TV Doctors Multiple Choice Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Dr. Gregory House probably has the worst bedside manner in the history of medicine. Who plays this cantankerous medic?

Answer: Hugh Laurie

James Hugh Calum Laurie was born on June 11, 1959 in Oxford, England. His early career included work as half of the comedy team of Fry and Laurie. While studying social anthropology at Cambridge, he joined the Cambridge Footlights where he met and became good friends with Emma Thompson.

He married Jo Greene in 1989. They have 3 children. He began his work on "House" in 2004, for which he was awarded Golden Globes in 2006 and 2007.

2. "Doogie Howser, MD" is a story about undoubtedly the youngest doctor on any TV show, or for that matter anywhere else. Neil Patrick Harris began to play Doogie when he was 16. How old was Doogie in the show?

Answer: 16

Neil Patrick Harris was born on June 15, 1973 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was active in drama from a very young age. In 1988 he played in "Clara's Heart" with Whoopi Goldberg. He began playing Doogie Howser in 1989. Doogie, a licensed doctor at age 16, was described as having genius intellect and an eidetic memory.

He achieved a perfect SAT score at 6, completed high school in 9 weeks, graduated from Princeton at age 10 and finished medical school at 16. When the series began, he was a resident surgeon at the Eastman Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

3. In the 1960s the serious competition between medical shows began. One of the top contenders was "Dr. Kildare" aired on NBC. The character of James Kildare was taken from a series of movies made in the late 1930s and early 1940s which starred Lew Ayres and Lionel Barrymore. Who played Dr. Kildare in the television show?

Answer: Richard Chamberlain

Richard Chamberlain, born in Beverly Hills, California on March 31, 1934, played Dr. Kildare from 1961 to 1966. In addition to a distinguished theatrical career, he played in a number of television mini-series including "Centennial", "The Man in the Iron Mask", "Shogun" and "The Thorn Birds".

In later years he lived in Hawaii with his partner, Martin Rabbett. In 2003 he wrote "Shattered Love", a book in which he openly discussed his relationship with Rabbett.

4. ABC's entry in the medical competition of the 1960s was "Ben Casey", created by James E. Moser. Casey was an irate surgeon who argued with hospital administrators, other doctors, patients, patients' families and anyone else who got in his way. Who portrayed him?

Answer: Vince Edwards

Vincent Edward Zoino III was born on July 9, 1928 in Brooklyn, New York. He was a twin. His film debut was in "Mr. Universe" in 1951 but his claim to fame was playing the lead in "Ben Casey". Concerning the heated competition between Casey and Kildare, Edwards is reported to have said "Competition is good for a long, healthy life". Vince Edwards was discovered by Bing Crosby and Bing's company produced "Ben Casey".

5. Not all the hit doctor shows took place in hospitals. One of them began in 1984 and was the story of a delightful Brooklyn, New York family whose mother was a lawyer and whose father was a doctor. What was this family's name?

Answer: Huxtable

William Henry Cosby was born on July 12, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He did stand-up comedy with great success and starred in two television series before "The Cosby Show". In 1965 he appeared with Robert Culp in "I Spy" and in 1969 he played a phys ed teacher in "The Bill Cosby Show" which ran for two seasons.

In 1984 "The Cosby Show" debuted and became a top-rated show in no time. The show portrayed an affluent, intelligent African-American family named Huxtable whose mother was a lawyer and whose father was an obstetrician- gynecologist.

The show enjoyed #1 Neilsen ratings for three consecutive seasons.

6. "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" was actually a western family drama, but since the story is about a doctor, it fits here also. What was Dr. Quinn's first name?

Answer: Michaela

Dr. Mike, whose name was actually Michaela, was played by Jane Seymour. Her actual name was Joyce Penelope Wilhemina Frankenberg. Born in Hillingdon, England on February 15, 1951,and raised in Wimbledon she began acting at 17 and took the name Jane Seymour at that time.

She has a rare condition called heterochromia - two differently-coloured eyes. Her right eye is hazel and her left eye is green.

7. Another hugely popular doctor show that did not take place in a traditional hospital, "M*A*S*H" one of the most celebrated television shows of all time, took place during the Korean War. What does "M*A*S*H" stand for?

Answer: Mobile Army Surgical Hospital

"M*A*S*H" had an ensemble cast but the one actor most prominently connected to the show was Alan Alda who played Dr. Hawkeye Pierce. He was born Alphonse Joseph D'Abruzzio on January 28, 1936 in the Bronx, New York. He received a Bachelor's of Science degree from Fordham University where he was active in drama.

He began acting in the 1950s and was in "The Apple Tree" on Broadway in 1966. He began to play Hawkeye in 1972 and was the only series regular to appear in all 251 episodes. He directed the final episode, "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen", which many say was the most-watched show in history.

8. The medical drama that included the character Doug Ross was "ER". The actor who played Doug has gone on to grace magazine covers, star in a number of movies and has also done film producing. Who is this Hollywood luminary?

Answer: George Clooney

George Timothy Clooney, nephew of the famous singer Rosemary Clooney, was born on May 6,1961 in Lexington, Kentucky. His mother was a pageant queen and his father was an anchorman and quiz show host. Before "ER", George appeared on "The Facts of Life", "The Golden Girls" and "Roseanne" among other shows, but "ER" brought his compelling good looks to national attention.

He left the show in 1999 to go on to a very successful Hollywood career.

9. "ER" had a number of cast members who achieved much popularity. The character Mark Greene was a doctor at County General Hospital for 8 seasons. His departure from the series came with his death from a brain tumor in the show's 8th year. Where did he die?

Answer: In Hawaii where he went to spend his last days when his condition was diagnosed as inoperable.

Anthony Charles Edwards, who played Mark Greene, was born on July 19, 1962 in Santa Barbara, California. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in England on a scholarship and subsequently studied theater arts at the University of Southern California.

He left school at 19 to begin his acting career. He began his role in "ER" in 1994 and stayed until 2002. During this period, he received four Emmy nominations.

10. The number of careers that flourished because of "ER" is a real tribute to the series creator, former doctor Michel Crichton, who based the material on his experience as a resident in a busy emergency room. Noah Wyle played John Truman Carter III. His role on the series began when he joined County General as an intern. In season 6, he was stabbed by a psychotic patient, but survived. Another staff member was stabbed at the same time but was killed. Who was this other victim?

Answer: Medical student, Lucy Knight, played by Kellie Martin

Noah Strausser Speer Wylie was born on June 4, 1971 in Hollywood, California. He studied at the Thatcher School in Ojai, California and participated in a theater arts program at Northwestern University. He had a small part in "A Few Good Men" but his first notable career achievement was playing John Carter, who we watched "become a doctor" on "ER".

Source: Author janslam

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor guitargoddess before going online.
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TV Doctors Multiple Choice Quiz | Professions on TV

Shows about doctors and hospitals have been popular since the 1960s. Let's see what you remember about some of them.

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