Classic Actors Trivia Quiz

Answer: James Stewart

This film was made in 1939 and directed by Frank Capra. After being in Hollywood for 4 years, this film set James Stewart as a Hollywood legend. He was nominated for his first Academy Award for this film, but did not win until the following year for "The Philadelphia Story". Many people this was an act by the Academy to apologize for overlooking him in 1939.

Answer: Gary Cooper

Gary Cooper is an enduring Hollywood legend whose films are making a comeback in popularity. Like his good friend Jimmy Stewart, Cooper was a sort of Everyman in films. Also like Stewart, Cooper was nominated five times for Best Actor and won twice for the films listed in the question in 1941 and 1952.

He was also given an Honorary Oscar which was accepted by Jimmy Stewart because Coop was too ill to himself. Gary Cooper died in May 1961 of lung cancer. He was 60 years old.

Answer: Henry Fonda

Henry Fonda is legendary actor who has inspired many including members of his family to carry on the Fonda tradition of acting. Fonda was nominated for two Best Actor Oscars in 1940 and 1982 in which he won for "On Golden Pond". He was given an Honorary Oscar the previous year."On Golden Pond" co-starred Katherine Hepburn and his daughter Jane Fonda.

A few weeks after he was given the Oscar, Henry Fonda died on August 12, 1982.

Answer: John Wayne

John Wayne represents America to many people around the world. He was tall, strong, handsome and had that famous walk. He starred in over 150 films and was nominated for two Best Actor Oscar, one of which he won in 1969 for "True Grit". John Wayne passed away on June 11, 1979 at the age of 72.

Answer: True

William Holden was one of the most popular actors of the 1950's. He starred in many of the decades most famous films like "Sunset Blvd.", "Stalag 17", "Sabrina", "The Country Girl", "Picnic" and "The Bridges at Toko Ri". He was also the guest star on one of the funniest "I Love Lucy" episodes in the show's run.

He was very handsome and had a large movie star appeal. Holden was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar three times in 1951 for "Sunset Blvd.", 1953 for "Stalag 17" (won) and 1977 for "Network". William Holden died on November 16, 1981 at the age of 63.

Answer: Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart is one of the most enduring actors of the 20th century. He starred in almost 90 films but was listed #1 on AFI's List of Top 25 Actors of all time. Humphrey Bogart was married to Lauren Bacall and has even inspired the Bogart Collection at Thomasville Furniture. He died on January 14, 1957 at the age of 58.

Answer: William Powell

William Powell starred in almost 100 films in about 33 years. He was nominated for three Best Actor Oscars in "The Thin Man" (1934), "My Man Godfrey" (1936) and "Life With Father" (1947), but never won. Detective Nick Charles were his most famous characters co-starring Myrna Loy. Powell's last film was "Mister Roberts" (1955) co-starring Henry Fonda, Jack Lemmon, and James Cagney in which he played the ship's doctor. William Powell died on March 5, 1984 of cardiac arrest.

He was 92 years old.

Answer: James Cagney

James Cagney starred in more than 70 films during his career (twice portraying George M. Cohan). He was known as Hollywood's "Tough Guy" starring in many of the classic gangster films like "Angels Withe Dirty Faces" (1938). Cagney was probably the shortest leading actor at 5ft 6in.

He was nominated three times in the Best Actor category: "Angels With Dirty Faces" (1938), 1942's "Yankee Doodle Dandy" (won) and "Love Me or Leave Me" (1956). James Cagney died on March 30, 1986 at the age of 86.

Answer: Gene Kelly

One of the most talented men of the 20th century, Gene Kelly could act, dance, sing and choreograph (which he did in many of his films) and direct. He made everything he did look easy, although he was a perfectionist and practiced night and day. Gene Kelly also helped start a fashion trend with rolled up shirts and khakis, white socks and loafers.

He was handsome and a huge hit in the 1940s and 1950s. Gene Kelly was nominated for one Oscar in "Anchors Aweigh" (1946) and received an Honorary Oscar in 1952 "In appreciation of his versatility as an actor, singer, director, and dancer, and specifically for his brilliant achievements in the the art of choreography on film." Gene Kelly died on February 2, 1996 at the age of 83.

Answer: Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra has to be the Best Voice of the 20th Century. His famous tenor voice is unmistakable but more than just sing and party with the Rat Pack on stage in Las Vegas, Sinatra acted. His best role came in "From Here to Eternity" (1953) co-starring Montgomery Clift, Burt Lancaster, Ernest Borgnine, Donna Reed and Deborah Kerr in which portrayed Pvt. Angelo Maggio.

He was a little shocked when along with Donna Reed for Best Supporting Actress, Sinatra came away with the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Sinatra was also in such great films as "On the Town", "Take Me Out To the Ballgame", "Young At Heart", and "Ocean's Eleven".

The Chairman of the Board died on May 14, 1998 at the age of 82.