The Man in the White Cowboy Hat Quiz

Answer: Lash Larue

Alfred "Lash" Larue (1921-1996) was an early western actor known for his skill with the bullwhip which he used against the bad guys with amazing skill. He was so good with the whip that in his old age he mentored Harrison Ford in the 1980s while that actor studied for his role as Indiana Jones. And while he was known for wearing all black, he was always the good guy in his numerous film roles.

Answer: False

Totally false. Clayton Moore portrayed the Lone Ranger for 50 years and always wore a white hat, rode a beautiful white horse, and may have had the most recognizable theme song ever. Moore did do other movies under the name Clay Moore, but his name is forever joined to the Lone Ranger.

He was the first star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to have his character's name along with his name. It reads "Clayton Moore-The Lone Ranger". He did most of his own stunts and was elected to the Stuntman's Hall of Fame in 1982.

Answer: Gary Cooper

Possibly one of the best westerns ever made, "High Noon" is a story about civic responsibility and doing what is morally right. Gary Cooper turns in an award winning performance as a newly married sheriff who refuses to leave his job until he has fulfilled his duty as a man who wears the star on his chest. Coopers ill health can be seen in this movie that was shot in only 31 days, a task that would not be undertaken today.

This movie is listed as number 27 on the American Film Institutes's 2007 list of great films.

Answer: Tom Mix

Tom Mix made 160 cowboy films in which the "good guy" and "bad guy" roles were clearly defined. He sported a tall, white, ten-gallon cowboy hat, was clean-cut, well-mannered, and he always "saved the day". He did his own stunts including trick-riding, something that later stars were loathe to do. Mix was such an icon that when Wyatt Earp died, Mix was one of his pall-bearers.

Answer: Randolph Scott

Randolph Scott was one of the most popular box-office draws during the 1930-1950's. He starred in dramas, comedies, war movies and musicals but is best remembered for his roles in westerns. He usually wore the white hat role but even when he played the bad guy he portrayed them in a sympathetic manner making them "good bad-guys".

He starred with almost every major actor during his years of making movies. His good looks, smooth delivery and easy-going nature made him popular with directors, western producers and fans alike. Scott was a very private man who became semi-reclusive in his later years.

Answer: High Plains Drifter

"High Plains Drifter" (1973) was one of Clint Eastwood's most popular westerns. With hints of the supernatural, it is not until the end of the movie that the audience becomes aware that the gunfighter they have been watching is actually the ghost of the towns dead sheriff.

He has reappeared to train the honest citizens of the town how to protect themselves from the criminals that whipped him to death before their very eyes. For whatever reason, they do not recognize him and the movie displays influences of Eastwood's earlier "Spaghetti Westerns" that helped make him a star.

He played his characters as tough, fearless, masculine men. His magnetic good looks and he-man persona lead to Eastwood becoming one of the icons of cowboy heroes.

Answer: True

Audie Murphy was the white hat of the hero both on screen and off. This real life Medal of Honor winner was one of the most decorated soldiers of WWII. He achieved cinematic success with roles in "The Kid from Texas" (1950), "Posse from Hell" (1961) and "No Name on the Bullet" (1959).

He also starred in war movies most notably "To Hell and Back" (1955) which was based on his autobiography of the same name. It was universal Studios highest grossing movies for over 20 years until it was surpassed by "Jaws" in 1975.

It should be noted that many of Hollywood's big actors of this era served in WWII and most served with distinction.

Answer: Alan Ladd

Nominated for five Academy Awards, "Shane" is usually considered one of the classic westerns to have come out of the 1950s. Alan Ladd starred as a mysterious stranger who save the honest citizens of a small settlement in Wyoming from the criminals who are bullying them. Ladd also starred in the western "Whispering Smith" in 1948 and "The Proud Rebel" in 1958.

Answer: Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy Anderson (and it is spelled Broncho not Bronco) is usually credited and the first star of the western film genre. His first film was "The Great Train Robbery" (1903) and was one of the first major films in early film history. As was common at the time, he played three different parts, wearing different costumes.

He became famous for his roles as "Broncho Billy" in 148 western shorts and became the first western cinema hero. The name stuck with him even after he went into producing and directing.

He received an Honorary Academy Award in 1958 for his role as a motion picture pioneer and his contributions to the industry. He was honored in 1998 when his image was put on a U.S. postage stamp; and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (placed February 1960).

Answer: The Shootist

No quiz on cowboys heroes would be complete without a question concerning John Wayne. This giant of the silver screen appeared in over 170 films many of which were westerns. His tall stature and self-assuredness made him an icon of the western hero. His last film was the 1976 film "The Shootist" in which he plays an aging gunfighter.

He plays this role as a "good bad-guy" and is a favorite of many of his fans. he was nominated three times for an Academy Award and won for his portrayal of the character Rooster Cogburn in the movie "True Grit" in 1969.