A Proper Charlie Trivia Quiz

Answer: Charles II

Whilst on his death bed, King Charles II is reputed to have said, 'Let not poor Nelly starve' to his brother. The Nelly in question was Nell Gwyn, one of his many mistresses. His brother, James II, who succeeded him paid off Nell's debts and made available further funds to ensure she did not waste away. Appropriately for this quiz, the bold Nell seemed to hold a magnetic attraction for people named Charles.

Her first lover was actor Charles Hart and later in life she had a romantic liaison with the aristocrat Charles Sackville, 6th Earl of Dorset.

Answer: Charles Sherwood Stratton

Charles Atlas was the largest amongst the selections, at his peak he stood at 5 feet 10 inches. Charlie Chaplin was around 5 feet 5 inches whilst British comedian Charlie Drake was almost 4 inches shorter. By far the smallest in height was Charles Sherwood Stratton, better known as General Tom Thumb, who stood at 3 feet 8 inches.

In 1863 Stratton married Lavinia Warren in a wedding that would hold its own with the showbiz extravaganzas we see today.

Answer: Charles Trenet

Most English speakers know the Trenet composition as 'Beyond the Sea', rather than the original French 'La Mer'. Bobby Darin recorded the song in 1959 which had been somewhat altered by Jack Lawrence a few years earlier. Trenet's original lyrics concentrated on how the moods of the sea affected him, whilst Lawrence wrote of a romance between a sea lover and his land dwelling sweetheart.

Answer: Charlie Greene

The 1968 Olympics in Mexico were memorable for many achievements, not least those of Charlie Greene. Amid Tommie Smith and John Carlos's black power salute, Dick Fosbury's triumphant flop and Bob Beamon's record smashing long jump, Charlie Green quietly went about his business.

He won a bronze medal in the 100 metres finishing behind Jim Hines and Lennox Miller. Charlie ran the first leg for the gold medal winning USA team in the 4x100 meters relay alongside Jim Hines, Mel Pender and Ronnie Ray Smith.

Answer: Charles Atlas

Born Angelo Siciliano in Italy, Charles Atlas can truly boast that not only did he transform his own life, he dramatically enhanced many other people's. In 1929 Atlas became a millionaire by selling his unique body building exercise course around the world.

The one time 98lb self confessed weakling, metamorphosed into a 5 foot 10" muscle-man weighing in at an impressive 180lb. Apologies to Charlie Dimmock who is actually a female celebrity gardener on BBC television.

Answer: Bonnie Prince Charlie

Bonnie Prince Charlie died in 1788 in Rome and was originally buried at the Cathedral of Frascati. In 1807 his body was moved to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, where it was laid alongside his father James Francis Edward Stuart's remains.

Answer: Charles Bunbury

Sir Charles Bunbury the 6th Baronet of Barton, and Edward Smith Stanley the Twelfth Earl of Derby conceived the idea for the world famous Epsom Derby. The classic race could so easily have been known as the Epsom Bunbury, as the name was decided on the toss of a coin between the two gentlemen.

Although the Earl of Derby won the toss, it was Sir Charles Bunbury whose horse Diomed won the first race in 1780.

Answer: Charlie Cairoli

Charlie Cairoli was born in Italy in 1910 to a French mother and father who were steeped in the traditions of the circus. Carletto as the young Charlie was known, followed in his father's footsteps by becoming an accomplished clown who excelled as a musical marvel.

In 1940 Charlie was interned because Britain was at war with Italy and he was Italian. He was deported to the Isle of Man for a short time but released when he managed to produce a French passport.

Answer: Charles Hallé

Such eminent personalities as Sir Malcolm Sargent, Sir Thomas Beecham and Sir John Barbirolli all followed in the footsteps of Sir Charles Hallé
as conductor of the famous Hallé Orchestra. Born as Karl Halle in Hagen, Germany in 1819, Hallé moved to Manchester in 1848 and established the orchestra 10 years later. Such was the impact of Hallé's involvement in the life of the citizens of Manchester, that his funeral in 1895 brought the city to a standstill.

Answer: Chainsaw Charlie

Texas born Terry's long wrestling career has seen him perform in the WCW, ECW, TNA, ROH and both the WWF and the renamed WWE. Not content with the thrills and spills of the squared circle, Terry is an accomplished actor in both film and television. His movies include: 'Paradise Alley' (1978), 'Over the Top' (1987), 'Mom, Can I Keep Her?' (1998) and 'The Ringer' (2005).

In (1991). Terry also appeared in the much acclaimed 'Quantum Leap', in the episode 'Heart of a Champion', where he played Carl Shilo a 1950s wrestler.

Answer: Bob Charles

Not a first name but still a Charles. In 1963 the New Zealander Bob Charles won the British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes. He beat American Phil Rogers in a play-off to make him the only left-handed player to win a major in the 20th century. It wasn't until 2003 that Canadian Mike Weir followed in his footsteps, when he also defeated an American Len Mattiace in a play-off in the Masters. Phil Mickelson has become the most successful left-handed golfer having won four majors between 2004 and 2010.

Answer: Charlie Griffith

During the sixties Griffith played 28 Test matches, taking 94 wickets in the process. In 1964 he was named as Wisden Cricketer of the Year, in spite of questions being raised about his bowling action. Not as fast a bowler as his partner Wes Hall, the pair made a lethal combination capable of intimidating the best of opponents.

Answer: Charles P. Strite

Minneapolis-born Strite noted that much of the toast being served in the factory he worked in was burned. In 1921 he patented his revolutionary automatic toaster. Other electric toasters had been produced previously but his was the first to incorporate all the features that continue to be part of the basic design today.

His invention could heat both sides of a slice of bread, had a spring to pop up the bread and a timer that turned off the heat.

Answer: Charlie Duke

Sorry about this one but I made up the other options. In 1972 Charlie Duke along with John Young spent a record 71 hours on the Lunar surface. Duke and Young were both very humorous, and their natural fervour kept the watching earth bound millions enthralled throughout the Apollo 16 mission.

Answer: Charlie Chaplin

No Charlie quiz could be called proper without a mention of Charlie Chaplin. Chaplin met Mildred Harris when she was 16 and the couple were married soon after, in 1918. Unfortunately they divorced in 1920 following the tragic death of their baby Norman. Charlie married for the second time in 1924 to Lillita McMurray, who at 16 was 20 years his junior. Again the marriage only lasted two years and two children later they were divorced. Third time lucky saw Charlie and Paulette Goddard stay together for 10 years before they broke up in 1942. Fourth time did prove lucky for the relentless bridegroom when in 1943 he married Oona O'Neill.

At 54 Charlie was three times the age of his 18 year old bride, but this time the nuptials did last until death us do part in 1977, when Chaplin died. By that time Charlie and Oona had produced eight children of their own.