Who Played Me in "Good Night, and Good Luck" Quiz

Answer: Robert Downey, Jr.

Downey, Jr., born on April 4th, 1965 in New York City, was cast as Joe Wershba. Joe worked as a reporter and was married to a woman named Shirley. Joe mentioned to her in one scene that he and every other reporter he knew signed an oath to be loyal to America, including Edward R. Murrow. Shirley read off a question from the oath to Joe about whether he was ever a member of a group the Department of Justice deemed "subversive". Joe simply said some of the questions seemed awkward. Joe told Shirley that he would inform CBS that he was no communist and that he planned to sign it as his good friend, Edward R. Murrow, did.

In another scene, Shirley asked Joe to name him one woman who asked her husband to take off his wedding ring prior to going to work, and Joe said that Ava Gardner fit that criteria. Downey, Jr. starred in the films "Zodiac", "Iron Man" and "Wonder Boys".

In 1993, he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for "Chaplin" but lost to Al Pacino for "Scent of a Woman".

Other Oscar nominees for Best Actor in a Leading Role that year were Clint Eastwood for "Unforgiven", Stephen Rea for "The Crying Game" and Denzel Washington for "Malcolm X".

Answer: David Strathairn

Strathairn, a native of San Francisco, California, played Edward R. Murrow. Edward was an intrepid journalist who wanted to fight back against Senator McCarthy's communist witch hunt through television reporting. In his first scene, he gave a big speech about journalism before a big crowd who was honoring his work.

In one scene, Edward spoke to his friend, Sig, about how he had a great story to tell about J. Edgar Hoover, the Director of the FBI. In several scenes throughout the movie, Edward told his listeners via television all the shameful acts which Senator McCarthy committed in the name of protecting America against communists.

He was noted for signing off on each radio broadcast with the words, "good night and good luck". There was one particular scene where Don Hollenbeck mentioned he could use a scotch, and Edward stated they could all use one at that time. Strathairn had roles in the movies "A League of Their Own", "Losing Isaiah" and "L.A. Confidential".

In 2006, he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for "Good Night, and Good Luck" but lost to Philip Seymour Hoffman for "Capote".

Other Oscar nominees for Best Actor in a Leading Role that year were Heath Ledger for "Brokeback Mountain", Terrence Howard for "Hustle and Flow" and Joaquin Phoenix for "Walk the Line".

Answer: George Clooney

Clooney, born in 1961 in Lexington, Kentucky, portrayed Fred Friendly. Fred received a message from his assistant early in the movie that a Colonel Anderson wanted to speak with him. In his conversation with Colonel Anderson, Fred asked him if he spoke with the lawyers about a transcript. Colonel Anderson told Fred he did and that he also read the transcript but had not seen the footage supplementing the transcript. Fred informed Colonel Anderson the footage was just about to be shot since Charlie Mack was on a plane to conduct the interviews which were going to be recorded. Colonel Anderson informed Fred that his show aired tomorrow and it seemed impossible for him to check and approve the story which Fred wanted to run on the next day's show. Fred reminded Colonel Anderson that he was invited to participate in the show and not to approve it.

The story Fred spoke of was about a man named Milo who was tried by the U.S. Air Force without one piece of evidence. Clooney portrayed characters in the films "Batman and Robin", "Up in the Air" and "Syriana".

In 2006, he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Director for "Good Night, and Good Luck" but lost to Ang Lee for "Brokeback Mountain". Other Oscar nominees for Best Director that year were Bennett Miller for "Capote", Paul Haggis for "Crash" and Stephen Spielberg for "Munich". Also in 2006, Clooney received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay for "Good Night, and Good Luck", along with Grant Heslov, but lost to Paul Haggis and Robert Moresco for "Crash". Other Oscar nominees for Best Original Screenplay that year were Woody Allen for "Match Point", Noah Baumbach for "The Squid and the Whale" and Stephen Gaghan for "Syriana".

Answer: Alex Borstein

Borstein landed the role of Natalie in "Good Night, and Good Luck". Natalie was an assistant for Mr. Murrow and his co-workers. There was one scene when Eddie Scott asked Natalie to help set up a microphone for a television broadcast and she told him the microphone was already set. Natalie then mentioned to Edward after he wrapped up a broadcast that she needed him to sign something. Natalie also stated that a person named Dr. Stanton wanted to have a drink with him so Edward asked her when this request was made.

She replied that it was made just a short while ago, as Dr. Stanton was at the Pentagon Bar. Edward told Natalie to tell Dr. Stanton that he could not meet him for drinks, which she did. Borstein guest starred on the TV series "Gilmore Girls", "Friends" and "Frasier".

Answer: Frank Langella

Langella, born on January 1st, 1938 in Bayonne, New Jersey, was cast as William Paley. William was Edward's boss and he had a meeting with him to discuss business. At the meeting, William asked Edward how the family was doing so Edward told him they were fine and he asked William how his daughter, Babe, was. William said she was fine but that her fundraiser did not go as she had planned. William then cut to the chase with Edward about his crusade against Senator McCarthy's witch hunt and how he felt it would be best for Edward to give it up, as Senator McCarthy would self destruct. Edward told William this sounded to him like the corporate office interfering with the broadcasting and that William promised him that would not happen. William responded by telling Edward they did not make the news but instead reported it. Edward agreed to abide by William's rules regarding broadcast journalism from there on out. Langella starred in the movies "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps", "The Box" and "Cutthroat Island".

In 2009, Langella received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for "Frost/Nixon" but lost to Sean Penn for "Milk". Other Oscar nominees for Best Actor in a Leading Role that year were Brad Pitt for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", Richard Jenkins for "The Visitor" and Mickey Rourke for "The Wrestler".

Answer: Patricia Clarkson

Clarkson, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, played Shirley Wershba. Shirley was seen once applying lipstick in the bathroom when Joe spoke to her about Senator McCarthy. He told Shirley that just showing images of what Senator McCarthy did was not so convincing and that the real issue was how to broadcast a piece about him. Joe mentioned to Shirley that people who loved Senator McCarthy likely would hate the piece while people who hated him probably would enjoy it. Shirley suggested he wait until more footage could be shown about Senator McCarthy before crafting pieces but Joe said the best way to approach it was to hit Senator McCarthy before he went after Edward R. Murrow. Clarkson guest starred on the TV shows "Six Feet Under", "Frasier" and "Law and Order".

Answer: Peter Jacobson

Jacobson, born in 1965 in Chicago, Illinois, portrayed Jimmy. Jimmy spoke with Fred one day and congratulated him after he read the praiseful piece "The New York Times" ran on Edward R. Murrow's broadcasting program. Fred thanked him for the props while both got into an elevator and then mentioned to Jimmy that he was undergoing a hangover at the moment. Jimmy mentioned that all the ad guys he knew watched the program. Jimmy mentioned he was going to put out a press release on how there were more people overwhelmingly favoring than opposing Edward R. Murrow's journalistic style. Jimmy mentioned there were calls from everywhere out of respect for Murrow's show. Jimmy then stepped out of the elevator and said goodvye to Fred. Jacobson had guest starring stints on the TV series "Royal Pains", "Entourage" and "Law and Order".

Answer: Tate Donovan

Donovan, born on September 25th, 1963 in Tenafly, New Jersey, landed the role of Jesse Zousmer. Jesse worked at CBS with Edward, Fred and others and announced to them all one day that Mile Radulovich got his job back with the U.S. Air Force. Jesse then went looking for Edward R. Murrow to tell him this good news and he was also asked where he heard this news. Jesse stated he had a statement from the Secretary of the U.S. Air Force regarding their decision to reinstate Milo Radulovich. Jesse read off the statement in which the Secretary indicated the U.S. Air Force no longer deemed Milo Radulovich a threat to the national security of the country. All the men celebrated with Jesse since they ran the story about the U.S. Air Force's mistreatment of Milo Radulovich. Donovan had guest starring stints on the TV shows "Law and Order: Criminal Intent", "The Guardian" and "Ally McBeal".

Answer: Thomas McCarthy

McCarthy was cast as Palmer Williams in "Good Night, and Good Luck". Palmer worked for CBS and it was midway through the movie when Fred told him that the CBS lawyers wanted to speak with him. Palmer asked him when they planned to talk to him so Fred said they were hoping to do it tomorrow. Fred encouraged Palmer not to get paranoid as the lawyers were talking to everybody.

When Palmer asked Fred to give him some suggestions as to how to talk to the lawyers, Fred simply advised him to tell them what he knew. Palmer was seen in one scene watching footage of people testifying before the House Un-American Activities Committee. McCarthy played guest starring characters on the TV series "Law and Order", "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" and "New York Undercover".

Answer: Jeff Daniels

Daniels, a native of Athens, Georgia, played Sig Mickelson. Sig was first seen at an event honoring Edward R. Murrow and he was in charge of introducing Edward to the crowd. Sig mentioned that Edward began his journalism career at CBS in 1935 when he did extensive reporting on the atrocities associated with World War II.

He mentioned that his series called "This is London" brought forth much useful information to the public about the war. Sig stated that Edward never was afraid of opposing ruthless, yet powerful, men and often did pieces on issues like segregation, employment exploitation, apartheid and more. Sig made mention that Edward R. Murrow likely was known best for his opposition to Senator Joseph McCarthy's witch hunt methods during the era aptly named McCarthyism. Sig told the audience that Edward R. Murrow was there that evening along with his wife and son. Daniels had roles in the films "Dumb and Dumber", "Speed" and "101 Dalmatians" (1996).