The Life and Times of Sal Mineo Quiz

Answer: Bronx, New York

His father was a casketmaker. Sal had two brothers and a sister.

Answer: His mother thought it would keep him out of trouble

Sal lived in a tough neighborhood and his mother thought it would save him from the streets. By the age of seventeen, he had an Oscar Nomination.

Answer: The King and I

Sal played the young prince in the Broadway version of "The King and I." Yul Brynner won the 1952 Tony for this role, along with the 1956 Academy Award.

Answer: John

Sal received his first Oscar nomination for this film at the age of 17. One of the great classic American films, "Rebel" was the first movie that portrayed teens in a true light. Released only days after James Dean's death, it is what locked him into icon status. I had the privilege of seeing this film on the big screen at a 45th anniversary revival. Frank Mazzolla, who played Crunch in the film, was the host. He had very fond memories of Sal. By the way, Sal's character in "Rebel" was named John Crawford.

Answer: Dennis Hopper

Dennis Hopper played Goon in "Rebel" and Jordan Benedict III in "Giant," where he was the son of Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor.

Answer: The Switchblade Kid

Sal often played the misunderstood rebel. Because of his dark, ethnical look, he frequently was cast as Latino, like in "Giant" and other films, even though he was Sicilian. He also did films where he played Native American and Jewish characters.

Answer: drummer

Gene Krupa was one of the great drummers of the Jazz Age. Though the actual drumming in the film was recorded by Krupa himself, Sal learned to play the drums so he would look like he knew what he was doing. Susan Kohner played his girlfriend, Ethel. Susan was a powerhouse actress who quit making films in the sixties to raise a family.

A whole new generation of movie fans should thank her for it! Her son, Paul, directed "American Pie" and he and his brother, Chris, were executive producers on "American Pie 2."

Answer: Paul Newman

"Somebody Up There Likes Me" was originally slated to star James Dean before his untimely death. That would have been the third movie he and Sal would have done together. "Exodus", in which Sicilian Sal plays a Jewish immigrant, was his second Oscar nomination.

Answer: John Wayne

"The Longest Day" is a great film about the invasion of Normandy. I wonder if the only credential you needed to be in this film was to be a white male with a SAG card! Others in this film are Eddie Albert, Mel Ferrer, Jeffrey Hunter, George Segal and Rod Steiger.

Answer: homosexuality

Unlike many Hollywood stars, Sal was open about his homosexuality. He did many films and plays on the subject, though some said it hurt his career the more open he became. But he paved the way for others to be more open about themselves and for this, he is a true trailblazer.

Answer: Don Johnson

Staying with his controversial projects, Sal won rave reviews with his productions in both New York and Los Angeles.

Answer: A Streetcar Named Desire

"Apes" was not exactly Sal's favorite movie. By this time, he was looking for film work to help fund his controversial stage plays that were successful, but no one wanted to finance them.

Answer: Rock Hudson

Sal made many television appearances throughout his career. From "Mission Impossible" and "Hawaii 5-O," to his appearance as himself on the "Patty Duke Show," in the episode "Patty Meets a Celebrity." My favorite "funding for theater" job would definitely be the fact that Sal narrated a segment about the dangers of LSD for a series of 60's drug education films.

Answer: homicide

Sal was stabbed to death in the driveway outside the carport of his Los Angeles apartment. Neighbors heard him screaming for his life as they saw the assailant run away. His killer didn't know him. Sal was murdered while being robbed. The 2002 film version of "P.S Your Cat is Dead" is dedicated to the memory of Sal.

Answer: True

Mr. Williams is the man who was arrested and sentenced to life in prison for Sal's murder. Sal Mineo is buried in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York, with his older brother, Michael. I didn't discover Sal until nine years after he died, but he is still an icon in my heart. Thanks, Sal, for all you gave us.