Aussie Movie Stars Need a Home #1 Quiz

Answer: Naomi Watts

Naomi Ellen Watts was born in the United Kingdom in 1968, moving to Australia with her family when she was 14. Both of her parents had worked in the entertainment industry. She acted in high school but left school without any firm career ideas. She worked at several jobs but an invitation to take part in an acting workshop inspired Naomi to take her acting further. Naomi was Oscar nominated for her role in '21 Grams'.

The clues in the question were the movies 'Mulholland Dr.' (2001), '21 Grams' (2003) and 'King Kong' (2005).

Kylie Minogue is an Aussie singer who has appeared in movies such as 'Moulin Rouge' (2001). Melissa George is an Australian actress, while Elle McPherson is an Australian model who has also acted in cameo roles.

Answer: Guy Pearce

Guy Edward Pearce was born in Cambridgeshire, England in 1967. His family migrated to Australia when he was three years old. He began acting while young and his television debut was in the Australian soap 'Neighbours' in 1986. He received an Emmy award in 2011 for his portrayal of Monty Beragon in the TV series 'Mildred Pierce' (2011). Kate Mestitz, a psychologist, became Guy's wife in 1997.

The movies referred to in the question were 'Hunting' (1991), 'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' (1994), 'L.A. Confidential' (1997), 'Memento (2000) and 'The Count of Monte Cristo' made in 2002.

Russell Crowe was Guy's co-star in 'L.A. Confidential'. He is a New Zealand born Aussie. Hugo Weaving was born in Nigeria but is another successful Aussie actor who starred in 'Priscilla'. Terence Stamp was also a leading actor in 'Priscilla' but he's a British actor, born in London.

Answer: Judy Davis

Judy Davis was born in Perth, Australia in 1955. A graduate of NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art), her career started with 'High Rolling' in 1977 and her career accolades include winning a BAFTA award and Oscar nominations. She married actor Colin Friels in 1984.

The movies referred to in the question were 'My Brilliant Career' (1979), 'A Passage to India' (1984), 'High Tide' (1987), 'Barton Fink' (1991), and 'Marie Antoinette' (2006). Rose Byrne and Helen Morse are Australian actresses, while Jennifer Hawkins is an Australian model who was Miss Universe.

Answer: Geoffrey Rush

Queenslander Geoffrey Roy Rush was born in Toowoomba in 1951. He attained an arts degree and made his debut theatre performance at the age of twenty for the Queensland Theatre Company. His accolades include an Oscar, Golden Globes, SAG and BAFTA awards. Geoffrey married actress Jane Menelaus in 1988.

The hints in the question were the movies 'Shine' (1996), 'Elizabeth' (1998), 'House on Haunted Hill' (1999), 'Lantana' (2001) and 'Frida' made in 2002. Jack Sparrow in the question refers to Johnny Depp's character in the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movies, in which Geoffrey Rush plays Captain Hector Barbossa.

The incorrect answers are all Australian actors, with George Lazenby being James Bond in 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' (1969).

Answer: Nicole Kidman

Nicole Mary Kidman was born in Hawaii, USA in 1967. Her parents were Australian and the family moved back to Australia when Nicole was four years old. Her first marriage was to Tom Cruise, who she worked with on 'Days of Thunder'. That marriage ended in 2001. Singer Keith Urban married Nicole in 2006. She has won an Oscar and a BAFTA Award amongst other recognitions of her work.

The movies referred to in the question were 'Emerald City' (1988), 'Far and Away' (1992), 'To Die For' (1995), 'The Hours' (2002) and 'Dogville' made in 2003.

Gemma Ward is primarily known for her modelling career but she has had small acting roles in movies. Mia and Judy are both Australian actresses.

Answer: Chips Rafferty

John William Pilbean Goffage (1909-1971) was born in the outback town of Broken Hill, NSW. His high schooling was taken in Sydney, but after he finished school he returned to the bush, undertaking jobs as diverse as pearl diving, sheep shearing and gold prospecting. These jobs stood him in good stead for the active, masculine roles that would later dominate his acting career in movies such as 'Forty Thousand Horsemen' (1941), 'The Rats of Tobruk' (1944) and 'The Overlanders' made in 1946. Despite the tough and laconic personas Chips played, he also had a softer side which wrote poetry and he was a talented artist. The nickname 'Chips' was given to him in his schooldays, and the surname of Rafferty was given to him by a moviemaker keen to emphasise his rugged appearance with a more manly name.

Other movies alluded to in the question were 'South West Pacific' (1943) and 'Bush Christmas' made in 1947. All the incorrect answers are Australian actors.

Answer: Rachel Griffiths

Rachel Griffiths was born in 1968 in Melbourne, Australia. She has a degree in drama and dance and began her acting career with a community theatre group. That training and experience was the start of a career which has seen Rachel nominated for both Oscar and Golden Globe awards. In 2002, Rachel married Andrew Thompson, an artist, in her home town of Melbourne.

The movies and television shows referred to in the question were 'Muriel's Wedding' (1994), 'My Best Friend's Wedding' (1997), 'Divorcing Jack' and 'Hilary and Jackie' (both 1998), 'Six Feet Under' (2001-05) and 'Brothers and Sisters' (2006-11 ). The incorrect answers are all Australian actresses who've had success in the USA in TV and movies.

Answer: Heath Ledger

Heath Andrew Ledger was born in Perth, Australia, in 1979. He began acting in school and left high school prior to graduation to pursue an acting career. One of his first leading roles was as Peter Pan in primary school. Nominated for an Oscar for 'Brokeback Mountain' (2006), he won an Oscar for his performance in 'The Dark Knight' (2008). The Oscar was accepted by his family as Heath had very sadly died a few months before due to a combination of prescription medications taken for his insomnia. An avid chess player, Heath was a junior state chess champion when only ten years old. He had hoped to direct and act in 'The Queen's Gambit', a movie based on the chess-related novel of the same name. Matilda Ledger, Heath's child, was born in 2005 to his former fiance, actress Michelle Williams.

The other movie referred to in the question was 'Ten Things I Hate About You' which he made in 1999. Paul Hogan and Same Worthington are Australian actors. Jake Gyllenhaal was Heath's co-star in 'Brokeback Mountain'.

Answer: Charles Tingwell

Charles William 'Bud' Tingwell was born in Sydney, Australia in 1923. His early career in show business was as a radio announcer, the youngest person on the air in Australia at the time. WW II intervened and Bud volunteered for the Royal Australian Air Force. Service took him to Canada, Europe and Indonesia and by 1944 he was a flight lieutenant. After the war he remained in the Air Force Reserves for several years while he pursued an acting career. He made some movies in Australia and then moved to England with his wife. Roles came to Bud in both film and television. He was seen in England's 'Emergency - Ward 10' playing an Aussie doctor, and he played Inspector Craddock to Margaret Rutherford's Miss Marple in the movies made from Agatha Christie's books.

Bud and family moved back to Australia in 1973. 'Homicide', the fabulous Australian cop show, starred Bud as Inspector Reg Lawson. He played minor roles in movies such as 'Breaker Morant' (1980) but younger viewers will know him as Lawrence Hammill Q.C. in 'The Castle'. He won everyone's heart by showing that lawyers are human and have a heart. Bud died in 2009 aged 86. He was given a state funeral in Melbourne as a sign of the respect and love the community held for Bud.

Movies referred to in the question were 'Bitter Springs' (1950), 'Desert Rats' (1953), 'Malcolm' (1986), 'The Castle' (1997) and 'Jindabyne' made in 2006. The incorrect answers are all Australian actors who appeared in 'Homicide' in leading roles.

Answer: Russell Crowe

Russell Ira Crowe was born in Wellington, New Zealand in 1964. He moved to Australia with his family when he was four then moved back to New Zealand at age 14. His parents were in the movie industry as caterers so Russell made his first appearance at an early age in the TV show 'Spyforce' in 1972. His movie career started with 'Blood Oath' in 1990. Oscar success came with 'Gladiator' which was made in 2000. Russell married Australian singer Danielle Spencer in 2003.

The movies referred to in the question were 'Spotswood' (1992), 'The Quick and the Dead' (1995), 'Mystery, Alaska' and 'The Insider' (both 1999). The incorrect answers are all known as Australian actors.