In Memoriam - 2011 Quiz | Death Becomes Them

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. He was one of England's greatest football (soccer) goalscorers, who netted a remarkable 30 goals in just 33 international appearances in the 1950s. He died in January 2011 aged 85. Who was it?

Answer: Nat Lofthouse

Born Nathaniel Lofthouse in Bolton in 1925. Although he played only 33 times for England between 1950 and 1958 his 30 goals give him one of the highest goal-per-game ratios of any international player is the game's history. A one-club man, Lofthouse spent his entire professional career with Bolton Wanderers, scoring 255 goals in 452 appearances between 1946 and 1960.

2. She made her film debut in the 1942 film 'There's One Born Every Minute'. Her final screen appearance was in the 2001 TV movie 'These Old Broads', where she co-starred with Debbie Reynolds, Shirley MacLaine and Joan Collins. Who is this actress who died in March 2011 aged 79?

Answer: Dame Elizabeth Taylor

Born Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor in London in 1932, she became a star when she appeared first as the 11-year old Priscilla in 'Lassie Come Home' and a year later as Velvet Brown in 'National Velvet'. One of Taylor's last roles was as the voice of baby Maggie Simpson when she spoke her very first words in the hit TV series 'The Simpsons'.
Of the alternatives, Jane Russell died in February 2011 aged 90, Patricia Neal died in August 2010 aged 84, and Bea Arthur died in April 2009 aged 86.

3. One of the world's top sporting figures for more than 20 years, who recorded more than 90 victories in an illustrious career? He died in May 2011 aged 54.

Answer: Seve Ballesteros

Born Severiano Ballesteros Sota in Pedre�a, Cantabria, Spain in 1957, he won his first professional tournament, The Dutch Open, at the age of just 19. He beat Ben Crenshaw and Jack Nicklaus by three shots to win 1979 Open Championship and followed that nine months later with victory in the Masters.

He won the Masters again in 1983 and the Open twice more (in 1984 and 1988). He represented Europe eight times as a player in the Ryder Cup and led the team to victory as the non-playing captain in 1997. Of the alternatives, boxer Joe Frazier died in November 2011 aged 67, snooker's Alex Higgins died in July 2010 aged 61, and chess legend Bobby Fisher died in January 2008 aged 64.

4. He made his first film appearance in 1959, his last in 2009, and he was twice nominated for Best Supporting Actor Oscars in the 1960s. Who is best remembered, though, as the 'man in a tatty raincoat'? He died in July 2011 aged 83.

Answer: Peter Falk

Born Peter Michael Falk in New York City in 1927, he made his first TV appearance in 1958 and his film debut a year later. Oscar nominations quickly followed, in 1960 for 'Murder Inc.' and in 1961 for 'Pocketful of Miracles'. It is as the laid-back title character in TV's 'Columbo', where Falk made 69 episodes between 1968 and 2003 (winning four Emmy Awards in the process), that he will best be remembered.

In a 1996 poll for 'TV Guide', Falk was voted #21 in the list of 'The 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time'.

5. One of the most outspoken First Ladies in U.S. history, she frequently commented on issues such as feminism, equal pay, sex, drugs, abortion and gun control. Who is this? She died in July 2011 aged 93.

Answer: Betty Ford

Born Elizabeth Ann Warren Bloomer in Chicago IL in 1918, she was U.S. First Lady as the wife of President Gerald Ford from August 1974 (following the resignation of President Nixon) until January 1977. Aged 93 years and 91 days when she died, Ford ranked third on the list of the most long-lived U.S. First Ladies behind Bess Truman (97 years, 247 days) and Ladybird Johnson (94 years, 201 days). Of the alternatives, only Pat Nixon (who died in 1993) pre-deceased Ford.

6. Although not born in the UK, he is considered the most important British artist of his generation. He was rumored to have fathered as many as 40 children. Who is he? He died in July 2011, aged 88.

Answer: Lucian Freud

Born in Berlin, Germany in 1922, Lucian Freud's family escaped to London when he was 11. Sigmund Freud was his grandfather and broadcaster Clement Freud his younger brother.

7. This singer's second album produced six Grammy Award nominations and five wins, tying the record for most wins by a female artist in a single year. In a 2012 poll for VH1, who was voted #26 in the '100 Greatest Women in Music' list? She died in July 2011.

Answer: Amy Winehouse

Born in London in 1983, Amy Winehouse's 2006 album 'Back to Black' earned her five Grammy Award wins, the first British female to win that many. It became the UK's top-selling album of the century following her death from alcohol poisoning at the age of 27.

8. Which national leader came to power in 1969 and remained in charge until his death aged 69 in October 2011?

Answer: Muammar Gaddafi of Libya

Born Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi in Libya in 1942, he succeeded King Idris as Libya's head of state following a bloodless military coup. Although only a Lieutenant at the time of the coup, he promoted himself to Colonel and was widely known thereafter as 'Colonel Gaddafi'.

In a 2008 meeting of traditional African rulers, he was named 'King of Kings'. He was executed by rebel fighters on the outskirts of Sirte, Libya. Of the alternatives, Kim Jong-il died in December 2011 aged 70 and Corazon Aquino died in 2009 aged 76. Rama IX became King of Thailand in 1946 and still reigned going into 2012 aged 85 as the world's longest-serving head of state.

9. After winning an Olympic boxing gold, who began his professional career with 29 undefeated bouts before finally losing his World Championship titles? He died in November 2011 aged 67.

Answer: Joe Frazier

Born Joseph William Frazier in Beaufort SC in 1944, he was known as "Smokin' Joe". He won the Heavyweight gold at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics before turning professional. Between 1965 and 1972 he was undefeated in 29 fights, 25 of them by knockout. He became World Heavyweight champion in 1968.

In 1971 he defeated Muhammad Ali in one of the greatest fights ever. He would end his career with 32 wins, 4 defeats and a draw, having lost twice to both Ali and George Foreman. Frazier was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.

10. Born in the USA, this novelist who won both 'Hugo' and 'Nebula' awards in a 46-year career later became a naturalized Irish citizen. The novel 'White Dragon' was one of the first of its genre to appear in the 'NY Times Bestseller List'. Who is this writer who died in November 2011?

Answer: Anne McCaffrey

Born Anne Inez McCaffrey in Cambridge MA in 1926, she moved to Ireland in 1970. Best known for her 'Dragonriders of Pern' series, she was named as the 22nd Grand Master by the 'Science Fiction Writers of America' in 2005 and inducted into the 'Science Fiction Hall of Fame' in 2006.
Of the alternatives, all novelists, Francis died in 2010, Updike and Ballard both died in 2009.

Source: Author EnglishJedi

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

In Memoriam - 2011 Trivia Quiz

A tribute to some of the most famous people who died during 2011. Can you identify them from the clues?

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