# Character connections: A Bacon-esque game **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 5, 2013, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-connections-a-bacon-esque-game/673188 "2013-11-05T23:14:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-connections-a-bacon-esque-game/673188/1 "2013-11-05T23:14:07Z")
So, everyone’s familiar with the Kevin Bacon game, where two actors are connected if they’ve ever been in a movie together. Here’s a variation: Let’s consider two actors to be connected if they’ve played the same character. Obviously, the usual Kevin Bacon game, trying to find the shortest path between two actors, won’t work here, since many actors have only played characters unique to them. So let’s instead try to come up with the longest chain we can. Example: Orson Bean played Bilbo Baggins in the [Rankin-Bass _Hobbit_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077687/), and Martin Freeman played Bilbo in [the current _Hobbit_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0903624/). Freeman also played Arthur Dent in [The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371724/), as did [Simon Jones](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081874/). So we have a chain of Orson Bean - Martin Freeman - Simon Jones. Let’s stick to things that have an IMDb entry, since if we include the stage, then we’ll get nigh-endless chains bouncing around between Shakespearean companies. And for what counts as “the same character”, be creative. OK, go! ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-connections-a-bacon-esque-game/673188/2 "2013-11-06T00:41:46Z")
Starting where you left off, **Simon Jones** played Sir Walter Raleigh in [Black-Adder II](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088484/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1), and **Clive Owen** played Sir Walter Raleigh in [Elizabeth: The Golden Age](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414055/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1). \*\*Clive Owen \*\*played John Ridd in [Lorna Doone](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100056/)(the 1990 T.V. movie) and **Bill Tra** vers played John Ridd in [Lorna Doone](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0224505/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_14)(the 1963 miniseries). **Bill Tra** vers played George Adamson in [Born Free](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060182/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_11) and \*\*Richard Harris \*\*played George Adamson in [To Walk with Lions](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0132563/). \*\*Richard Harris \*\*played Professor Albus Dumbledore in [Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0241527/) and \*\*Michael Gambon \*\*played Professor Albus Dumbledore in… I’ll leave it here to give the next player a range of options for continuing the chain. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-connections-a-bacon-esque-game/673188/3 "2013-11-06T00:46:33Z")
Gordon MacRae - Hugh Jackman - Anthony Hopkins. Gordon MacRae played Curly from [Oklahoma!](http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0033142/?ref_=tt_cl_t1), a role also played by Hugh Jackman, who played [Van Helsing](http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0002557/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_28), who was also played by Anthony Hopkins. ETA: Wait - it’s a chain? I thought it was just three connected actors you wouldn’t normally think had a connection. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-connections-a-bacon-esque-game/673188/4 "2013-11-06T02:08:42Z")
Not a problem…I’ll just connect that up for you: \*\*Anthony Hopkins \*\*played King Richard the Lionheart in [The Lion in Winter](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063227/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_122) and \*\*Robert Hardy \*\*played King Richard the Lionheart in [The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088444/). \*\*Robert Hardy \*\*played Adolf Hitler in [The Bunker](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082114)and \*\*Derek Jacobi \*\*played Adolf Hitler in [Inside the Third Reich](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084140/). (Of course now I’ve Godwinized the thread.) \*\*Derek Jacobi \*\*played Claudius in [Hamlet](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116477/) (Kenneth Branagh’s 1996 version) and \*\*Alan Bates \*\*played Claudius in [Hamlet](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099726/) (Franco Zeffirelli’s 1990 version). **Alan Ba** tes played King George V in [Bertie and Elizabeth](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0310733) and \*\*Michael Gambon \*\*played King George V in [The King’s Speech](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1504320/). ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-connections-a-bacon-esque-game/673188/5 "2013-11-06T02:38:39Z")
Not sure what happened there. Of course it should be: \*\*Anthony Hopkins \*\*played Adolf Hitler in [The Bunker](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082114)and \*\*Derek Jacobi \*\*played Adolf Hitler in [Inside the Third Reich](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084140/). \*\*Derek Jacobi \*\*played Claudius in [Hamlet](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116477/) (Kenneth Branagh’s 1996 version) and \*\*Alan Bates \*\*played Claudius in [Hamlet](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099726/) (Franco Zeffirelli’s 1990 version). **Alan Ba** tes played King George V in [Bertie and Elizabeth](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0310733) and \*\*Michael Gambon \*\*played King George V in [The King’s Speech](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1504320/). ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-connections-a-bacon-esque-game/673188/6 "2013-11-06T03:19:20Z")
Robert Hays played Tony Stark in the [90s Iron Man cartoon](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115218/). Robert Downey, jr plays him in the [Marvel Cinematic Universe,](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371746/) and also plays [Sherlock Holmes](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0988045/?ref_=nm_knf_i3) in the recent movies. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Holmes in [Sherlock](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1475582/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1), and also played Khan in [Star Trek: Into Darkness](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1408101/). Ricardo Montalban played Khan in the [original ST universe](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084726/), and Mr Roark in the original [Fantasy Island](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077008/). Malcolm McDowell played Roark in the [90s remake of Fantasy Island](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0158408/), and Whistler in the [1990s Spider-Man cartoon](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112175/). Kris Kristofferson played Whistler in the [Blade movies](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120611/), as well as Jesse James in [The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091382/). Brad Pitt played James in [The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443680/), and Achilles in [Troy](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332452/). Kenneth Haigh played Achilles in a [TV version of Troilus and Cressida,](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083228/) as well as Brutus in 1963’s [Cleopatra](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056937/). Cam Clarke played Brutus in the 2005 video game [Shadow of Rome](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452052/), as well as Thor in [Marvel Ultimate Alliance](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0814207/). Chris Hemsworth plays Thor in the [Marvel Cinematic Universe](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800369/), and that’s where my chain craps out. So… Robert Hayes-\>RDj-\>Benedict Cumberbatch-\>Ricardo Montalban-\>Malcolm McDowell-\>Kris Kristofferson-\>Brad Pitt-\>Kenneth Haigh-\>Cam Clarke-\>Chris Hemsworth. 10-chain. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-connections-a-bacon-esque-game/673188/7 "2013-11-06T03:22:38Z")
Jeep Swenson and Tom Hardy - Bane Tom Hardy and Mel Gibson - Mad Max Mel Gibson and Marlon Brando - Fletcher Christian Marlon Brando and Russell Crowe - Jor-El Russel Crowe and John Malkovich - Inspector Javert John Malkovich and Randy Quaid - Lenny Small Randy Quaid and Sean McGraw - Lyndon Johnson Sean McGraw and Randy Means - John Connally Russel Crowe and Anthony Perkins - Inspector Javert Anthony Perkins and Vince Vaughn - Norman Bates ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-connections-a-bacon-esque-game/673188/8 "2013-11-06T18:50:53Z")
OK, so it looks like the longest we have so far is 1: Orson Bean (Bilbo Baggins) 2: Martin Freeman (Arthur Dent) 3: Simon Jones (Sir Walter Raleigh) 4: Clive Owen (John Ridd) 5: Bill Travers (George Adamson) 6: Richard Harris (Prof. Dumbledore) 7: Michael Gambon (King George V) 8: Alan Bates (Claudius) 9: Derek Jacobi (Adolph Hitler) 10: Anthony Hopkins (Van Helsing) 11: Hugh Jackman (Curly) 12: Gordon McRae With contributions from myself, **Morbo** , and **SpoilerVirgin**. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-connections-a-bacon-esque-game/673188/9 "2013-11-06T18:52:21Z")
Oh, and in case it wasn’t clear, they don’t have to connect up to the one I started the thread with-- That was just an example. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-connections-a-bacon-esque-game/673188/10 "2013-11-06T23:20:14Z")
Well, then…I have to take that as a challenge, don’t I? So, starting with Robert Hays again… In addition to Tony Stark, he played Ted Striker in [Airplane!](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080339/), which was adapted from [Zero Hour!](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051221/), where Striker was played by Dana Andrews, who played Sgt Dunn in [Lucky Cisco Kid](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032732/), a part previously played by Edmund Lowe in [The Cisco Kid](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021748/). Lowe also played Archibald Carlyle in the [1925 version of East Lynn](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0015775/), the same role in [the 1982 version](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0158596/) being played by Martin Shaw, who played Charles Cartwright in [Three Act Tragedy](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1469899/), an episode of Agatha Christie’s Poirot. The same character was played by Tony Curtis in a [1986 movie based on the same story](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091572/). Curtis also played Iago in [a version of Othello](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084453/). [Another version](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1725815/) had him played by Tim McInnery, who also played Catesby in the [1995 Richard III](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114279/), whereas in [Age of Kings](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0239157/) he was played by John Ringham, who played Pothinias in 1983’s [The Cleopatras](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084998/), a role also played by James Saxon in [1999’s Cleopatra](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0178130/). He also played Chaboulliet in the [1995 film of Les Miserables](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119683/)…a character seemingly missing from most adaptations (at least the English ones), but also played by Artus de Penguern in a [2000 French miniseries](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0230534/). de Penguern also played St Francis in [The Favour, the Watch, and the Very Big Fish](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101863/), a role also played by Mickey Rourke in [Francesco (1989)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097383/). Rourke also played Henry Chinanski in [Barfly](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092618/), a role that would be taken up by Matt Damon in [Factotum](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417658/). Damon also played Ralph in [The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084022/), a role more famously played (as Ralphie) by Peter Billingsly in [A Christmas Story](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/). Which is where my chain ends in this direction (but to loop it around a bit, Billingsly was a producer on Iron Man)… So, the chain now stands as… Peter Billingsly-\>Matt Damon-\>Mickey Rourke-\>Artus de Penguern-\>James Saxon-\>John Ringham-\>Tim McInnery-\>Tony Curtis-\>Martin Shaw-\>Edmund Loew-\>Dana Andrews-\>Robert Hays-\>RDj-\>Benedict Cumberbatch-\>Ricardo Montalban-\>Malcolm McDowell-\>Kris Kristofferson-\>Brad Pitt-\>Kenneth Haigh-\>Cam Clarke-\>Chris Hemsworth. 1. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-connections-a-bacon-esque-game/673188/11 "2013-11-07T01:39:53Z")
How about Leonardo diCaprio to Kate Winslet? [spoiler] **Leonardo diCaprio** played Romeo in [_Romeo + Juliet_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509), which character was also played by **Leslie Howard** in [\*Romeo and Juliet \* (1936)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028203). **Leslie Howard** played The Scarlet Pimpernel/Sir Percy Blakeney in [_The Scarlet Pimpernel_ (1934)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025748), which character was also played by \*\*Anthony Andrews \*\* in [_The Scarlet Pimpernel_ (1982)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084637). \*\*Anthony Andrews \*\* played Professor Moriarty in [_Hands of a Murderer_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099732), which character was also played by **Jared Harris** in [_Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1515091). **Jared Harris** played King Henry VIII in [_The Other Boleyn Girl_ (2003)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0357392), which character was also played by **Jonathan Rhys Meyers** in [_The Tudors_ (2007-2010 TV series)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758790). **Jonathan Rhys Meyers** played Dracula in [_Dracula_ (2013- TV series)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2296682), which character was also played by **Christopher Lee** in [_Horror of Dracula_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051554). **Christopher Lee** played Sherlock Holmes in [_Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056480), which character was also played by **Peter Cook** in [_The Hound of the Baskervilles_ (1978 TV movie, and admittedly also described as a farcical remake)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076161). **Peter Cook** played The Devil in [_Bedazzled_ (1967)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061391), which character was also played by **Elizabeth Hurley** in [_Bedazzled_ (2000)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0230030). **Elizabeth Hurley** played Delilah (“Dalila”) in [_Samson and Delilah_ (1996)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117547), which character was also played by **Hedy Lamarr** in [_Samson and Delilah_ (1949)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041838). **Hedy Lamarr** played Joan of Arc in [_The Story of Mankind_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051016), which character was also played by **Geneviève Bujold** in [_Saint Joan_ (1967 TV movie)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062226). **Geneviève Bujold** played Cleopatra in [_Caesar and Cleopatra_ (1976 TV movie)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074264), which character was also played by **Elizabeth Taylor** in [_Cleopatra_ (1963)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056937). **Elizabeth Taylor** played Maggie Pollitt in [_Cat on a Hot Tin Roof_ (1958)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051459), which character was also played by **Jessica Lange** in [_Cat on a Hot Tin Roof_ (1984)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088888). **Jessica Lange** played Blanche DuBois in [_A Streetcar Named Desire_ (1995)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114565), which character was also played by **Vivien Leigh** in [_A Streetcar Named Desire_ (1951)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044081/). **Vivien Leigh** played Emma, Lady Hamilton in [_That Hamilton Woman_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034272), which character was also played by **Glenda Jackson** in [_The Nelson Affair_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070437). **Glenda Jackson** played Queen Elizabeth I in [_Mary Queen of Scots_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067402/), which character was also played by **Jean Simmons** in [_Young Bess_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046564). **Jean Simmons** played Miss Havisham in [\*Great Expectations \* (1989)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096601), which character was also played by **Charlotte Rampling** in [\*Great Expectations \* (1999)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167187/). **Charlotte Rampling** played Anne Boleyn in [\*Henry VIII and His Six Wives \*](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070170), which character was also played by **Helena Bonham Carter** in [_Henry VIII_ (2003)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382737). **Helena Bonham Carter** played Ophelia in _Hamlet_ (1990), which character was also played by **Kate Winslet** in [_Hamlet_ (1996)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116477/). (Needless to say, I didn’t come up with this off the top of my head; I cheated and followed links through IMDB.)[/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-connections-a-bacon-esque-game/673188/12 "2013-11-07T15:11:12Z")
Ooh, nice, I was wondering when we’d see a sex-changed link. And I’m beginning to wonder if maybe most actors _are_ connected this way, after all. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-connections-a-bacon-esque-game/673188/13 "2013-11-07T19:17:09Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Ooh, nice, I was wondering when we’d see a sex-changed link. Also useful to know, [Quentin Crisp](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0187998/) played Queen Elizabeth I in _Orlando_. Since he’s also played Polonius in a production of _Hamlet_ (and Elizabeth I has of course been played by multiple actresses), that’s another useful linking point for going from men to women. > [@](#): > > And I’m beginning to wonder if maybe most actors _are_ connected this way, after all. Lots, but not all. Shakespeare, superheroes and superhero-like characters (Batman, Zorro, James Bond), certain historical figures, remakes–those all provide links. BUt most roles probably don’t link, so at least some fairly active performers who haven’t done any Shakespeare or Sherlock Holmes won’t link up. An interesting chain could also include a link where both actors are in the same movie; e.g., Harrison Ford and River Phoenix in _Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade_. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/character-connections-a-bacon-esque-game/673188/14 "2013-11-07T20:30:19Z")
How’s this: **Marcia Cross** played Jane Spofford in “Eastwick” (2002) which was first played by **Susan Sarandon** in The Witches of Eastwick. **Susan Sarandon** played Edda Mussolini in Mussolini & I (1985) who was also played by **Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio** in Mussolini: The Untold Story **Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio** played Maid Marion in Robin Hood: Prince of Theives, who was played by **Cate Blanchett** in Robin Hood (2010). **Cate Blanchett** played Elizabeth I in Elizabeth who was also played by **Judi Dench** in Shakespeare in Love. \*\*Judi Dench \*\*also played M in the recent James Bond series, a role previous played by \*\*David Niven \*\*earlier in the series. **David Niven** played Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days, a role also played by **Steve Coogan** in the 2004 adaptation. **Steve Coogan** played Hades in that Percy Jackson & the Olympians movie, who was played by **James Woods** in Disney’s Hercules. \*\*James Woods \*\*played HR Halderman in Nixon, who was also played by **Dave Foley** in _Dick_.