Van and U Trivia Quiz

Answer: Vincent van Gogh

The tragic story of van Gogh is a subject of legend. He survived by his dependence on his brother Theo. He sold only one painting during his lifetime but his canvases sell for millions today, such as his "Sunflowers". Plagued by mental illness, he mutilated himself and later committed suicide.

Answer: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek,

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek was a seventeenth century merchant who had an interest in the power of lenses. He is given credit for the invention of the microscope and perhaps the first to view and study microbes. Though without formal training, he is today regarded as the "Father of Microbiology".

Answer: Liv Ullman

Ingmar Bergman referred to Liv Ullman as his muse. They made ten movies together and had an affair. Even after the romance, they maintained a working relationship. She directed two of his screenplays. Bergman did not enjoy public appearances; hence Ullman attended for him as she said "I know him better than anyone." Among their collaborations were "Persona" (1966), "Passions of Anna" (1969), "Scenes from a Marriage" (1973), and "Autumn Sonata" (1978).

Answer: Leon Uris

Leon Uris was an American Jewish popular novelist. He is most remembered for "Exodus" (1958). It was a worldwide best-seller, translated into a dozen languages, and was made into a feature film in 1960 starring Paul Newman and directed by Otto Preminger. Among his other popular novels were "Battle Cry" (1953), "Topaz" (1967), "QB VII" (1970) and "Trinity" (1976).

Answer: Tracey Ullman

"The long running cartoon show "The Simpsons" were introduced as a cartoon change of pace on the "Tracy Ullman Show" (1987-1900). Matt Groening was the creator and after the Ullman show had run its course, Groening fashioned it into a prime time satirical glance into American middle class life.

Tracey Ullman is a talented English born comedian and film actress. She is known for her creation of her fictional characters.

Answer: Peter Ustinov

There are at least eight actors who have played the flamboyant Hercule Poirot. Peter Ustinov was physically not like Agatha Christie's image but he carried off the role quite well. Ustinov won two Supporting Actor Oscars for "Spartacus" (1960) and "Topkapi" (1964).

He was known for his wide interests from his writings to his opinions on world wide politics. WIKE summarizes him as an "English actor, voice actor, writer, dramatist, film-maker, theatre and opera director, stage designer, screenwriter, comedian, humourist, newspaper and magazine columnist, radio broadcaster and television presenter."

Answer: Dick Van Dyke

Dick Van Dyke grew up in Danville, Illinois and attended high school with Donald O'Conner and Martin Short. His show business career began as an entertainer in the army. He is noted for his long running sitcom "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (1961-1966). He made several highly regarded films such as the chimneysweep in "Mary Poppins (1964), "Bye Bye Birdie" (1963), and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (1968).

He has won several Emmy award and has remained active. His brother, Jerry, followed him into show business.

His sitcom "My Mother the Car" (1965-1966) is on the short list of the worse sitcoms ever.

Answer: Charles Van Doren

"21" was a quiz show (1956-1958) that became a scandal for supplying answers to contestants. At the center was contestant Charles Van Doren, son of a noted intellectual and author. Van Doren lost his job as professor of English at Columbia University. He became an editor at Praeger Books and a (at first) pseudonymous writer, before becoming an editor of the "Encyclopędia Britannica" and the author of several books including 1991 popular-market "A History of Knowledge".
In 1994 the film "Quiz Show" was released with Ralph Fiennes as Van Doren.

Answer: Johnny Unitas

Johnny Unitas was the National Football League's most valuable player in 1959, 1964, and 1967. For 52 years he held the record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass until broken in 2012 by Drew Brees. He helped to popularize the NFL as a television staple. The bulk of his career was spent quarterbacking the Baltimore Colts.

Answer: Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren was born to Dutch parents and did not learn English until he attended school. His career was primarily political as he was a Senator from New York, Governor of New York, Secretary of State, and two terms as Vice President under Andrew Jackson. With Jackson's endorsement he became president in 1836. Van Buren had progressive ideas but the Panic of 1837 and the rise of the Whig Party cost him the election of 1840 to "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too".