FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

Quiz about Todays Stars in Yesterdays Films

Today's Stars in Yesterday's Films Quiz

Not everyone becomes a star overnight. Check out how well you remember some early performances in well known films by these established actors. Note: There's a pattern in the questions that may provide hints as you go along!

A multiple-choice quiz by zanneliza. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
zanneliza

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
177,310

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
8 / 15

Plays
2427

Last 3 plays: Johnmcmanners (15/15), wellenbrecher (15/15), Guest 174 (11/15).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Which Oscar-nominated actress played a waitress and flirted with Aidan Quinn in 1993's "Benny & Joon"? Hint

Rene Russo

Nicole Kidman

Renee Zellweger

Julianne Moore

NEXT>

Question 2 of 15

2. Before he gained fame as a television heart-throb and iconic movie star, which actor played the role of an interpreter in Oliver Stone's "Platoon" ? Hint

Christian Slater

Johnny Depp

Nicolas Cage

Brad Pitt

NEXT>

Question 3 of 15

3. "Sex in the City" has elevated Sarah Jessica Parker to star status. In which 1980s film was she slightly less fashionable? Hint

Fletch

Pretty in Pink

Footloose

Private Resort

NEXT>

Question 4 of 15

4. Which comedic actor played a soldier involved with Christina Applegate in "Mars Attacks!" (1996)? Hint

Jack Black

Bill Murray

John Cusack

Chris Rock

NEXT>

Question 5 of 15

5. In which 1996 film does Owen Wilson, star of "Shanghai Nights" and "Zoolander", provide a scene-stealing cameo as an egomaniacal jerk on a date with Matthew Broderick's girlfriend? Hint

Anaconda

Permanent Midnight

Bottle Rocket

The Cable Guy

NEXT>

Question 6 of 15

6. Which actor, featured in the 2004 release "The Alamo", played a saloon dealer in the movie "Tombstone" (1993)? Hint

Dennis Quaid

Patrick Wilson

Jason Patric

Billy Bob Thornton

NEXT>

Question 7 of 15

7. Long before he made it big playing Deputy Dwight 'Dewey' Riley in the movie "Scream", David Arquette could be seen in what horror movie satire? Hint

Repossessed

April Fool's Day

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

A Nightmare on Elm Street

NEXT>

Question 8 of 15

8. Which well known actress appeared with Brat Packers Anthony Michael Hall and Robert Downey, Jr. in "Johnny Be Good" (1988)? Hint

Cameron Diaz

Reese Witherspoon

Drew Barrymore

Uma Thurman

NEXT>

Question 9 of 15

9. "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" (1997) was only the second American film for which British Actor? Hint

Jude Law

Ewan MacGregor

Geoffrey Rush

Orlando Bloom

10. Kevin Spacey became a household name in 1995 when he appeared in the films "Seven", "The Usual Suspects" and "Outbreak". Which movie contains his unheralded performance as Bob Speck in 1988? Hint

Suspect

Ghostbusters II

Working Girl

A Fish Called Wanda

NEXT>

Question 11 of 15

11. Which "Mystic River" actress played the ex-lover of Richard Gere's character in the 1996 feature "Primal Fear"? Hint

Susan Sarandon

Marcia Gay Harden

Laura Linney

Frances McDormand

NEXT>

Question 12 of 15

12. Prior to being 'sucked' into "The Matrix", Laurence Fishburne had a part in which epic film? Hint

The Godfather

Apocalypse Now

The Deer Hunter

Raging Bull

NEXT>

Question 13 of 15

13. Which star of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy participated in a "drag" race across the Australian Outback in "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" (1994)? Hint

Ian McKellen

Elijah Wood

John Rhys-Davies

Hugo Weaving

NEXT>

Question 14 of 15

14. Viggo Mortensen made a name for himself starring as Aragorn in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, but he's been around for awhile. Which 1985 movie marks his first theatrical appearance? Hint

Lady Hawke

The Purple Rose of Cairo

Witness

St. Elmo's Fire

NEXT>

Question 15 of 15

15. Which actor-producer-writer-director played Andrew McCarthy's best friend in the 1988 Molly Ringwald film "Fresh Horses"? Hint

Rob Lowe

Tom Cruise

Ben Stiller

Tom Hanks

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Most Recent Scores

Nov 07 2024 : Johnmcmanners: 15/15
Oct 28 2024 : wellenbrecher: 15/15
Oct 25 2024 : Guest 174: 11/15
Oct 15 2024 : Guest 199: 7/15
Oct 14 2024 : Guest 174: 5/15

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which Oscar-nominated actress played a waitress and flirted with Aidan Quinn in 1993's "Benny & Joon"?

Answer: Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar for her work in "Far From Heaven" (2002). She was also nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category for "The Hours" (2002).

2. Before he gained fame as a television heart-throb and iconic movie star, which actor played the role of an interpreter in Oliver Stone's "Platoon" ?

Answer: Johnny Depp

"Platoon" starring Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger won the Academy Award for the Best Picture of 1986 (1987 Awards ceremony). Johnny Depp played the sympathetic Private Lerner before his star-making run on "21 Jump Street" in the late 1980s. Johnny Depp was also in "Benny & Joon" (1993) with Julianne Moore.

3. "Sex in the City" has elevated Sarah Jessica Parker to star status. In which 1980s film was she slightly less fashionable?

Answer: Footloose

Sarah Jessica Parker played the role of Rusty in the musical film, "Footloose" (1984) starring Kevin Bacon. She also starred with Johnny Depp in the movie "Ed Wood" (1994).

4. Which comedic actor played a soldier involved with Christina Applegate in "Mars Attacks!" (1996)?

Answer: Jack Black

Directed by Tim Burton, "Mars Attacks!" was the inspiration for this quiz. As I was watching it the other day, I almost didn't recognize Jack Black and had to check the credits to be sure it was him. Sarah Jessica Parker was also a cast member.

5. In which 1996 film does Owen Wilson, star of "Shanghai Nights" and "Zoolander", provide a scene-stealing cameo as an egomaniacal jerk on a date with Matthew Broderick's girlfriend?

Answer: The Cable Guy

All of the choices are Owen Wilson films, but only "The Cable Guy" fits the criteria. "The Cable Guy" was a star vehicle for Jim Carrey and was directed by Ben Stiller. Jack Black was also in the film.

6. Which actor, featured in the 2004 release "The Alamo", played a saloon dealer in the movie "Tombstone" (1993)?

Answer: Billy Bob Thornton

Although Dennis Quaid played the character of Doc Holliday in "Wyatt Earp", it was Billy Bob Thornton playing faro dealer Johnny Tyler in "Tombstone". "Tombstone" featured Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp and Val Kilmer in the Doc Holliday role. Billy Bob Thornton appeared in "Armageddon" with Owen Wilson.

7. Long before he made it big playing Deputy Dwight 'Dewey' Riley in the movie "Scream", David Arquette could be seen in what horror movie satire?

Answer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

David Arquette played Luke Perry's best friend Benny in the theatrical version of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". David is the brother of actress Patricia Arquette as well as being married to Courtney Cox. He was also featured in "The Killing Box" with Billy Bob Thornton in 1993.

8. Which well known actress appeared with Brat Packers Anthony Michael Hall and Robert Downey, Jr. in "Johnny Be Good" (1988)?

Answer: Uma Thurman

"Johnny Be Good" is one of Uma's first film credits. Aside from her acting, she was also included in the writing credits for "Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2". Uma was one of the titular "Beautiful Girls" in the 1996 film which also featured David Arquette.

9. "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" (1997) was only the second American film for which British Actor?

Answer: Jude Law

Jude Law's first American film was "Gattaca" (1997) with Uma Thurman. Geoffrey Rush is actually from Australia. Ewan MacGregor is British, born in Scotland, and Orlando Bloom was in the movie "Wilde" (1997) with Jude Law.

10. Kevin Spacey became a household name in 1995 when he appeared in the films "Seven", "The Usual Suspects" and "Outbreak". Which movie contains his unheralded performance as Bob Speck in 1988?

Answer: Working Girl

"Working Girl" generated Oscar nominations for its stars, Melanie Griffith (Best Actress) and Sigourney Weaver (Best Supporting Actress). Kevin Spacey had to wait until 1996 to collect a Best Supporting Actor statuette for "The Usual Suspects". He also won the Best Actor award in 2000 for his work in "American Beauty".

He was not nominated for his work in "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" with Jude Law.

11. Which "Mystic River" actress played the ex-lover of Richard Gere's character in the 1996 feature "Primal Fear"?

Answer: Laura Linney

Other notable early roles for Laura Linney include Meryl (Jim Carrey's pseudo-wife) in "The Truman Show" and Randi (the President's secretary) in "Dave". Recently Laura Linney was seen in "The Life of David Gale" starring Kevin Spacey.

12. Prior to being 'sucked' into "The Matrix", Laurence Fishburne had a part in which epic film?

Answer: Apocalypse Now

Laurence (credited as Larry) Fishburne played Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Tyrone Miller a.k.a. Mr. Clean in Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now" (1979). Aside from playing Morpheus in the "Matrix" trilogy, he can also be seen in "Mystic River" with Laura Linney.

13. Which star of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy participated in a "drag" race across the Australian Outback in "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" (1994)?

Answer: Hugo Weaving

Although still not commonly recognized by name, Hugo Weaving starred in all three "Matrix" films (as Agent Smith) and the complete "Lord of the Rings" trilogy (as Elrond). Born in Nigeria, he attended schools in England and South Africa before settling in Australia in 1976.

14. Viggo Mortensen made a name for himself starring as Aragorn in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, but he's been around for awhile. Which 1985 movie marks his first theatrical appearance?

Answer: Witness

Although credited for his work in "The Purple Rose of Cairo" (1985) and "Swing Shift" (1984), his scenes were deleted before the films' theatrical release. Viggo Mortensen was formerly married to Exene Cervenka of the Punk band "X".

15. Which actor-producer-writer-director played Andrew McCarthy's best friend in the 1988 Molly Ringwald film "Fresh Horses"?

Answer: Ben Stiller

The son of actors Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, Ben Stiller has led an eclectic career. He is currently filming "Meet the Fockers" the sequel to his 2000 hit "Meet the Parents". One of his earliest credits is for playing the role of Tipton in "Fresh Horses" which also featured Viggo Mortensen.

Source: Author zanneliza

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.