One TV Actor, Two Roles, Several Years Later Quiz

Answer: Michael Landon

Michael Landon starred as Ben Cartwright's youngest son Joseph on the long running, highly rated series "Bonanza". The series ran for 14 seasons from 1959 through 1973. The series followed the Cartwright family on their sprawling ranch, The Ponderosa, in the state of Nevada. Nevada is nicknamed "The Silver State".

Several years later, Michael Landon starred as Charles Ingalls, the patriarch of a family of settlers on "Little House on the Prairie". The series aired for nine seasons from 1974 through 1983.

The story was about a hard working farmer in the community of Walnut Grove, Minnesota, and his struggles and sometime hardships of raising his family.
In addition to his starring role, Landon directed 87 of the 203 episodes of the series.

Michael Landon was featured in over 55 movie and television roles during his career. He starred in three successful television series ("Highway to Heaven" 1984-1989, "Little House on the Prairie" and "Bonanza"), Landon served as executive producer or producer for 13 film projects, directed 15 film projects, and was a writer on 12 projects.

Michael Landon was the stage name used by Eugene Maurice Orowitz.

Landon (Orowitz) was born on October 31, 1936 in Forest Hills, Queens, New York and passed away on July 1, 1991 from pancreatic cancer in Malibu, Los Angeles, California.

Answer: James Garner

James Garner starred as professional gambler Bret Maverick on the 1957 western-comedy series "Maverick". The light-hearted stories followed Bret and sometimes his brother Bart (Jack Kelly) who as poker players, traveled to ply their trade in the old west and along the Mississippi River. Much of their gambling occurred on large Mississippi riverboats.
"Maverick" aired 124 episodes over a five season run.

Several years later, James Garner starred as private investigator Jim Rockford on "The Rockford Files". Rockford, a struggling investigator, lived a very modest life in a trailer parked near the ocean. When he did work, his normal fee was "200.00 a day, plus expenses". Jim Rockford previously spent five years in San Quentin prison in California, and was pardoned when it was finally proved that he was wrongly convicted. Rockford received assistance and moral support from his father Joseph, who was known to everyone as Rocky.

The answers to the clues can be found in the lyrics to the theme song for "Maverick".

"Who was the tall dark stranger there?
Maverick is the name,
Ridin' the trail to who knows where,
luck is his companion, gamblin' is his game".

Smooth as a handle on a gun,
Maverick is the name,
Wild as the wind in Oregon,
Blowing up a canyon, easier to tame.

Riverboat ring your bell, fare thee well Annabel,
Luck is the lady that he loves the best,
Natchez to New Orleans,
Living on jacks and queens,
Maverick is the legend of the west.

Maverick is a legend of the west".
(second verse repeated)

James Garner, born James Scott Bumgarner, lived from April 7, 1928-July 19, 2014.

Answer: Lee Majors

Lee Majors starred as U.S. Air Force Colonel Steve Austin in the 1973 science fiction drama series "The Six Million Dollar Man".
After his near fatal accident in an experimental space vehicle, Austin was outfitted with bionic body parts, making him a virtual superman. He used his new skills as a government agent.

In one episode that lead to a spin-off series, Austin returned to his home town of Ojai, California and rekindled a romantic relationship with an old girlfriend, professional tennis player Jaime Sommers.
A near fatal skydiving accident resulted in Jaime undergoing a similar series of surgeries and treatments that Austin experienced, leaving her with bionic replacement parts and a new 1976 series, "The Bionic Woman" (1976). Forced to give up tennis, she became a school teacher on a military base, and a new government operative. Unfortunately, the after affects of her trauma made it impossible for Austin and Sommers to continue their relationship.
Lindsay Wagner played the role of Jaime Sommers

Answer: Walter Brennan

Three time Oscar winner Walter Brennan was no stranger to television series work. His impressive resume listed over 249 credits includes starring roles on three television series.

Walter Brennan starred as Grandpappy Amos McCoy on the 1957 family comedy series "The Real McCoys". In the story, Amos McCoy moved his family from West Virginia (or as he called it, West Virginee" to a farm in the San Fernando Valley (section of Los Angeles) in California. The family struggled to make ends meet working their land, but always displayed unconditional love and understanding for each other. Grandpappy Amos was known for his distinctive limp, wide brim farming hat, and always wearing his farmer overalls.
Also appearing with Brennan in the cast were Richard Crenna as his grandson Luke McCoy, and Katie Nolan who played Luke's young spunky wife, Kate.

"The Real McCoys" aired 224 half hour episodes over six seasons from 1957 through 1963.
Their story was told in the series opening theme song.

"Want you to meet the family,
Known as the real McCoys,
That's Grandpappy Amos, the head of the clan
he roars like a lion but he's gentle as a lamb
and now here's Luke who beams with joy,
Since he made Kate Mrs. Luke McCoy.

From West Virginee that came to stay
in sunny Califor-ni-ay
Grandpappy Amos and the girls and the boys,
Of the family known as the real McCoys".

The references in the questions to cardinals and rhododendrons refer to the state bird and state flower of West Virginia.

Several years later, Walter Brennan was cast in the title role on the western series "The Guns of Will Sonnett". The series aired 50 episodes over two seasons (1967-1969).
The series told the story of the search throughout the west that Will and his grandson Jeff, made in search of Will's son, and Jeff's father, Jim Sonnett, a former lawman turned legendary gunslinger. During their quest, Will and Jeff encountered both troubled people and people who had past dealings with Jim. Jim was considered the fastest gun in the west, but as Will Sonnett often told others, "Jim's boy Jeff is faster, and I'm faster than both of them, no brag, just fact".
In the 50th and final episode named "Three Stand Together", the search ends as Will and Jeff find Jim Sonnett. Will convinces Jim to stop running and make his stand. The three men ride to the town of Samson, where Will convinces the town mayor to hire him as sheriff, and his sons as his deputies. The mayor agrees, and the Sonnetts become lawmen. They are soon put to the test when a group of hired men come to town to kill Jim. The three Sonnetts face four gunmen in a street gunfight. The gunmen draw first, but after several shots, all four gunman lay in the street, with the Sonnetts left standing, uninjured the episode ends with the three lawmen walking down the street knowing that there will be other challenges, but confident that by staying together, the could meet any challenge.
Starring with Brennan on the series was Dack Rambo as Jeff Sonnett. In the final episode, James "Jim" Sonnett was played by Jason Evers.

The clues for second part of the question were addressed in the words of the series theme song, which was spoken by Walter Brennan.

"We searched for a man named Jim Sonnett,
And the legends folk tell may be true,
Most call him gunman and killer,
He's my son who I hardly knew,

I raised Jim's boy from the cradle,
Til the day he said to me I have to go find my father,
and I reckon that's how it should be,
So we ride, Jim's boy and me".

Walter Brennan was one of the most highly regarding actors of his time, and is one of the few actors to have received three Academy Awards for his perfornances.
Brennan won 'Best Actor in a Supporting Role' Oscars in 1937 for "Come and Get It" (1936), in 1939 for "Kentucky" (1938), and in 1941 for "The Westerner" (1941). Brennan receive a 'Best Actor in a Supporting Role' nomination in 1942 for his performance in "Sergeant York" (1941).

Walter Brennan was born on July 24, 1894, in Lynn, Massachusetts, and passed away on September 21, 1974 in Oxnard, California.

Brennan's career span from 1927 until his death.
Brennan remained married to his only wife, Ruth, for 54 years (1920-1974).

Answer: Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby starred for three seasons as tennis trainer/secret agent Alexander Scott on the 1965 drama series "I Spy". His job was a cover for his actual profession as a secret agent. The series also starred Robert Culp as world class tennis player Kelly Robinson. As a team, Robinson and Scott traveled around the world posing as tennis bums when they were in fact foiling the evil plans of the villains. During episodes, the team was known for their playful, witty intellectual banter on various subjects and options.

"I Spy" aired 82 episodes from 1965 until 1968.

Several years later, Cosby starred in his own series, "The Bill Cosby Show".
This marked the first time that an African American actor's name was used for the title of a comedy series. (Bill Cosby's eponymous series).

Bill Cosby starred as Chet Kincaid, a Los Angeles area high school physical education teacher.
The series ran for two seasons (1969-1971) with 52 half hour episodes.
The series was highlighted by the Grammy Award nominated theme song, "Hikky-Burr", written and performed by Bill Cosby and Quincy Jones.

Multi-talented entertainer William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 12, 1937.

Answer: Robert Young

Robert Young starred on the very popular 1954 television series "Father Knows Best". The series ran for six seasons, with 203 episodes through 1960. On the show, the Anderson family was considered the quintessential example of the typical American family.
Young starred as James "Jim" Anderson, an employee of the General Insurance Company of Springfield, and the head of his household.
Co-starring with Young on this highly rated series were Jane Wyatt as his wife Margaret, Elinor Donahue as Betty "Princess" Anderson, their oldest child, Billy Gray as James "Bud" Anderson, Jr., their son, and Lauren Chapin as Kathy "Kitten" Anderson, the youngest member of the family.

Several years later, Robert Young starred in the title role as Santa Monica based family practitioner on "Marcus Welby, M.D."

Dr. Welby was an old fashion doctor, with a kind fatherly bedside manner. His office was located in his home and his practice occasionally included house calls to his patient's homes. If needed, Dr. Welby would refer and treat patients at Lang Memorial Hospital in Santa Monica, California.
His office partner, Dr. Steven Kiley, was played by James Brolin. Dr. Kiley, a much younger doctor, was more attuned to the modern medical practices. Dr. Welby drove a car while Dr. Kiley preferred his motorcycle to get around. The series highlighted some of the differences between the two doctors approach to medical treatment. Both doctors were well qualified and tops in their profession.
The doctors were assisted by their office nurse, Consuelo Lopez, played by Elena Verdugo. Consuelo managed the office for the doctors.

"Marcus Welby, M.D." aired from 1967 until 1976, with 169 episodes.
During the 1970-1971 season, "Marcus Welby, M.D." became the first series in the history of the ABC television network to become the #1 rated show on television.

Robert George Young, a successful actor with over 100 movie and television
credits, was born on February 22, 1907 in Chicago, Illinois, and passed away at the age of 91 on July 21, 1998 in Westlake Village, Los Angeles, California.

Answer: Mike Connors

Mike Connors played police deep undercover operative Nick Stone on the 1959 action series "Tightrope". To protect his identity, Nick changed names in each episode. Nick's assignment was to infiltrate organized crime. His cover was so deep, no one knew his true job, resulting in him being pursued and sometimes being shot at by both criminals and police alike.
Nick's secret weapon was a back-up gun, a snub nose .38 revolver he kept is a holster in the small of his back. When searched, both the good guys and the bad guys seem to overlook his second weapon, which he would later use to get out of tight situations.
"Tightrope" aired 37 episodes in the 1959-1960 television season.

Several years later, Mike Connors played the title role on the action series "Mannix".
Joe Mannix started as a private investigator working for a large Los Angeles based agency called Intertect. The company specialized is using computer technology in solving their cases. Mannix found working for the agency to be lackluster, and was bored in his company cubicle office.
In the second season, Mannix, having left Intertect, opened his own one man private investigation agency. He hired a secretary, Peggy Fair, played by Gail Fisher, to run his office and serve as his assistant.
Mannix was free to accept only the cases he wanted, but his choices frequently landed him in the hospital.
"Mannix" was considered one of the most violent television shows of the time.
During the course of the series, Mannix was shot and wounded, sometimes seriously, 17 times, knocked unconscious (usually with a gun butt to his head) 55 times, beaten up on numerous occasions, and had his car forced off the road (often into a tree or over a cliff) over a dozen times. In the end, Mannix was always able to solve his case or capture the villain.

"Mannix" aired 194 hour long episodes over eight seasons (1967-1975).
Between 1968 and 1973, the series received 16 Primetime Emmy nominations.
In 1970, Gail Fisher won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Drama.

Mike Connors was born Krekor Ohanian on August 5, 1925 in Fresno, California.

Answer: Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.

Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. starred as Stuart "Stu" Bailey in the 1958 detective series "77 Sunset Strip". He and his partner, Jeff Spencer (Roger Smith), both former government secret agents, opened a high class private investigations office in the hip West Hollywood section of Los Angeles, known as the Sunset Strip. The parking lot attendant for their office building was a young guy named Gerald Lloyd Kookson, III, (Edd Byrnes) who was known to everyone as Kookie.
Kookie wore a pompadour hairstyle and when not parking cars, was always seen combing his hair. Kookie became a series icon and teenager heartthrob. In later seasons, Kookie became a private investigator and joined the agency.

"77 Sunset Strip", a Warner Bros. TV production, aired for six seasons with 206 episodes.

Several years later in 1965, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. starred as Inspector Lewis Erskine on the long running, popular crime drama series "The F.B.I."
The stories were based on true crimes from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The series was produced with the full cooperation and blessings of the FBI. Famed FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover never appeared on the series, but served as a technical advisor until his death in 1972. Hoover chose to use his first initial in life, but his first name was John.
Quinn Martin Productions was also given unprecedented access to various FBI locations and facilities for filming purposes.
Each episode documented the commission of a federal crime and highlighted some of the advanced and scientific resources used by the FBI in apprehending fugitives from justice. At the end of many shows, Efrem Zimbalist Jr. would do a public service segment, displaying the faces, descriptions, and crimes committed by current criminal on The FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List.

Also in the cast were Philip Abbot as assistant director to Hoover, Arthur Ward.
Assisting Erskine on his investigations were two junior FBI special agents, Tom Colby (William Reynolds) from 1966-1974, and Jim Rhodes (Steven Brooks} from 1965-1967.

"The F.B.I." aired for nine seasons with 240 hour long episodes. The series quickly became a Sunday night staple as it aired for the duration on Sunday.
The series was sponsored for all nine seasons by the Ford Motor Company, which explains why everyone on the series drove Ford vehicles.
At the end of each episode, as the credit rolled during the ending theme music, Zimbalist was shown driving through the streets of Washington, D.C., in the current years new Ford Mustang.

Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. was born on November 30, 1918 in New York, New York, and passed away on May 2, 2014 in Solvang, California.

Answer: Gene Barry

Gene Barry played the title role on the 1958 western series "Bat Masterson". The series aired 107 half hour episodes, filmed in black and white. "Bat Masterson" ran for three seasons (1958-1961).

Masterson traveled the west in search of adventure, pretty ladies, and a good poker game. Masterson was a suave ladies man, usually attired in his trademark expensive fine eastern-made suits, a fancy vest, and wearing his derby hat. Masterson carried a fancy custom made cane, which he often used as a weapon instead of his gun.

Several year later in 1965, Gene Barry played a debonair police homicide captain on "Burke's Law".
The unique aspect about Captain Amos Burke was that he was a millionaire. He traveled to crime scenes in his chauffeur driven Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II automobile. He was assisted in his investigations by a young eager detective named Tim Tilson (Gary Conway) and gruff veteran detective Les Hart (Regis Toomey). Burke often dispensed advice to his detectives, based on his crime fighting experiences, always ending his comments by proclaiming them to be one of "Burke's Law".
Henry (Leon Lontoc) was Burke's chauffeur. "Burke's Law" was a Hollywood showcase for the actors and actresses of the time. Each episode was highlighted by guest appearances of numerous movie and television stars who played victims, suspects, or in some cases, themselves.

For the third and final season of the series, the format, as well as the show's title was changed.
Captain Burke resigned from the Los Angeles Police Department and accepted a job as a government operative. The series was retitled "Amos Burke, Secret Agent".
The format change was in response to the growing popularity of spy shows. The change came at the height of the James Bond movies and TV series like "I Spy" (1965), "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." (1964), and "Get Smart!" (1965).

Gene Barry was born Eugene Klass on June 14, 1919 in New York, New York, and passed away at the age of 90 on December 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.



The closing theme song of "Bat Masterson", sung by Bill Lee.

"Back when the west was very young,
There lived a man name Masterson,
He wore a cane and derby hat,
They called him Bat, Bat Masterson.

A man of steel the stories say,
But women's eyes all glanced his way,
A gamblers game he always won,
His name was Bat, Bat Masterson.

The trail that he blazed is still there,
No one has come since, to replace his name,
And those with too ready a trigger,
Forgot to 'figger' on his lightning cane.

Now in the legend of the west,
One name stands out of all the rest,
The man who had the fastest gun,
His name was Bat, Bat Masterson".

Answer: Robert Conrad

Robert Conrad starred as Tom Lopaka on the series "Hawaiian Eye". The series centered on a detective-private security agency based in Honolulu, Hawaii. The luxurious Hawaiian Village Hotel was the main backdrop for the series and primary client of the agency. Part of the duties of the Hawaiian Eye agency was to provide safety and security services for guest of the hotel resort and the protection of the physical grounds of the hotel. The agency also took clients outside of the realm of the hotel environment.
Also in the cast were Anthony Eisley as Tracy Steele, Lapoka's partner, Connie Stevens as Cricket Blake, a hotel photographer and singer in the hotel's lounge, who occasionally helped the detectives with their cases, and ukulele playing cab driver Kim Quisado, who added a little Hawaiian flavor and comic relief to the series. Quisado was played by Hawaiian native Poncie Ponce.
"Hawaiian Eye" aired for four seasons with 134 episodes.

Several years later in 1975, Robert Conrad starred as the super suave secret service agent James T. West on the popular western series "The Wild Wild West". West was teamed with Artemus Gordon (Ross Martin) and worked at the pleasure of President Ulysses S. Grant as protectors and troubleshooters.
The pair traveled across the country on a specially outfitted railroad train called "The Wanderer", a job perk provided to them by their boss. The train had luxurious living and sleeping accommodations, a car that served as a stable for their horses, and a train engineer who was under orders to take the men wherever their services were needed.
Colonel James Richmond (Douglas Henderson) served as their Secret Service control officer.
Robert Conrad claimed that he was the 17th actor to audition for the role of Jim West, so 17 became his lucky number.
Unlike the majority of Hollywood TV leading men, Conrad performed most of his own stunts on the series.

"The Wild Wild West" aired for four seasons (1965-1969) with 104 episodes.

Conrad's good looks and tough guy image was used in the late 1970s in commercials for Eveready Alkaline Powercell Batteries.
The 30 second commercials opened with Conrad punching a speed bag in a gym, then looking directly into the camera, placing a battery on his shoulder, and saying "I dare you to knock this off, I dare you to compare anybody's battery, anybody's with alkaline powercells and try and beat them for long life ...".

Robert Conrad, born Conrad Robert Norton Falk, was born on March 1, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois.