Died in the 2010s Trivia

1. Penny Marshall was born in the Bronx, she died on December 17th, 2018 at 75-years-old. She was the first female director to make a film that grossed $100 million. What was it?

From Quiz New Yorkers Who Died in 2018

Answer: Big

Back in June of 1988, the box office hit "Big" grossed $115,227,281 for Fox Studios. "A League of Their Own" also broke the $100 million mark with $107,533,928 for Sony Studios, but that came later, in 1992. "Awakenings" was Ms. Marshall's only film nominated for a Best Picture Oscar, but it only made $52,096,475 back in 1990 for Columbia University. "Parenthood" also broke the $100 million mark, but it was directed by Ron Howard, her compadre from those days when they both were staples of American TV in "Happy Days" and "Laverne and Shirley."

From Quiz Rest in Peace: 2018

Answer: Neil Simon

Neil Simon is well known for the number of Oscars and Tonys he won. Many of the Oscars were for screenplays based on his plays that had already won a Tony! Simon Peter was one of the 12 apostles in the New Testament. Simon Templar is the fictional character known as The Saint. Arthur Miller is the Nobel Prize winning author of "Death of a Salesman" and many other plays.

From Quiz Deaths in 2018

Answer: Bush & George Bush & George H. W. Bush

George H.W. Bush died in November at age 94, less than a year after the passing of his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush. Bush was president 1989-1993, following the two terms of Ronald Reagan. He was denied a second term when he lost the 1992 election to Bill Clinton.

From Quiz Exit Stage Right; Passed Away in '16

Answer: David Bowie

Very few musicians have had the impact on the world's popular music scene like David Bowie born David Robert Jones (8 January 1947-10 January 2016). A master of re-invention, Bowie's music was not only an auditory experience but a visual medium as well with Bowie taking on "roles" such as Ziggy Stardust and "The Thin White Duke". Bowie was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 but kept this news private. The world was shocked when his death was announced in New York City where Mr Bowie lived. Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman born 21 February 1946, was an acclaimed British character actor who died on 14 January. Glenn Frey, co-founder and guitarist of the Eagles died, aged 67 on 18 January. Paul Kantner, Jefferson Airplane co-founder and guitarist, died at 74 on January 28, the same day as Signe Anderson, 74, the original Jefferson Airplane singer.

From Quiz Those Who We Lost in 2015

Answer: Cilla Black

Born Priscilla Maria Veronica White on 27th May 1943 in Liverpool, this popular entertainer, singer and actress became a British sweetheart from the 1960s onwards. One of her most popular songs was the 1964, 'Anyone Who Had a Heart', which reached number one in the UK singles chart. She was also a television personality and fronted 'Surprise Surprise' and 'Blind Date'. Her popular catchphrases included, 'Lorra lorra laughs' and 'Here's our Graham with a quick reminder'. She was awarded an OBE in 1997. She suffered a fatal stroke at her holiday home in Spain on 1st August 2015, aged 72.

From Quiz They Died in 2016

Answer: David Bowie

David Bowie was a singer and an actor. Among the many songs he recorded was the song "Space Oddity". He was also in the movie "Labyrinth" where he played The Goblin King. He died from liver cancer at age 69. At the time of his death, he was married to model Iman. They married in 1992.

From Quiz Those We Lost in 2016

Answer: Prince

Though small in stature, Prince Rogers Nelson loomed larger than life on stage. A master showman and musician, he received an Academy Award for Best Original Song for the film "Purple Rain." He went on to write songs for other artists which, not surprisingly, became hits for those artists. The Bangles scored a hit with "Manic Monday." Sheila E, who collaborated with Prince early in their careers, had a hit with "The Glamorous Life." Chaka Khan's 1984 hit "I Feel For You" sounds very much like Prince's early style.

From Quiz Deaths in 2015

Answer: Saudi Arabia

Abdullah took the Saudi throne in 2005 upon the death of his half-brother, King Faud. Another half-brother, Salmon, succeeded to the throne upon Abdullah's death. Abdullah is believed to have had about 30 wives, and to have fathered about 35 children.

From Quiz They Died in September/October 2014

Answer: The Electric Company

Produced by the same company as "Sesame Street", the Children's Television Workshop, this educational television series also featured the talents of Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno, Bill Cosby and Irene Cara. Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder also appeared in "The Adventures of Letterman" segment of the show, a superhero spoof that help children learn to read.

From Quiz They Died in August 2014

Answer: White House Press Secretary

Brady was shot in the head during an attempt on Reagan's life outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. In an early example of the media rush to scoop a story, Brady was announced as passed away by most media outlets. He officially remained as Press Secretary for he rest of Reagan's terms even though he was unable to perform his duties. Brady was paralyzed on his left side but eventually regained most of his speech. He and his wife Sarah became advocates for gun control.

From Quiz They Died in July 2014

Answer: Murphy's Romance

Sally Field is a 33 year old divorced mother who moves to an Arizona town and befriends a much older druggist played by Garner. William Hurt for "Kiss of the Spider Woman" beat Garner, Harrison Ford, Jon Voight and Jack Nicholson out for the prize. Garner's impressive list of work includes "Maverick", "The Rockford Files", "The Great Escape", "Victor Victoria", "Space Cowboys", "My Fellow Americans" and a memorable role in "The Notebook".

From Quiz In Memoriam - 2013

Answer: Michael Winner

Robert Michael Winner was born in Hampstead, North London, in 1935. Although he read law and economics at Cambridge, the movie business was always in his life: he began writing a showbiz gossip column in the "Kensington Post" when he was only 14. Winner directed numerous British films during the 1960s, working with the likes of Oliver Reed, Michael Crawford and Denholm Elliot. In 1971, he directed his first Hollywood picture, "Lawman" starring Robert Duvall and Burt Lancaster. Then came Marlon Brando in "The Nightcomers" and his first film with Bronson, the western "Chato's Land" in 1972. "Death Wish" followed two years later, forever defining the careers of both director and star. Always outspoken and a lover of the finer things in life, it should be no surprise that Winner took on the 'job' of restaurant critic for "The Sunday Times" in later life. He also set what may be a world record for a courtship -- he met the 16-year old ballet dancer Geraldine Lynton-Edwards when he was 21. Fifty years later they were engaged, and they finally tied the knot in 2011. Michael Winner died at his home in London aged 77 on January 21, 2013.

From Quiz They Died in June 2014

Answer: A Raisin in the Sun

An African-American family dreams of a better life in the 1961 movie version of the 1959 Broadway play. Ruby Dee also appeared in "Do the Right Thing", "Jungle Fever" and in the 2007 "American Gangster" where she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She and her long-time husband Ossie Davis were well known civil rights activists.

From Quiz They Died in May 2014

Answer: Bill Clinton

In 1993, Maya Angelou became the first poet since Robert Frost in 1961 to recite a poem at an inauguration. Her 1969 autobiography "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" was an empowering influence in the civil rights movement, illustrating much of the dignity that marked Angelou's life.

From Quiz They Died in April 2014

Answer: Colombia

Born in Aracataca, Colombia, Marquez was considered one of the most significant authors of the 20th century. He began his career as a journalist, later moving on to non-fiction works. He became best known for his novels focusing on the theme of solitude and the fictional village called Macondo. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982.

From Quiz They Died in February 2014

Answer: Judgment at Nuremberg

"Judgment at Nuremberg" follows a 1948 American trial in Germany of four Nazi judges for war crimes. The film also featured Spencer Tracy, Richard Widmark, Marlene Dietrich, Montgomery Clift, Judy Garland and William Shatner. A versatile actor, Schell also played Simon Bolivar, Peter the Great, Otto Frank, Albert Einstein and Vladimir Lenin at some point in his career.

From Quiz They Died in January 2014

Answer: Sharon suffered a stroke

Despite breaking away from the Likud to form the new Kadima party and political scandals, Sharon was expected to win the next election. Sharon spent eight years in a coma before his death.

From Quiz Americans Who Left Us in 2013

Answer: Ed Koch

Ed Koch (1924-2013) was of one the more controversial mayors of New York City (though most of the NYC mayors of 20th century could be described that way!), yet also one of the most popular and successful. During his administration, the once near-bankrupt Big Apple had a budget surplus of $500 million by 1983. In 1981, he was elected to his second term as mayor as the candidate for *both* the Republican and Democratic parties, a rarity in the USA even in the smallest of villages, and NYC had a population of over 7 million that year! Koch's "Mayor: An Autobiography" (1984) was a best-seller, and the feisty mayor hawked his book openly during his TV appearance on NBC's "Saturday Night Live". He was elected to a third term thanks to his popularity among blue-collar and Jewish voters, not to mention other ethnic groups, although he alienated advocates for the poor (whom he called "poverty pimps"). After his retirement, he appeared as a judge on the relaunch of "The People's Court" in 1997.

From Quiz They Died in December 2013

Answer: African National Congress

The African National Party (ANC) was founded in 1912. From 1948, anti-apartheid became the party's main platform. Imprisoned for 27 years, Mandela became the face of the anti-apartheid movement. Upon his release in 1990, his negotiations with President F.W. de Klerk led to the dismantling of apartheid and won the two of them the 1993 Nobel Peace prize. 1994 saw victory for the ANC with Mandela as president.

From Quiz They Died in the Summer 2013

Answer: Shah of Iran

Frost interviewed Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in Panama in January 1980. Deposed during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Pahlavi died in exile in Egypt six months later. Frost died of a heart attack on the cruise ship MS Queen Elizabeth where he was scheduled to be a guest speaker.

From Quiz They Died in June 2013

Answer: The cancelation of the Olympics

The 1940 Olympics were originally granted to Tokyo, Japan but later transferred to Helsinki, Finland. World War Two eventually resulted in their total cancellation. Williams turned her attention to acting, appearing in over two dozen movies most utilizing her swimming talents.

From Quiz They Died in April 2013

Answer: Chicago Sun-Times

Ebert was the first film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize. His column appeared in over 200 newspapers worldwide. Along with Gene Siskel, Ebert popularized the television film critic show.

From Quiz In Memoriam -- 2010

Answer: Erich Segal

Erich Wolf Segal was born in Brooklyn NY in 1937. An accomplished marathon runner (he ran every Boston marathon between 1955 and 1975) he was one of the TV commentators for Frank Shorter's historic win at the 1972 Olympics. Besides penning the screenplay for "Yellow Submarine", Segal wrote the best-selling American novel of 1970, "Love Story" and the screenplay for the subsequent hit movie. He died of a heart attack aged 72 in 2010. Two of the alternatives also produced best-selling 1970 books, James Dickey wrote "Deliverance" and Richard Bach wrote "Jonathan Livingston Seagull". Anthony Shaffer wrote the screenplay for one of the great movies of the 1970s, the 1970 classic "Sleuth".

From Quiz Why Did They Die?

Answer: drowning

While drugs may have played a part in her death, the actual ruling was accidental drowning. Whitney Houston was 48 years old when she died. She was survived by her ex-husband Bobby Brown and her daughter Bobbi Kristina. Whitney Houston was born on August 9, 1963. She was a well known pop star who sang the remake of "I Will Always Love You" as well as many other songs.

From Quiz They Died in February 2013

Answer: The People's Court

After being out of production for four years, "The People's Court" was revived with the former mayor as the judge. Plaintiffs and defendants in small claims cases agreed to dismiss their cases and be bound by the judge's decision. Koch only lasted two seasons but the revived series had new life and continued on with new judges.

From Quiz In Memoriam -- 2012

Answer: Neil Armstrong

Born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, Neil Alden Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon when he stepped out of the Apollo 11 'Eagle' on July 20, 1969. Of the alternatives, Idi Amin rose to power in the 1970s and died in 2003. Muhammad Ali and the Dalai Lama were both still alive going into 2013.

From Quiz Deaths in the News (American) - 2012

Answer: Butcher

"Marty" originally made its debut in 1953 on the NBC television anthology series "The Goodyear Television Playhouse", with Rod Steiger in the role of Marty Piletti, a kindly bachelor butcher from the Bronx whose bad luck in love changes when he meets Clara (Nancy Marchand), a plain woman who is jilted at a ballroom by her date. Paddy Chayefsky adapted his teleplay into a feature-length film in 1955, with Borgnine playing Marty and Betsy Blair opposite him as Clara. "Marty" won four Academy Awards - Best Picture, Best Director (Delbert Mann), Best Actor (Borgnine), and Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay (Chayefsky). Ernest Borgnine's lengthy career included many film and television appearances. Notably, Borgnine headlined the cast of the ABC-TV sitcom "McHale's Navy" (1962-66), earning an Emmy Award nomination for his work. He also starred in the CBS-TV action-adventure series "Airwolf", playing helicopter mechanic Dominic Santini during the show's network run, 1984-86. And he provided the voice of Mermaid Man, an aging superhero, on Nickelodeon's long-running cartoon "SpongeBob SquarePants". That job reunited him with fellow "McHale's Navy" star Tim Conway, who played Mermaid Man's sidekick, Barnacle Boy.

From Quiz They Died in January 2013

Answer: Tennessee Waltz

"Crazy" was Patsy Cline's song while "Your Cheatin' Heart" belongs to Hank Williams. Woody Guthrie is best known for "This Land is Your Land". The "Tennessee Waltz" was one of the biggest selling singles of the 20th century. It is also one of the official songs for the state of Tennessee.

From Quiz They Died in December 2012

Answer: The rescue of American diplomats in Iran

Canadian immigration officer John Sheardown and Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor provided sanctuary to six American diplomats who had evaded capture when the American embassy in Iran was seized in 1979. The diplomats were eventually smuggled out of the country.

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