August Celebrity Birthdays Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bert Lahr

Bert Lahr was born in New York City. Lahr achieved stardom as a comedian and as a vaudeville actor during the 1920s and 1930s. However, most people remember Lahr for his portrayal of Zeke/The Cowardly Lion in the 1939 classic movie "The Wizard of Oz". Lahr was able to use his vaudeville skills to great effect in the "Oz" film, and viewers readily identified with the humor of the Cowardly Lion.

In "The Wizard of Oz", Ray Bolger played Hunk, Jack Haley portrayed Hickory, and Frank Morgan played Professor Marvel.

Answer: Raging Bull

Robert De Niro was born on August 17, 1943, in New York City. In 1980, De Niro won an Oscar for his role as middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta in the movie "Raging Bull". This movie was a challenging role for De Niro- he had to gain more than 50 pounds and train regularly in the boxing ring in order to effectively showcase LaMotta's career in "Raging Bull". De Niro was widely praised for his portrayal of LaMotta as both a hard-charging pugilist and as an abusive husband. De Niro also won an Academy Award for his work in the 1974 movie "The Godfather, Part II." De Niro received Academy Award nominations for his work in "Taxi Driver" (1976) and 1978's "The Deer Hunter."

Answer: Best Director

Actor/director Robert Redford was born in California on August 18, 1936. Redford won an Academy Award as Best Director for his work in the 1980 film "Ordinary People". Redford skillfully directed such stars as Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland and Timothy Hutton to produce a first-class movie about the breakup of a family.

Answer: Painter

Gene Kelly was born on August 23, 1912, in Pennsylvania. In 1951, Kelly appeared in the popular 1951 musical "An American in Paris". Kelly played the role of Jerry Mulligan, a struggling artist who had been a soldier during World War II. Mulligan was befriended by a wealthy socialite (Nina Foch) who was not just interested in his art. Mulligan, however, was smitten by a young French woman named Lise (Leslie Caron).

This musical showcased the outstanding dancing talent of Kelly.

Answer: Scot Halpin

Keith Moon was born on August 23, 1946, in England. Moon gained prominence in the rock world for his dynamic and innovative style of drumming with The Who. He earned the nickname "Moon the Loon" for his outrageous behavior on and off the stage. On November 20, 1973, The Who were playing a concert at the Cow Palace in San Francisco (Daly City) when Moon passed out over his drum kit. Band member Pete Townshend asked the audience in earnest, "Can anybody play the drums?" An unknown drummer, named Scot Halpin, reluctantly volunteered to fill in for Moon. Mr. Halpin reportedly did a creditable job for The Who, and he received a Who concert jacket as a reward for his efforts. Halpin was later praised by singer Roger Daltrey for the extraordinary "relief pitching" performance.

Answer: Live and Let Die

Sean Connery was born on August 25, 1930, in Scotland. Connery gained fame in the role of secret agent James Bond, 007. He played Bond in several movies, including "You Only Live Twice" (1967), "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971), and "Never Say Never Again" (1983). Roger Moore, however, made his debut as James Bond in the 1973 film "Live and Let Die".

In "Live and Let Die", Bond attempted to thwart a Harlem drug lord named Mr. Big. Roger Moore introduced Bond fans to a hipper, more carefree 007. Many fans of Sean Connery were thus reluctant to accept Moore as the new Bond; they wanted to see the tough, old-style Bond character as portrayed by Connery.

Answer: ABC

Monty Hall was born in Manitoba on August 25, 1921. He rose to TV stardom in the 1960s and 1970s with the popular game show "Let's Make a Deal". The American Broadcasting Company television network aired "Let's Make a Deal" from December 1968 until July 1976. Monty Hall, model Carol Merrill and announcer Jay Stewart were the stars of this game show, along with the zany contestants who attempted to win secret treasures inside boxes and behind curtains.

Answer: Golda Meir

Legendary actress Ingrid Bergman was born in Sweden on August 29, 1915. Bergman played the role of Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in the 1982 Paramount Television production of "A Woman Called Golda". It was to be Bergman's final film role; she passed away from cancer just four months after completing the film. Bergman received a posthumous television Emmy Award for her work in "Golda". During her career, Bergman won two Emmy Awards, three Academy Awards and one Tony Award.

Answer: The Manufacturer

James Coburn was born in Nebraska on August 31, 1928. Coburn played Louis Sedgwick, an Australian fighter pilot, in the classic World War II movie "The Great Escape". Coburn's character was dubbed "The Manufacturer" for his ability to make tools and other necessary equipment - creations which would assist in the construction of three escape tunnels from a Luftwaffe prison camp. James Garner played "The Scrounger", Richard Attenborough was "Big X" and Charles Bronson played "The Tunnel King".

Answer: Gymnastics

Richard Gere was born on August 31, 1949, in Pennsylvania. While Gere was a student at North Syracuse (NY) Central High School, he was a member of the school's gymnastics team. After graduating from high school in 1967, Gere accepted an athletic scholarship in gymnastics to compete for the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Gere majored in philosophy but decided to leave UMASS after two years in order to pursue an acting career.