First Names of Classic TV Characters Quiz

Answer: Joe

In the first season of the show Joe Mannix worked for a Los Angeles detective agency that was called called Intertect. Interect was the original working title of the series. Joseph Campanella played his boss, Lew Wickersham. The agency originally used computers to assist them in solving crimes, however, Desilu removed them after the first season.
Beginning in the second season Mannix worked solo with the help of his assistant, Peggy Fair, played by Gail Fisher. He also had a number of contacts within the Los Angeles Police Department including Peggy's late husband's partner. The character was played by Larry Linville until Linville went on to play Major Frank Burns on "M*A*S*H" (1972-1983).
In 1971 Connors joined Lucille Ball on an episode of "Here's Lucy" (1968-1974) fittingly titled "Lucy and Mannix are Held Hostage".
Mike Connors was born Kreker Ohanian in California and began a film career in 1950 after a stint in the Air Force. In addition to his television work he appeared in over 30 films.
"Mannix" was the final television show produced by Desilu Studios.

Answer: Robert

Robert T. Ironside was a former San Francisco police detective who was wheelchair bound after being shot and became a consultant. The character was introduced in a 1967 television movie titled "A Man Called Ironside". The television show was nominated for six Emmy Awards as well as two Golden Globes. The theme music created by Quincy Jones was among the first synthesizer TV themes on television.
Raymond William Stacy Burr was born in British Columbia, Canada. When he was six he moved to California and had his first acting role on stage at age 12.
Beginning in 1946 he had roles in over 50 films, frequently playing a villain. In 1957 he auditioned for the role of District Attorney Hamilton Burger on "Perry Mason" but landed the lead role instead. William Talman landed the role of DA Burger.
Burr passed in 1993 at age 76 in Sonoma County. After his death the American Bar Association recognized him for his "professional and dignified" portrayal of Perry Mason.

Answer: Amos

Gene was born Eugene Klass in New York and began acting on Broadway in the forties. In 1950 he had a small role on a television show which led to a role in the 1952 film "Atomic City". He went on to portray Eve Arden's debonair and suave romantic interest on "Our Miss Brooks" (1952-56) during the 1955 season which led to his starring role in "Bat Masterson".
As Amos Burke in "Burke's Law" he portrayed essentially the same type of personality as a millionaire detective. The role earned him a 1965 Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. The following season the show was renamed "Amos Burke, Secret Agent".
Before beginning his third series, "The Name of the Game" (1968 to 1971), he played a psychiatrist/murderer in the two hour premier episode of "Columbo" (1968-78). When "The Name of the Game" ended Gene worked for one season on a show titled "The Adventurer" before returning to Broadway.
He passed at age 90 and is buried next to his wife if 58 years, the former Betty Claire Kalb.

Answer: Quinton

Ermes Effron Borgnino was born in New York. He became a sailor in 1935 when he joined the U. S. Navy. He earned several awards for his naval service but had no job to return to upon his discharge and began acting, landing a stage role in 1947. His first TV role was as a villain on "Captain Video" (1949-1955) before landing parts in films. His breakout role was as Sergeant Judson in "From Here to Eternity" (1953).
He earned an Oscar in 1955 for "Marty", ironically beating out his former co-star in "From Here to Eternity", Frank Sinatra.
He went on to star in numerous movies as well as the television series "Airwolf" from 1984-1987. In 2004 Borgnine received the honorary title of chief petty officer in recognition of his naval service. He passed eight years later at age 95.
Ensign Charles Parker was played by Tim Conway, Joe Flynn played Captain Wallace "Wally" Burton Binghamton and Lieutenant Elroy Carpenter was played by Bob Hastings.

Answer: Robert

Colonel Robert E. Hogan was played by Bob Crane. The theme of the show was that a group of international prisoners of war headed by ranking officer Hogan was actually using Stalag 13 as an operational base. The show won two of 12 Emmy nominations and Jerry Fielding's theme song became a staple for college and high school marching bands.
Connecticut native Robert Crane began his career in radio in the sixties. Following a guest shot on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (1961-1966) he was given a recurring role on "The Donna Reed Show" (1958-1966) which segued into his starring role in "Hogan's Heroes". When the show ended he appeared in a couple of movies then was part of the cast of a dinner theater play called "Beginner's Luck". While touring with the play he was found murdered in his room in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1978 at age 49.
Ironically four of the roles of German officers in "Hogan's Heroes" were played by Jewish actors.
POW James Kinchloe was played by Ivan Dixon, Kenneth Washington portrayed POW Richard Baker and Sergeant Schultz was portrayed by John Banner.

Answer: James Rockford

James Garner played James Rockford on "The Rockford Files" from 1974-1980. Roy Huggins had created a previous television show that featured Garner called "Maverick" (1957-1962) and thought starring Garner in a modern setting would recreate the same chemistry. Veteran actor Noah Beery was cast as his father, Rocky. Garner portrayed a struggling PI living in a mobile home who had spent time for a crime he did not commit.
Oklahoma native James Garner received a Purple Heart for wounds received in Korea. Upon discharge he got a minor role in a play titled "The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial" where he studied co-star Henry Fonda. This role led to commercial and television spots and eventually the starring role in "Maverick". He went on to appear in over 60 films.
In 1977 Garner earned an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for "The Rockford Files".
Thomas Banacek was played by George Peppard. William Conrad starred as Frank Cannon and Telly Savalas had the role of Theo Kojak.

Answer: True

Several facts about Paladin's background were revealed during the run of the series that was set after the Civil War but Paladin's true identity was never disclosed. "Have Gun - Will Travel" was rated in the Top Five in the Nielsen ratings the first four seasons that it aired.

The show was originally a radio program. After serving in WWII Los Angeles native Richard Boone took advantage of the G.I. Bill to study acting at the Actors Studio in New York. He began acting on Broadway in 1947 and three years later made his film debut in "Halls of Montezuma".

In 1954 Boone began his television career on "Medic". When she show concluded two years later he was offered the role of Paladin after Randolph Scott turned it down. "Have Gun - Will Travel" was nominated for three Emmy awards.

The first episode, "Three Bells To Perdido," featured Jack Lord. In addition to his television work Boone also starred in over 50 films. His final role was in the 1981 film "Bushido Blade". He passed that same year at age 63.

Answer: Francis

New York native Fred Gwynne served in the United States Navy during WWII and went on to study art on the GI Bill with aspirations of becoming a cartoonist. After graduation he joined the Brattle Theatre Repertory Company and in 1952 was cast in a play that also starred Helen Hayes.
Two years later he appeared as Slim in the Marlon Brando film "On the Waterfront". He made occasional appearances on "The Phil Silvers Show" (1956-1959) which led to his starring role opposite Joe E. Ross in "Car 54, Where Are You?". Because he was 6'5" he was cast as Herman Munster when "Car 54, Where Are You?" wrapped production.
Gwynne also made appearances in films including "Pet Sematary" (1989) and his final role as Judge Haller in "My Cousin Vinny" (1992). He passed the following year at age 66.
Muldoon's partner, Gunther Toody, was played by Joe E. Ross. Officer Leo Schnauser was played by Al Lewis who went on to appear as Grandpa on "The Munsters". Paul Reed was Capt. Paul Block.

Answer: Columbo

The first name of the character Columbo has been the subject of debate since the show began in 1971. There were rumors that his name was Philip after a trivia game gave the the name Philip as an answer to one of the questions. It was never supported by documentation.

There is also speculation that the name Frank was seen when he showed someone his ID on an episode. One fact is clear, he was never called Tony. Peter Falk played the role from 1971-1978 and again from 1989-1998. The series was originally shown once a month in rotation with three other programs. From 1974 to 1976 Barry Newman starred as Tony Petrocelli, an attorney who gave up a law practice in Boston and relocated to a small town in Arizona. Robert Blake starred as offbeat New York City detective Tony Baretta from 1975 to 1978. Larry Hagman had the role of astronaut Tony Nelson from 1965 to 1970 opposite Barbara Eden.

Answer: Amos

In the opening theme song Brennan's character is referred to as Grandpappy Amos. Amos McCoy relocated his family from Smokey Corners, West Virginia, to California to become dirt farmers when they inherited a farm. Amos brought along his grandson Luke and Luke's wife Kate played by Kathy Nolan. Luke's teenage sister "Hassie" played by Lydia Reed along with his young brother Little Luke played by Michael Winkelman. In the final season many of the characters were written out and Luke became a widower. Luke was the only character to appear in every episode.
"The Real McCoys" also featured many famous guest stars including Noah Beery, Jr., Beau Bridges, Ellen Burstyn, Alan Hale, Jr., Nancy Kulp, Forrest Lewis and Tina Louise.
Amos' grandson Luke was played by Richard Crenna. Ben McCoy was the relative who died and left the property to Amos. George McMichael was the name of the character that played Amos' friend played by Andy Clyde.