"The Golden Girls" And The Oscars Quiz

Answer: Don Ameche

Ameche played a hospitalized Monk named Brother Martin with Rose serving as his perky candy striper. Their conversation turned to St. Olav, Minnesota (where Rose was raised) and it was learned that the Monk was Rose's Dad. He'd been in her town decades before and had stayed long enough, at least, to get 'comfortable' with the locals, especially Rose's mother.

She was later adopted and had little information on her blood parents but a Monk, of course, was certainly not what she'd bargained for in the patriarchal department of things. Don Ameche won his Oscar for playing the eager-for-youth break dancer (?) in "Cocoon" and he passed away in 1993 at 85 years old [which, incidentally, meant that he was only 14 years older than Rose/Betty White!].

Answer: Don Cheadle

Cheadle played young Roland Wilson, flustered and clearly the only one who knew anything much about hotel management. I suppose it is safe to say that "The Golden Palace" (1993) didn't really indicate the dramatic potential this gentleman had in him but, in that one season, his character had a foster son which afforded Cheadle the opportunity to show a side that generally never happened when he was playing straight man to the older women. If you watch him with the young boy a spark of lightning can be noticed, a strong and commanding sensibility. Mr. Cheadle was nominated for "Hotel Rwanda" and was born in 1964.

Answer: Rita Moreno

Moreno's character was Renee Corliss and her failed shot at a hit series came in 1987 but, in truth, the premise of the show would never have been as well-received as "The Golden Girls" was. The Corliss family went a little beyond 'quirky' and fell a little short in the 'pathos' neighborhood, too (but Moreno was likable - just not enough to make up for the rest who weren't).

She won her Oscar playing the delightful Anita in "West Side Story" and was born in 1931.

Answer: Jack Gilford

Gilford played Max Weinstock for a handful of episodes, the romance based on a historical friendship the Petrillos and Weinstocks had when all spouses were alive. He a widower and Sophia a widow, they tried to bring back the days gone by but their connection wasn't really a romantic one (in fact Sophia had come to hate Max over the years - but that misunderstanding got patched up).

They parted friends, no damage done by tying the knot. Jack Gilford's nomination came for "Save the Tiger" and he died in 1990.

Answer: George Clooney

This one was a good episode all around, the Clooney charisma already nicely in place. Blanche DID warm to Bobby straightaway but not lustfully, as was Blanche's general signature on men. This time she felt a maternal streak for the young guy and it was refreshing and sweet to see. Clooney, of course, won his Oscar for "Syriana" in 2006 and was nominated for Best Director and Best Screenplay for "Good Night, and Good Luck" all at the same time.

It was one of those times that if he hadn't won something that night a riot would have likely broken out. George was born in 1961.

Answer: Kevin McCarthy

McCarthy is a rather pedigreed actor (his family is notable; his sister being one-time well known novelist Mary McCarthy). His nominated role came in the classic "Death of a Salesman" in which he played the complicated Biff Loman [Frederic March played his sullen father Willy].

His promising career took a few sputters as time passed, the highs being "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (an actually decent film, despite its laughable title) and the lows coming in like "Fast Food" in 1991. Richard and Blanche never made it on "Girls" since he wanted a mother for his neglected children and Blanche, naturally, had hung up her maternal skills or desires for more some years prior to bumping into him. McCarthy was born in 1914.

Answer: Burt Reynolds

In my opinion this was one of the more memorable episodes with Sophia being left out of a visit to Reynolds' Florida theater. En route Blanche, Rose and Dorothy are busted at their hotel for, of all things, prostitution! This frees up Sophia to snatch their tickets and go meet Burt in person (and leaving the ladies in jail while she did it).

He came to pick up the peahen-like Sophia the next day for lunch. Mr. Reynolds was nominated in 1997 for "Boogie Nights" and was heavily expected to win. He didn't, being bested by Robin Williams. Burt was born in 1936.

Answer: Geraldine Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald played Anna (the world-weary Mother) and Martha Lamont (the embittered realist ready to give up) in the show but really grabbed the screen in her mid-20s as poor Isabella, the otherwise sweet young girl who foolishly married Heathcliff and suffered miserably for it in the old film "Wuthering Heights".

She was not named the winner but worked steadily until soon before her death in 2005 at 91. A very eclectic career and a life well spent nicely sums up the often overlooked Miss Fitzgerald.

Answer: Mickey Rooney

In a competitive race Rooney was nominated twice: for "Babes In Arms" (1939) and "The Black Stallion" 40 years later. He won a special Oscar in 1939 for his work as a juvenile star for, specifically, "Boys Town". As a young man he was untouchable at the box office what with his Andy Rooney films and couplings with Judy Garland sure-fire hits but, as happens, his career went dry as he got deeper into adulthood.

The character parts began to flourish in his golden years, though, and he remains a lot of fun to watch. Rooney was born in 1920.

Answer: Brenda Vaccaro

Vaccaro was remembered for her semi-nude scene in 1969's "Midnight Cowboy" but was up for an Oscar playing man-chasing Linda Riggs in the otherwise dreadful feature "Once Is Not Enough" (it was MORE than enough, I assure you) in 1976. Until later in life, when her physicality changed, she was usually playing hormonal types on the prowl.

Her turn in "The Golden Girls" was perfectly played. She was a strong, tolerant and fair woman who loved her man for what he was and just accepted all of his (rather large) shortcomings. Brenda was born in 1939.