One Role/Two Actors Trivia Quiz

Answer: Nyota Uhura

Nichelle Nichols was the original Lt. Nyota Uhura on TV's "Star Trek" (1966-1969).
She was the communications officer for the Enterprise, and one of the first Black actresses to have a major role on a television series.

In the 2009 "Star Trek" film, Uhura, played by Zoe Saldana, meets Kirk, Spock and other crew members at Star Fleet Academy.

Answer: Sherlock Holmes

The role of the brilliant detective, Sherlock Holmes, has been assayed by many actors. The TV show "Elementary", which first aired in 2012, features Johnny Lee Miller as the British sleuth in New York City. Lucy Liu plays Dr. Joan Watson.

In the 2009 film, "Sherlock Holmes", we find Holmes in London trying to solve a string of brutal murders. His ever loyal friend, Dr. Watson, is played by Jude Law.

Answer: Bruce Wayne

Millionaire Bruce Wayne, and his secret identity as Batman, first came to TV on the campy show "Batman" which lasted from 1966 through 1968. Bruce was played to the hilt by Adam West (who passed away on June 9, 2017).

The ever-popular superhero was played by Val Kilmer in "Batman Forever", Joel Shumacher's 1995 film. Kilmer's Batman dealt with villains like Two-Face and The Riddler.

Answer: Eleanor Roosevelt

In 1976, the television miniseries "Franklin and Eleanor" was broadcast. The wonderful actress Jane Alexander played Eleanor Roosevelt, opposite Edward Herrmann as Franklin. The biopic appeared in two parts, with the first part dealing with their earlier years.

Years before the TV show, the 1960 film "Sunrise at Campobello" came out. In the movie, Greer Garson ("Mrs. Miniver") played Eleanor, opposite Ralph Bellamy as Franklin. The film depicts the summer of 1921 where, while vacationing, Franklin is stricken with polio.

Answer: Richard Kimble

Let us go back to where we first meet Dr. Richard Kimble. The year is 1963; the TV show is "The Fugitive". The good doctor has been convicted of the murder of his wife, and is being relentlessly pursued by Lt. Philip Gerard. David Janssen plays the escapee.

Fast-forward to 1993, where we find the film version of "The Fugitive". This time the embattled physician is played by Harrison Ford, and his pursuer is Samuel Gerard (a relative?).

Answer: Joan of Arc

Several films have been made about the amazing story of Joan of Arc, "The Maid of Orleans" (1412-1431). While still a teenager in 1429, she led a battle against the British at Orleans to help change the course of the war. She was burned at the stake at 19 years old, and canonized in 1920.

Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman played Joan in the 1948 movie "Joan of Arc", while American actress Jean Seberg portrayed her, in 1957, in "Saint Joan".

Answer: James Gordon

And now, back to the batcave... Although actor Neil Hamilton had many early film roles, he is probably best known as the man who sent out the 'bat signal', as Police Commissioner James Gordon, on the TV show "Batman" in the 1960s.

We meet the young detective Jim Gordon on the TV show "Gotham", which began airing in 2014. Jim is trying to clean up the crime-ridden city, while befriending the teenage Bruce Wayne whose parents were recently murdered.

Answer: Ebenezer Scrooge

Charles Dickens' wonderful novel, "A Christmas Carol", has lent itself to many stagings, and many great actors portraying the mean, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge.
Scrooges range from the wonderful British actor Alastair Sim in 1951 (my personal favorite) to Kelsey Grammer ("Frasier") in 2004.

Out of all the actors who have played the part, I chose George C. Scott and Patrick Stewart because of the range of these particular thespians. Scott ("Patton") played the part in "A Christmas Carol" in 1984. Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard) was in the 1999 film version.

Answer: Amelia Earhart

American aviatrix, Amelia Earhart (1897-1937?) was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. In 1937, she disappeared somewhere over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to circumnavigate the globe.

Her life and mysterious disappearance have been covered in films. In 1994, Diane Keaton ("Annie Hall") had the lead role in the docudrama "Amelia Earhart: The Final Flight". Hilary Swank played the protagonist in the eponymous "Amelia", a 2009 film.

Answer: Robin Hood

I remember as a (very young) child sitting in front of the TV set, eager for the next episode of "The Adventures of Robin Hood". The show was a black and white British series which ran between 1955 and 1959, and starred Richard Greene.

Years before, i.e., in 1938, the outlaw archer 'who stole from the rich and gave to the poor' was portrayed by Errol Flynn. The film, like the TV show, was called "The Adventures of Robin Hood", and depicted Sir Robin of Locksley and his band of 'Merry Men' battling against the evil Prince John.