Child Stars Past and Present Trivia Quiz

Answer: Jackie Coogan

The "Coogan Law" protects child stars from misuse of their funds from the adults in their lives. Jackie Coogan worked in both movies and television, until his death in 1984, including the role of Uncle Fester in the 1960's "The Addams Family" tv series.

His grandson, Keith Coogan, is also an actor, known best for his roles in "The Adventures in Babysitting" and "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter is Dead."

Answer: Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner was Mickey's first wife. Lana Turner was Mickey's co-star in the first of his many Andy Hardy movies, "Love Finds Andy Hardy," as was Judy Garland. Betty Grable was married to, among others, Jackie Coogan. Mickey and Judy Garland were the best of friends from their teen years until her death in 1969. FYI-Ava and Lana did share a husband, band leader Artie Shaw. Keeping it all in this question, Judy Garland had a big crush on Artie and was devastated when Lana married him.

Answer: Shirley Temple

The poster girl for the great Hollywood Child Star, Shirley was almost cast as Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz." Both Shirley Jones and Shirley MacLaine were named for her.

Answer: Frances Gumm

Judy has an interesting chapter in the fight for gay rights in America. The 1969 riots at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village are said to have started when patrons were upset their bar was being raided the day of Judy's funeral, since she was an icon in the gay community.

This was the beginning of the gay rights movement. On the one year anniversary of the riots, the first gay rights march was held down Christopher Street in the Village. This was the first time the rainbow flag was used as a sign of gay rights, in honor of Judy's trademark song, "Over the Rainbow."

Answer: True

Though many juvenile Oscars had been given, Patty won the first Academy Award by the votes of Academy members. Sixteen years old when she won her Oscar, she became the youngest person to have a television show named after her, "The Patty Duke Show." She later starred in the great "bad" movie of all-time "Valley of the Dolls," a film Judy Garland was fired from.

Answer: Sally Field

Richard Dreyfuss, my favorite living actor, was friends with Carrie Fisher and Rob Reiner at Beverly Hills High School. They are still supportive friends today. Rick pops up in Rob's films from time to time and they both had cameos in the film "Postcards From the Edge" which was based on Carrie's semi-autobiographical novel.

Answer: professional baseball

Kurt was ten years old when he appeared in 1963's "It Happened at the World's Fair" with Elvis Presley. He played AA baseball for the California Angels until a torn shoulder muscle ended his career in 1973. He went on to play Elvis in the 1979 tv film "Elvis," was an Elvis impersonator in 2001's "3000 Miles to Graceland" and did the voice of Elvis in 1994's "Forrest Gump.

Answer: Taxi Driver

She found it bizarre she needed to see a shrink to prove she was "normal enough" to play a teen-age prostitute in "Taxi Driver." She must be okay. She had won two Oscars by the time she was thirty.

Answer: Patty Duke

Though she no longer acts, Quinn did have some great experiences during her short stint in Hollywood. After losing the 1977 Oscar she was using the bathroom during the ceremony. There was an older woman there who told her she was sorry she had lost but she would have other chances since she was a talented little girl.

Then the woman asked Quinn if she knew who she was. When she said no, the woman told her to go back out and tell her mother she had just met Bette Davis.

Answer: Sixteen Candles

Remember Molly Ringwald's annoying little brother, Mike? That was the heartbreaking little boy from "Kramer vs. Kramer" Justin Henry! After quitting acting to attend college, Justin can now be found in small, independent films. Dear Hollywood Big Wigs, Great actor named Justin Henry working in little movies. Give him a big-time contract, fast! He is the major talent you have been searching for!

Answer: Legends of the Fall

Henry played Samuel, the brother who dies in World War I, in "Legends of the Fall." He was also in the 1998 television version of "Moby Dick" and 2002's "Gangs of New York." His audition for "E.T." was so impressive he was hired on the spot.

Answer: yes

In his early career, including "Parenthood" he was billed under the name Leaf Phoenix. He was quiet, suffering Gary, the teen-age son of Dianne Wiest. Though today I don't think he looks like his fellow child-star brother River, in the "Parenthood" era, the resemblance is obvious.

In the short-lived television show based on the film, the role of Gary was played by a young, unknown actor named Leonardo DiCaprio.

Answer: Michael Jackson

Mac faded from the spotlight in his teen years, making a comeback on stage in 1995. His long awaited film comeback was in 2003's "Party Monster."

Answer: Murphy Brown

Then Vice-President Dan Quayle was upset Murphy Brown would casually have a child out of wedlock. That child was Avery, played by Haley Joel Osment. Haley starred with Helen Hunt in 2000's "Pay it Forward." Helen Hunt got her first job, a television movie called "Pioneer Women," when she was ten.

Answer: Apocalypse Now

Scheduled to be shot in six months but lasting over a year, "Apocalypse Now" is famous for the trouble had while making the film. Star Martin Sheen had a heart attack, the set was destroyed by a typhoon, and cast member Marlon Brando was, well, Marlon Brando. (Marlon has never been known for showing respect his directors.) Laurence Fishburne, billed in this film as Larry, lied about his age to get the job.

He played an American G.I. in this film at the age of fourteen.