This is a game a couple of my friends from work and I play instead of working. Each of the following is a character actor you would recognize if you saw him. Where do you know these fellas from? Give sufficient information to show you have identified each gentleman.
This is a test of your pop cultural knowledge, not your internet research skills. Anybody can go to IMDB and look these guys up. Don’t do that.
I am offering no prize other than pride and the unquestioned right to lord your superior knowledge over the rest of the teeming millions. First one to get all twelve wins.
I’ll do actresses next, if this gets a positive response.
The only one of the dozen I can picture without reference aids is Arnold Stang. (“Sparrow” from THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM and the gas station guy that Jonathan Winters terrorizes in IT’S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD).
Best known as Larry from Newhart (“Hi, I’m Larry, and this is my brother Darrel and this is my other brother Darrel”), I’ve also seen him in Bladerunner. He was the toymaker who played chess with Tyrell and who Rutger Hauer and Darryl Hannah hid out with.
J.T. Walsh
If he’s who I think he is, he died recently, didn’t he? He was the pervert in the mental institute in the opening and closing scenes of Slingblade. He made Carl uncomfortable by talking about sexual stuff until, in the end of the movie, Carl finally asked him to stop.
“I hope life isn’t a big joke, because I don’t get it,” Jack Handy
“Did you ever wake up,
Bullfrogs on your–
Bullfrogs on your–
I mean mind?
Did you ever wake up with bullfrogs on your mind?
That’s a sure sign you got bullfrogs on your mind.”
– Wm Harris
Astin Pendleton’s most recent appearance was as the Medical Examiner in HOMICIDE.
Lee Ermey was a former Marine drill sargent who came to prominence in FULL METAL JACKET. Was also the voice of the commander of the plastic soldiers in TOY STORY.
Richard Libertini – Lots of “madman” roles. Best I can think of was the dictator in THE IN-LAWS. Also played Geezle in POPEYE (perfect casting).
Vito Scotti – lots of TV guest appearances, usually as an exciteable Italian.
Arnold Stang – best known for his voice work (TOP CAT) and Chunky candy bar commercials.
Others have been covered.
On the female side:
Charlotte Greenwood delightful British actress – sexy and playful with a deep throaty voice. Watch THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT.
Una O’Connell – played a lot of old women in the 30s, often for comic relief. BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, THE INFORMER.
Mary Wickes – best known for matronly parts. She was in SISTER ACT and was the voice of one of the gargoyles in Disney’s HUNCHBACK.
“What we have here is failure to communicate.” – Strother Martin, anticipating the Internet.
Wasn’t Marian Lorne Samantha Stevens’ ditsy aunt in Bewitched? Spoke with a slight stammer, always had her hand at her mouth saying “Oh, dear”, and usually turned Darrin into a pumpkinhead?
R. Lee Ermey actually was a drill sergeant, that’s why he keeps getting those roles so often. He was in Space: Above and Beyond, and The Frighteners, and more importantly Toy Story 1 & 2, all in exactly the same role.
He does play other characters occasionally, though.
My favorite Vito Scotti role was the episode of the Dick Van Dyke show titled “Give Me Your Walls!” One of my fave DvD shows, as well. One of the best lines: “Hey walls! Everything’s a-gonna be fine!” Marvelous.
I recognized Walsh, Sanderson, and Libertini right away. My personal fave is J.T. Walsh. He did kick butt in Slingblade, but I liked him best as that miserable sergeant in Good Morning, Vietnam.
Changing my sig, because Wally said to, and I really like Wally, and I’ll do anything he says, anytime he says to.
Allan Melvin - Alice’s boyfriend on the Brady Bunch
Frank Nelson - Always played the sales clerk on the Jack Benny Show
Vernon Dent - Three Stooges supporting player.
Lee Ermey - D.I. in Full Metal Jacket
Eric Christmas - never heard of him
Richard Libertini- the Latin American strongman with a Z-shaped scar in The In-laws
William Sanderson - Larry on Newhart
Arnold Stang - co-star in Arnold Scharzenegger’s first picture Hercules in Manhattan
Austin Pendleton - medical examiner on Homicide: Life on the Streets
Burton Gilliam - Slim Pickens’ right-hand man in Blazing Saddles
Vito Scotti - the undertaker in The Godfather
