Who Played Me in "Gladiator"? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Joaquin Phoenix

Phoenix, born on October 28th, 1974 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, got the role of Commodus. Commodus decided that he wanted to become the new Emperor of Rome and succeed his father to that post. One night, he grabbed his father and pulled him into a hug and suffocated him. Commodus became Emperor and looked down upon Maximus Decimus Meridius, due to his father having wanted him to be the next Emperor. Commodus and Maximus fought in an exciting duel near the film's end and Maximus killed Commodus. Phoenix starred in the films, "Walk the Line", "Signs", and "Clay Pigeons".

He received an Academy Award nomination in 2001 for Best Supporting Role for his role in "Gladiator" but lost to Benicio Del Toro of "Traffic". He also got an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in 2006 for his portrayal of Johnny Cash in "Walk the Line" but lost to Philip Seymour Hoffman of "Capote".

Answer: Connie Nielson

Nielson, a native of Frederikshavn, Denmark, landed the part of Lucilla, daughter of Marcus Aurelius. Lucilla was Marcus's daughter and Commodus was her younger brother. She married Lucius Verus and they had three children together but their eldest daughter and son died while they were young. Lucilla saw that her brother had become unstable and worried about if he would harm her son, Lucius. Lucilla plotted with Maximus to overthrow Commodus and it was when Commodus found out about this that he threatened her son. Lucilla told everyone to honor Senator Gracchus when he became the new Emperor of Rome. Nelson was seen in the movies, "Basic", "Mission to Mars", and "The Devil's Advocate".

Answer: Giannina Facio

Facio, born in 1955 in San Jose, Costa Rica, was cast as Maximus' wife and had a minor part in this film. When Maximus found out that Commodus murdered his father and named himself Emperor, he refused to be loyal to him and this had consequences for Maximus's wife. Commodus told his men to murder Maximus and then he sent guards to kill his wife and son. Maximus escaped his execution and raced to get to his wife and son but it was too late; they were already dead. Facio had parts in the films, "Hannibal", "Spanish Fly", and "Matchstick Men".

Answer: Giorgio Cantarini

Cantarini portayed Maximus's son in "Gladiator" and had a small role in the film. When Maximus was ordered to be executed, he asked that his wife and son be spared. One of Commodus's men told him he would meet his family in the afterlife. When Maximus was carried off to Zucchabar to be put into slavery, he envisioned his wife and son in his dreams. Maximus' son was last seen at the film's ending, when Maximus died and saw another vision of his wife and son. Cantarini landed roles in the movies, "Life is Beautiful" and "The Early Bird Catches the Worm".

He was also in the TV film, "In Love and War".

Answer: Richard Harris

Harris, born on October 1st, 1930 in Limerick, Ireland, played Emperor Marcus Aurelius for this blockbuster hit. Aurelius was very impressed with how Maximus led the Roman Army to a win against the Germanic people. So much so that he decided he wanted Maximus to succeed him as Emperor of Rome. Aurelius wanted Maximus to have temporary leadership and to return power to the Roman Senate.

He gave Maximus time to consider his offer while he went to tell his son about his plan. Commodus, in a jealous rage, murdered his father. Harris was seen in the films, "Mutiny on the Bounty", "The Guns of Navarone", and "Tarzan, the Ape Man".

Answer: Djimon Hounsou

Hounsou, born in 1964 in Cotonou, Benin, was cast as Juba in "Gladiator". Juba was first seen when Maximus was carted off to Zucchabar by slave traders. Maximus refused to fight, but while he defended himself in the arena against other fighters, he became popular with the crowd and that convinced Maximus to fight.

It was during his training when he befriended Juba and they often spoke of the afterlife. When Juba buried Maximus's son and wife, he told Maximus he would eventually join him in the afterlife but not at that time. Hounsou had parts in the movies, "The Island", "Blood Diamond", and "The Four Feathers".

He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2007 for his role in "Blood Diamond" but he lost to Alan Arkin of "Little Miss Sunshine".

Answer: Derek Jacobi

Jacobi, born on October 22nd, 1938 in London, England, got the part of Senator Gracchus. Senator Gracchus joined Maximus's plan with Lucilla to overthrow Commodus and reunite Maximus with his army, once Maximus found out that his army was still faithful to him. Gracchus was seen in the film's final battle between Commodus and Maximus since he was seated in the stadium. Once Maximus killed Commodus, he ordered that Proximo's gladiators be released and that Senator Gracchus become Rome's new Emperor. Maximus told Gracchus to return Rome to a Senate-based government. Jacobi had guest starring roles on the TV series', "Doctor Who", "Frasier", and "Cadfael".

Answer: Russell Crowe

Crowe, born in Wellington, New Zealand, was cast in the role of Maximus Decimus Meridius. When Maximus had a fight with Tigris, he had the opportunity to kill him and was ordered to do so by Commodus. He refused to kill Tigris and spared him and this lead to the crowd cheering for him.

He got the nickname of "Maximus the Merciful" after this fight. Maximus met with Cicero and Cicero informed him that his Army stood by him. When Maximus killed Commodus, he started to see his wife and son in the afterlife.

He reached for them but was pulled back by Quintus. Crowe won an Academy Award for Best Actor in 2001 for his role in "Gladiator". He starred in the movies, "Virtuosity", "Cinderella Man", and "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World".

Answer: Spencer Treat Clark

Clark landed the role of Lucius in this film. Lucius was Lucilla's son, Commodus's nephew, and Marcus Aurelius's grandson. He showed up in several scenes when he saw Maximus fight in the arenas. There was one scene when he referred to Maximus as "Spaniard" and said he would root for him. Commodus showed Lucius tricks on how to fight in the arena and this upset Lucilla. Clark guest starred on the TV series', "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Third Watch". From 1995 to 1999, he had a role on the now defunct NBC soap opera, "Another World".

Answer: Oliver Reed

Reed, from London, England, played Proximo. When Maximus came to the Northern African province of Zucchabar as a slave, Proximo purchased him. Proximo had a habit of encouragin all of his slaves to fight in his gladiator school. Proximo attempted to rally his slaves's emotions with insults against their family.

When Lucilla revealed her plot to Commodus, about overthrowing him as Emperor, Praetorian guards went to Proximo's gladiator barracks to do battle with the gladiators. Maximus escaped but Proximo wound up dead in this fight. Reed landed guest starring stints on the TV series', "Masquerade", "R3", and "It's Dark Outside".

He died on May 2nd, 1999 in Valleta, Malta at the age of 62.