Male Leads on TV Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sea Hunt

Bridges played Mike Nelson, a professional scuba diver for hire. "Sea Hunt" originally ran from 1958 - 61. Nelson's work could involve him in anything form helping scientists with oceanographic research; to assisting police, the military or the Coast Guard in their endeavors; treasure hunting; water rescues; and many other ocean-related activities. Bridges had a long and successful movie career starring in such films as "Home of the Brave", "Trapped", "Airplane!" and "Plymouth Adventure".

He is the father of actors Jeff and Beau Bridges with whom he acted alongside in several episodes.

Answer: Mackenzie's Raiders

Carlson was an actor, director and screenwriter. He started out as a stage player then moved to California where he was usually cast as the male romantic lead in such movies as "The Little Foxes", "Back Street" and "Highways by Night". In the early 1950s he broke into television appearing mainly in anthology series.

In "Mackenzie's Raiders", a western adventure based on an actual historical person, he starred as Col. Ranald Mackenzie, who, with his regiment, patrolled the Mexican border.

Answer: Highway Patrol

Crawford's stocky build and gravelly voice would not make one think of a leading man, but arguably his most memorable movie roles were playing opposite Judy Holliday in "Born Yesterday" and a ruthless politician in "All the King's Men" among dozens of other films, mainly in the action/adventure genre. Most baby boomers would be familiar with his role as Dan Matthews in "Highway Patrol" (1955-59) which focused on police procedures in a variety of law enforcement situations.

He also starred as Dr. Peter Goldstone in the medical drama "The Interns" (1970-71).

Answer: Barnaby Jones

Ebsen was mainly a song and dance man and acted in "Broadway Melody of 1936" and "Captain January". He was also cast as the Tin Man in "The Wizard of Oz" but was allergic to the face paint and had to bow out. His more memorable roles came with his shift to television and had a long run playing a nouveau riche hayseed on "The Beverly Hillbillies" and as a clever detective in "Barnaby Jones".

He lived to be 95, passing in 2003.

Answer: Matlock

Griffith started out doing comic monologues and singing gospel music, but had a big break when cast at a drafted country bumpkin in the movie comedy "No Time for Sergeants" and a more dramatic role in "A Face in the Crowd". When working on "No Time for Sergeants" he met Don Knotts and the two formed a lifelong working and personal friendship. Griffith went on to star in two highly popular TV series "The Andy Griffith Show" playing a southern small town sheriff with a bumbling deputy played by Knotts, and later portraying a successful attorney in "Matlock".

Answer: Men Into Space

Lundigan acted in over 100 movies, mainly in the genre of action/adventure, but played a woman chasing piano player in the biopic "The Fabulous Dorseys". TV buffs will likely remember him as the dauntless and resourceful Colonel Ed McCauley in the 1959-60 science fiction series "Men Into Space" and several TV anthology series. Sadly, his career was cut short when he passed at age 61 in 1975 from apparent heart problems.

Answer: Many Happy Returns

Heavy set and balding with a clipped speaking voice, McGiver was usually typecast as arrogant, authoritative characters in his appearances in dozens of TV and movie roles in a 20 year career. Movie work included "Breakfast at Tiffany's", "Marriage on the Rocks" and "Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation". Even more prominent on TV, he had recurring roles in "The Jimmy Stewart Show", "Mr. Terrific" and "McKeever and the Colonel".

In "Many Happy Returns", which aired in the 1965-6 season, he played a department store employee in charge of the complaint department and its predictable predicaments. Like fellow actor William Lundigan, McGiver also passed at age 61 from cardiac issues in 1975.

Answer: Wanted: Dead or Alive

An iconic acting legend, McQueen started out in TV playing guest spots on a variety of TV shows, then got a break when cast as western drifter Josh Randall on the three-season series "Wanted: Dead or Alive". This quickly led to movie roles. Some of his most memorable roles were in "Bullitt", "The Sand Pebbles", "The Great Escape", "The Cincinnati Kid" and "Papillon" among many others.

A heavy smoker, in his late 40s he developed mesothelioma, but eventually succumbed to heart failure at age 50 after undergoing surgery to remove metastatic tumors.

Answer: The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

"The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" was not very historically accurate, but proved such a popular western that it had a six season run (1955-61). Handsome O'Brian also had many guest appearance on TV and appeared on a few game shows. After his stint on TV, he made a handful of movies which include "In Harm's Way", "Ten Little Indians" and "The Shootist".

He had a reputation of being a ladies' man and after his death in 2016, several people came forward with claims that they were his children by these relationships.

Answer: Boston Blackie

Taylor had no experience as an actor when advised by a friend to seek that career because of his good looks. When his movie career faltered in the early 1950s, he turned to TV and is best remembered for his role as Boston Blackie, a hard-boiled detective.

Another role he landed in TV was that of Captain Jim Flagg of "The Rough Riders". In the 1960s, he returned to movies and starred in "The Broken Land" after which he managed to get work in a string of B movies. He passed in 1987 at age 79 from complications after heart surgery.