Musical Biopics Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rami Malek

The life of Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury (1946-1991) is depicted in the 2018 biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody" directed by Bryan Singer. His unconventional sound and style, in addition to his four octave range, led to the great popularity of the group. Sadly, he died as a result of complications from AIDS at the age of 45.

The movie title is taken from their hit song "Bohemian Rhapsody" from the 1975 album "A Night at the Opera". Rami Malek ("Mr. Robot") was awarded the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal.

Answer: Renee Zellweger

The 2019 film "Judy" is based on the book "End of the Rainbow" by Peter Quilter. Renee Zellweger portrays the adult life of the talented and troubled Judy Garland (1922-1969), 30 years after her breakout role as Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz". We see her in London performing at the Talk of the Town nightclub for sold-out performances, and meet her fifth husband-to-be, Mickey Deans. Renee Zellweger is an Academy Award winning actress for her supporting role in the movie "Cold Mountain", with a SAG Award for "Chicago".

Answer: Dennis Quaid

Dennis Quaid played the irrepressible singer and musician Jerry Lee Lewis in "Great Balls of Fire" (1989). The title of the film is taken from his 1957 hit song. The movie depicts a time when Elvis Presley was in the army and Lewis saw his chance to become number one.

His cousin (Jimmy Swaggart) tries to dissuade him from playing "the devil's music", but then we'd have no movie. Another issue for Jerry Lee was falling in love with his 13 year old cousin Myra. Actor Dennis Quaid gives a lively portrayal of the singer.

Answer: Jessica Lange

"Sweet Dreams" is a 1985 biography of country singer Patsy Cline (1932-1963). Jessica Lange ("Tootsie") gives a wonderful performance of Patsy's turbulent life as she goes on meaningless gigs while enduring an unhappy marriage. We watch her leave her husband for another man, Charlie Dick, as Cline interrupts her career for motherhood.

She finds success with hit after hit upon her return. Her hits include "Crazy", "Walkin' After Midnight" and, of course, "Sweet Dreams". Lange was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of the ill-fated star.

Answer: Chadwick Boseman

"Get on Up" (2014) is the story of James Brown (1933-2006), "The Godfather of Soul". Chadwick Boseman ("Black Panther") takes us from Brown's early years in poverty in South Carolina, through his abuse, abandonment and jail, to his joining a gospel group as a teenager, his redemption and eventual stardom.

His dynamic style and dance moves made him unforgettable. It is hard to listen to songs like "I Feel Good" and "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" without getting up and dancing.

Answer: Kristen Stewart

Before Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, there was Joan Jett and Cherie Curry paving the way for future generations of female rockers as the 1970s band, the Runaways. Kristen Stewart ("Twilight") plays Jett, and Dakota Fanning is Curry in the all-girl band in "The Runaways" (2010).

The film is based on Cherie Curry's book "Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway", and depicts the conflicts and the rise of the rebellious teens from Southern California, with their songs like "Cherry Bomb" and "You Drive Me Wild", both released in 1976.

Answer: Val Kilmer

Oliver Stone directed the 1991 biopic "The Doors" about the psychedelic rock group of lead singer Jim Morrison (1943-1971), Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger and John Dunsmore. The band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1965. The film shows the group's spectacular rise to fame and its flamboyant leader's descent into drug addiction, the occult and his growing obsession with death. Among The Doors hits were "Light My Fire" and "Break on Through (To the Other Side)". Val Kilmer ("Top Gun" and "Tombstone") starred as the troubled musician.

Answer: Marion Cotillard

"La Vie en Rose" (2007) tells of the sad life of "The Little Sparrow", French chanteuse Edith Piaf (1915 to 1963). Piaf was raised by her grandmother in a brothel but used her tremendous talent to escape poverty and rise to fame. We learn about her loves, losses, drug addiction and early death.

In the film, Marion Cotillard performs "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" (No Regrets), with the power and pathos of Piaf. Cotillard won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her wonderful portrayal.

Answer: David Carradine

Hal Ashby ("Harold and Maude" and "Being There") directed the 1976 film "Bound for Glory" based on folk singer Woody Guthrie's 1943 autobiography of the same name. The biopic begins during the Oklahoma dust bowl of the 1930s, when a struggling young musician decides to head for greener pastures in California. Guthrie (1912-1967) becomes involved with political causes at the expense of his love life, but his ballads, like "This Land Is Your Land", continue to inspire generations of Americans. David Carradine ("Kung Fu") played Woody.

Answer: Diana Ross

In 1972, we learned that former Supreme, Diana Ross, could not only sing but act as well. Ross plays jazz singer Eleanora Fagen, better known as Billie Holiday (1915-1959) in "Lady Sings the Blues". The movie depicts the traumatic childhood of 'Lady Day', the racism of the time, her personal life, rise to fame and her tragic addiction to drugs.

It is based on her 1956 autobiography of the same name, with Billy Dee Williams playing Holiday's boyfriend and manager Louis McKay. Billie died of cirrhosis on July 17, 1959.