QUIZ: Can You Name These Oscar Winners From The Baby Boomer Generation?
Each year, the Academy Awards (also known as the Oscars) honors 24 individuals for excellence in cinematic achievements. Of all the awards an actor can win, an Oscar is one of the most coveted. There is a long list of acclaimed baby boomers who have earned their spot in Academy Award history. While some of these baby boomers have won multiple Academy Awards, others have been nominated but haven’t taken home that gold statue just yet. Put your knowledge to the test and see how much you know about these Oscars winners and nominees from the baby boomer generation.
This baby boomer won an Oscar for his portrayal of an endearing man with a below average IQ and a deep devotion to his loved ones and duties.
A. Robin Williams
B. Kevin Spacey
C. Pierce Brosnan
D. Tom Hanks
Answer: Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks won an Oscar for Best Actor for his leading role in Forrest Gump. Interestingly, another baby boomer, John Travolta, turned down the role of Forrest!
This actor and filmmaker won two Oscars for his work in Braveheart.
A. Tom Hanks
B. Tom Cruise
C. Pierce Brosnan
D. Mel Gibson
Answer: Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson won Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture for 1996’s
Braveheart
.
This baby boomer took home the 2018 Oscar for Best Actress for her role in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
A. Meryl Streep
B. Margot Robbie
C. Sally Hawkins
D. Francis McDormand
Answer: Francis McDormand
Born in 1957, Frances McDormand snagged her first acting role in the early ’80s.
This baby boomer won an Oscar for his portrayal of an offbeat psychology professor.
A. George Clooney
B. Liam Neeson
C. Adam Sandler
D. Robin Williams
Answer: Robin Williams
Robin Williams played Sean Macguire in Good Will Hunting. He won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
She won an Oscar for her portrayal of FBI trainee and UVA graduate, Clarice Starling.
A. Kim Basinger
B. Mary McDonnell
C. Michelle Pfeiffer
D. Jodie Foster
Answer: Jodie Foster
Hello Clarice. Jodie Foster gave a knockout performance in The Silence of the Lambs.
Fans love this baby boomer for her array of projects, ranging from series such as The West Wing to movies like Juno and Hairspray.
A. Elizabeth Moss
B. Laurie Metcalf
C. Michelle Pfeiffer
D. Allison Janney
Answer: Allison Janney
Allison Janney won her first Oscar for her supporting role in I, Tonya.
This baby boomer was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for their role in Pulp Fiction but didn’t win.
A. John Travolta
B. Uma Thurman
C. Tim Roth
D. Samuel L. Jackson
Answer: Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson played Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction, which was released in 1994. Jackson wasn’t the only Pulp Fiction baby boomer nominated for an Oscar!
In addition to Forrest Gump, which other early ’90s film did Tom Hanks snag a Best Actor Oscar for?
A. Big
B. Saving Private Ryan
C. Cast Away
D. Philadelphia
Answer: Philadelphia
Tom Hanks was nominated for an Oscar for all of these roles but only took home Academy Awards for Forrest Gump and Philadelphia.
This lovable baby boomer has been nominated for more Oscars than any other actress of her generation.
A. Anjelica Houston
B. Annette Benning
C. Tilda Swinton
D. Meryl Streep
Answer: Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep has been nominated for 21 Oscars and has taken home the award for three.
This baby boomer won an Oscar for his role in which he said the iconic line, “I drink your milkshake!”
A. Kyle MacLachlan
B. Willem Dafoe
C. Bruce Willis
D. Daniel Day-Lewis
Answer: Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis won an Oscar for his performance in There Will Be Blood.
This baby boomer won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in The King’s Speech.
A. Jeff Bridges
B. Mark Ruffalo
C. Tom Cruise
D. Colin Firth
Answer: Colin Firth
Colin Firth has been nominated for two Oscars and has won one.
Which baby boomer won an Oscar for his performance in My Left Foot?
A. Tom Cruise
B. Robin Williams
C. Morgan Freeman
D. Daniel Day-Lewis
Answer: Daniel Day-Lewis
While all of these actors were up for an Oscar in 1989, Daniel Day-Lewis took home the award for his performance in My Left Foot.
He’s a director, screenwriter, producer, and novelist who took home the 2018 Oscar for Best Director.
A. Christopher Nolan
B. Jordan Peele
C. Paul Thomas Anderson
D. Guillermo del Toro
Answer: Guillermo del Toro
Baby boomer Guillermo del Toro directed the Oscar-winning movie The Shape of Water.
In addition to Sophie’s Choice and The Iron Lady, which film did Meryl Streep win an Oscar for?
A. The Devil Wears Prada
B. Julie and Julia
C. Doubt
D. Kramer vs. Kramer
Answer: Kramer vs. Kramer
Meryl Streep won an Oscar for her role as Joanna Kramer in the 1979 movie Kramer vs. Kramer.
Juliette Binoche took home the 1996 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in what movie?
A. Jerry Maguire
B. Shine
C. Fargo
D. The English Patient
Answer: The English Patient
Juliette Binoche plays Hana in the romantic war drama The English Patient.
Daniel Day-Lewis won his third Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in this 2012 movie.
A. Silver Linings Playbook
B. The Master
C. Flight
D. Lincoln
Answer: Lincoln
Daniel Day-Lewis portrayed Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln. He announced his retirement from acting in 2017.
This baby boomer was nominated for Best Actor for his performances in Pulp Fiction and Saturday Night Fever but didn’t win.
A. Tom Hanks
B. Bruce Willis
C. Robin Williams
D. John Travolta
Answer: John Travolta
Born in 1954, John Travolta has been acting for nearly five decades!
This baby boomer was nominated for Best Actor for his performance in Shindler’s List but didn’t win.
A. Tommy Lee Jones
B. Daniel Day-Lewis
C. Bruce Willis
D. Liam Neeson
Answer: Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson lost the award to Tommy Lee Jones for his performance in The Fugitive.
Which one of these baby boomers has never been nominated for an Oscar?
A. Denzel Washington
B. Christophe Waltz
C. Viggo Mortensen
D. Bruce Willis
Answer: Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis has won multiple Emmys but has never been nominated for an Oscar. He’s still acting so maybe he’ll take home an Academy Award one day!
This baby boomer was nominated for Best Actor for his performance in Places In the Heart and In the Line of Fire but didn’t win.
A. Bruce Willis
B. Liam Neeson
C. Robin Williams
D. John Malkovich
Answer: John Malkovich
Born in 1953, John Malkovich has been acting for more than four decades!
