Stars' First Roles Quiz

Question: Which actor debuted in the comedy Carbon Copy in 1981, but later became known for more dramatic roles?

Answer: Denzel Washington debuted in the comedy Carbon Copy in 1981, but became known for more dramatic roles later in his career. His work was consistently praised by critics and his consistent success at the box office helped to dispel the perception that African American actors could not draw mainstream white audiences.

Question: Which film was Grace Kelly’s debut on the big screen?

Answer: Grace Kelly debuted on the big screen in Fourteen Hours. She would star in 11 motion pictures before leaving her Hollywood career to marry Rainier III, prince de Monaco, in 1956.

Question: Which wrestler signaled his turn to acting with an appearance in The Mummy Returns?

Answer: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made his turn from wrestling to acting with an appearance in The Mummy Returns in 2001. Although Johnson was neither the first nor the last professional wrestler to be courted by Hollywood, he was easily the most successful; he left wrestling for Hollywood permanently in 2004.

Question: Which actor’s film debut was in a horror movie where he played a teenager who was eaten in his own bed?

Answer: Johnny Depp’s first film role was in A Nightmare on Elm Street, where he played a teenager eaten in his own bed.

Question: Which was Mae West’s first Hollywood film?

Answer: Mae West’s first Hollywood film was Night After Night in 1932.

Question: Which star’s film debut was Mary Poppins in 1964?

Answer: Mary Poppins features the now-iconic screen debut of Julie Andrews.

Question: Whose first film, El laberinto griego, was completed in 1991 but not released until 1993?

Answer: Penélope Cruz’ first film, El laberinto griego, was completed in 1991 but not released until 1993. The same thing happened with her English film debut, Talk of Angels, which was completed in 1994 but not released until 1998.

Question: Which mock documentary was Amy Adams’ film debut?

Answer: Drop Dead Gorgeous, a mock documentary about beauty pageants, was Amy Adams’ film debut.

Question: Whose first credited film role in No Way Out was as a Black doctor treating a bigoted white patient?

Answer: Sidney Poitier’s first credited film role in No Way Out in 1950 showed him as a Black doctor treating a bigoted white patient, establishing a pattern for the kind of roles Poitier would play in his career.

Question: What was Lupita Nyong’o’s first film, for which she won an Academy Award?

Answer: Lupita Nyong’o’s first debut was 12 Years a Slave in 2013. She won an Academy Award for her perforance.