Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. This author influenced a generation of writers in the 1950s and 60s. Best remembered for his 1959 novel "Naked Lunch", he left behind a large volume of written works and made contributions to music and films. He shot and killed his common-law wife in 1951. He claimed the shooting happened during a drunken game of "William Tell" as he attempted to shoot a glass off her head, but was convicted of manslaughter. Who was this influential writer?
2. This actress began her career as the "Noxzema Girl" in commercials and moved to recurring roles in TV series like "Beverly Hills, 90210", "Dead Like Me" and "Nip/Tuck". In 2001, driving while talking on her cell phone, she struck and killed a nine-year-old boy. Pleading no contest to a charge of vehicular manslaughter, she received a sentence of 3 years probation, a fine, and community service. Who is this genuine coal miner's daughter from Kentucky?
3. After an All America college football career, he was drafted into the NFL by the Carolina Panthers and given a multi-million dollar contract. In 1999, he was already paying thousands in support for one child when another girlfriend became pregnant. He paid a friend to kill the woman and assisted in the crime himself. A lengthy prison sentence ended his football career . What NFL wide receiver killed the mother of his unborn child?
4. This major star will always be remembered for his performance in the title role of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". In 1987, on vacation in Ireland with his then girlfriend Jennifer Grey, his car moved into the wrong lane and crashed into an oncoming car killing the driver and her mother. No cause for the accident was established and the star was convicted of "careless driving" and fined $175. Which celebrity benefited from what the victims' family called "a travesty of justice"?
5. This American politician was known as a stirring orator and "voice of conscience" for the Democratic Party in the post-World War II years. While governor of Illinois in 1952 he was drafted to be his party's candidate for president. He lost to Dwight Eisenhower that year and again in 1956. At age 12, this future statesman was playing with a rifle which had been inadvertently left loaded when it fired, killing a 16 year-old family friend. Who was this political icon of the 1950s?
6. After serving time for manslaughter, this future star returned to prison for possession of a deadly weapon. While in prison he developed an interest in the theater and took classes from a community college. Following his release he pursued his education and ultimately received a Master's Degree from Yale Drama School. Nominated for both Tony and Emmy awards, he is probably best remembered for roles in "Alien 3", "Rudy" and as the beleaguered police chief in a TV movie about the DC Sniper case. Who is this fine actor who completely turned his life around?
7. She's the wife of one president and daughter-in-law of another. In 1963 she was 17 and out for a drive in the country when she ran a stop sign and hit another car. The other driver, a classmate and friend of hers, was killed while she received only minor injuries. Records show she was never suspected of speeding or drinking and she was never charged with a crime. Who was this First Lady?
8. He was never known for his musical ability but he defined "punk charisma" in 1970s London. In 1977 he was asked to join Sex Pistols when their bass player left. He met Nancy Spungen, an American high school dropout, rock band camp follower and a soulmate. During the next year, Sex Pistols broke up, Nancy "managed" his solo career while their relationship deteriorated and became violent. In October, 1978, Spungen was found stabbed to death and he was arrested. He confessed, retracted the confession, was charged with second degree murder and, while free on bond, died of a massive heroin overdose. Who was "the attitude of Punk"?
9. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, he called himself "king of the 12-string guitar". He wrote and recorded dozens of folk-blues standards. He served four lengthy terms in prison during his life. The longest stretch was almost seven years for killing a relative in an argument over a woman. In 1934 he was pardoned after serving four years for attempted murder when he knifed a man in a fight. Who is the man Alex Haley called "the Mount Everest of Blues Singers"?
10. This Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was one of rock's greatest drummers for one of its greatest bands. In 1970 he ran over and killed his driver, bodyguard and friend, Neil Boland, during a scuffle with a group of skinheads. He wasn't charged in the incident. Who was this iconic rock star?
Source: Author
wilbill
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
bloomsby before going online.
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