegiate and professional basketball star for over 20 years. He was a two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner as a member of the U.S.A.'s 1984 (Los Angeles), and 1992 (Barcelona) teams. After a storied college career, he was the number one pick in the 1985 National Basketball Association (N.B.A.) draft. He went on to play in the N.B.A. from 1985-2002, spending 1985-2000 as a member of the New York Knicks, who later retired his uniform number 33. On which Caribbean Island was Patrick Ewing born?

Answer: Jamaica

Patrick Ewing was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on August 5, 1962.
While playing for the Georgetown "Hoyas", the 7' center led them to the college title in 1984. He was the N.B.A. Rookie-of-the-Year in 1986, and an 11 time All-Star. Ewing averaged 21 points-per-game over his 14 year N.B.A. career.
Patrick Ewing, who became a U.S. citizen while matriculating at Georgetown University (1981-1985), was inducted into the N.B.A. Hall of Fame in 2008.
He is a dual citizen of the U.S.A. and Jamaica.

Interesting fact: While attending Georgetown, Patrick Ewing was at one time an intern for Republican Senator Bob Dole of Kansas.

3. Who is the first person you think of when someone says "genius"? Many people would instantly reply, Albert Einstein. He was born in Germany on March 14, 1879. He is most famously known for developing the General Theory of Relativity. Before relocating to America he had held citizenship of Switzerland (1901-1955) and Austria-Hungary (1911-1912). Luckily for him, Einstein was visiting the U.S. when Hitler seized control of the Deutschland. He decided to remain, and became a naturalized citizen in 1940. (He had renounced his German citizenship seven years earlier). On June 2, 1919, he married Elsa Lowenthal and settled in Princeton, N.J. What was somewhat unusual about that marriage?

Answer: Elsa was his cousin.

Elsa, his second wife, was a maternal first cousin, and paternal second cousin. Einstein had previously been married to Mileva Maric from 1903 until they divorced in 1919. Einstein spoke often with President Franklin Roosevelt and was instrumental in the formation of "The Manhattan Project", which led to the development of the atomic bomb. An avowed anti-racist, Einstein was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (N.A.A.C.P). Albert Einstein was chosen "Person of the Century", by "Time" magazine in 1999.

Interesting fact: Shortly before Albert Einstein died in 1955, Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion offered him the title of President of Israel.
He declined, claiming he didn't have the experience to handle such a responsibility. I have a feeling the brilliant Einstein would have found a way to manage it.

4. Gene Simmons, lead singer for the rock band, KISS, is well known for the extreme, some may say bizarre, make-up and wardrobe in which he performs. Known as "The Demon", Simmons was a member of several bands including The Missing Links and The Long Island Sounds before co-founding KISS with Paul Stanley in 1973. He and his mom left their native land in 1957 to come to America. What is Gene Simmon's country of birth?

Answer: Israel

The man we know as Gene Simmons was born as Chaim Witz on August 25, 1949, in
Tirat HaCarmel, Israel. He has been a naturalized American citizen since 1963.
He made about a dozen films (1975-2010), in which he proved that as an actor he was a great rock singer (and guitarist). Simmons and his fellow KISSers released over 40 albums, more than 55 singles and made in excess of 30 music videos between 1974-2012. Along the way, they have sold over 100 million records, and won a Golden Globe for their 1977 single, "Beth".
In October, 2011 Gene Simmons married his long-time girlfriend, Canadian actress, Shannon Tweed, who became well known as a former "Playboy Playmate of the Year" (1982).

5. Jennifer Granholm, born February 5, 1959 is a native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. When she was four years old, her family moved to warmer climes, settling in America's west coast state of California. Initially she entertained thoughts of a career in Hollywood, but abandoned that idea to concentrate on an entirely different field...politics. In 2003 she accomplished what no woman had ever done before when she became the first female governor of a certain Midwest state. Which one of the contiguous 48 states helped her make a bit of political history? Hint: It's nickname is "The Wolverine State".

Answer: Michigan

Jennifer Granholm became Michigan's 47th governor on January 1, 2003, after defeating Republican challenger Dick Posthumus who had been the state's lieutenant governor. She would win a second term four years later by defeating Republican Dick DeVos, capturing 56% of the vote. After attaining her U.S. citizenship in 1980, she worked for the presidential campaign of Independent candidate John Anderson. Prior to becoming governor, Ms. Granholm served as Michigan's Attorney General from January 1999-January 2003.
Michigander Dan Mulhern became her husband in 1996.
In 2004 Jennifer Granholm was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.

Interesting fact: Michigan had two other foreign born governors before her.
Guv number 26, Fred Warner, was born across the pond in England, and John Swanson, Michigan's 42nd chief executive was, like Ms. Granholm, a native of Canada.

6. Greta Garbo, one of the great Hollywood actresses of the 1930s was born with the marquee unfriendly moniker of Greta Gustafsson on September 18, 1905 in Stockholm, Sweden. After acting in silent films in Europe, she caught the eye of a Hollywood mogul who saw her perform in "The Saga of Gosta Berling" (1924). He approached her and signed her to a contract to come and star in Hollywood films, and she arrived there in 1925. Who was the studio executive who discovered the stunning yet reclusive actress who mostly preferred to be left alone?

Answer: Louis B. Mayer

Her first film for MGM was "Torrent" (1926). The first picture with sound that she made was "Anna Christie" (1936). She received an Academy Award Nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of the title character. Additional Best Actress nominations came for "Romance" (1930), "Camille" (1936) and finally for "Ninotchka" (1939). Her role as the dancer Grusinskaya, was a departure from her usual role, as "Ninotchka" was a comedy that cast Bela Lugosi ("Dracula"-1931) as the Russian Commissar Razinin, and co-starred Melvin Douglas. Russian government officials, not particularly known for their sense of humor, didn't find it all that amusing and the film was banned in their country. Back in the United States "Ninotchka" was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar but lost out to "Gone With the Wind", the brilliant adaption of Margaret Mitchell's only published novel. American citizenship day for Ms. Garbo came on February 9, 1951. She retired from acting in 1947 at the age of 36. So reclusive was the Great Garbo that she rarely gave interviews, never signed autographs or responded to any of the thousands of letters she received from her fans. In addition, she never went to an Academy Award presentation-even when she was a nominee for an award. In 1954, Greta Garbo was selected by the Motion Picture Industry to receive an Academy Honorary Award. The statuette had to be sent to her by mail, since true to form she was a no-show for the occasion. Ms. Garbo purchased an apartment in New York City in 1953, where she lived until her death in 1990, at the age of 84.

Interesting fact: In 1999, The American Film Institute (A.F.I.) named Greta Garbo number five on their list of the greatest female stars of all-time.

7. Nadia Comaneci is best known for the stunning Olympic success she enjoyed as a gymnast in the course of four years. Trained by the legendary coach Bela Karoli, she won a total of nine Olympic medals during the 1976 and 1980 games. She retired from competition in 1981 and in 1989 she defected from her Communist ruled country. From which Eastern Block nation did she make her escape?

Answer: Romania

At the 1976 Olympic games in Montreal, Nadia Comaneci won three gold medals and a silver medal as well. Four years later at the games in Moscow, she took home 2 gold medals along with three silvers and a bronze. When Nadia initially left Romania she settled in Canada before moving to Oklahoma, in the U.S. After the fall of Communism in Romania she traveled back home, where in 1996 she married ex-American gymnast, Bart Connor. Nadia Comaneci became a naturalized American citizen in June, 2001, and became a mom when she gave birth to a son, Dylan, on June 3, 2006, in Oklahoma. At the 1976 Olympic games in Montreal, Nadia Comaneci won three gold medals and a silver medal as well. Four years later at the games in Moscow, she took home 2 gold medals along with three silvers and a bronze. When Nadia initially left Romania she settled in Canada before moving to Oklahoma, in the U.S. After the fall of Communism in Romania she traveled back home, where in 1996 she married ex-American gymnast, Bart Connor. Nadia Comaneci became a naturalized American citizen in June, 2001, and became a mom when she gave birth to a son, Dylan, on June 3, 2006, in Oklahoma.

Interesting fact: In 1981, Nadia Comaneci's ex-coach Bela Karoli and his wife Marta also defected to America, settling in Texas.

8. Wolfgang Puck is a famous Austrian born celebrity chef-restaurateur-author, and occasional actor. He was born July 8, 1949 as Wolfgang Topfschnig, and took the name Puck from his adoptive father, Joseph. After extensive training in Europe, including time spent at the famous Maxim's restaurant in Gay Paree, he made his way to America at he age of 24. In 1982 he opened an eatery which quickly became the "in" place to go to eat, see, and be seen in Hollywood, California. What was the name of that gourmet paradise?

Answer: Spago

Fifteen years later he would add another "Spago", this time in Beverly Hills. Wolfgang Puck owns more than 20 restaurants in the U.S. He won a Daytime Emmy for his TV show in 2002, has written a handful of cookbooks, and his foundation has raised over $15 million for the "Meals on Wheels" project.
Wolfgang Puck who became a naturalized American citizen in September 1997, was inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame in 2013.

Interesting fact: Wolfgang Puck's father was, not surprisingly, a butcher by trade.

9. One of the most prolific singer-songwriters of the 1950s-1960s was Canadian born Paul Anka. Born July 30, 1941, in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, he has recorded dozens of albums, more than 65 singles, and sold in excess of 15 million records worldwide, in a career that has spanned over 55 years. In 1962, Paul Anka wrote one of the most familiar themes songs for a TV show. Can you pick the proper program?

Answer: The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Paul Anka, who became a naturalized U.S. citizen September 6, 1990, wrote songs for other entertainers as well as the ones he sang himself. His, "She's a Lady" was one of Tom Jones' biggest hits in 1971, and he gave Francis Albert Sinatra his iconic classic, "My Way", which he recorded in 1969. Paul Anka recorded three number one "Billboard" best sellers including, "Diana" (1957) which sold over nine million copies and became his signature song. His other two chart toppers were "Lonely Boy" (1959), and "(You're) Having My Baby" (1974). His 1976 recording of "The Times of Your Life" was first written by Anka as an advertising jingle for the Kodak Camera Company.
Paul Anka was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 1993, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The story of Paul Anka's life is told in "My Way: An Autobiography" which was published April 9, 2013.

10. For over 35 years Gloria Estefan (nee Garcia) has been one of the most popular and successful singer-songwriers in the music world. Born in Havana, Cuba, September 1, 1957, she was raised primarily in Florida, U.S.A. She has won nine Grammy Awards and is credited with sales of over 100 million records. In 1978 she married Emilio Estefan, the leader of a band of which she would become an integral part. Do you recall the name of that group?

Answer: The Miami Sound Machine

Gloria Garcia married Emilo Estefan September 2, 1978. Over the next dozen years or so she was The Miami Sound Machines's lead singer, turning out hit after hit. Among her most popular tunes were "Conga", "Words Get in the Way", "Rhythm is Gunna Get You", "Anything for You"*, Don't Wanna Lose You"*, "Get on Your Feet" and "Coming Out of the Dark".
*Reached Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 list.
Gloria and Emilio were awarded the Sammy Kahn Lifetime Achievement Award by the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001.
In 2009 she bought a part ownership in the Miami Dolphins, becoming the first Hispanic to have a financial interest in a National Football League (N.F.L) team. In 2011 "Billboard" magazine slotted her in the 14 spot on their list of all-time Adult Contemporary artists. Gloria Estefan was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005.
The Ellis Island Congressional Medal is the highest award a naturalized citizen can attain. It was awarded to Gloria Estefan in 1993.

The list of other well known naturalized American citizens includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, Salma Hayek, Charo ("The Coochie-Coochie Girl"), Heidi Klum, Carlos Santana, Alexander Graham Bell, Cary Grant, Hedy Lamarr, and those Hungarian beauties, the Gabor sisters.

Source: Author paulmallon

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Coming to America-Noteworthy Naturalized Citizens Quiz

For centuries, millions have flocked to the shores of the United States seeking citizenship. Most settled into America's daily life, while others became quite well known. Here are ten noteworthy folks who came to become famous Americans, "naturally".

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