Only A Real TV Buff Knows Who Played These Iconic Characters

Some of the best acting performances have come from television, because actors get a few years to really settle into their characters and feel out all of the dimensions of their personality and figure out who they are. It’s a terrific medium for an actor. When you do a movie, you only play the part for like three weeks of shooting and the narrative and the character arc will only last about an hour and a half, so you don’t really get much wiggle room. Unless the character is the focal point of a truly epic cinematic tale, like Forrest Gump or Michael Corleone or Beatrix “The Bride” Kiddo, then there’s not an awful lot you can do with the character. But television? Forget about it! There’s a whole new fleshed-out story arc to take this character through every single year. Each season of a TV show presents a brand new journey for each of the characters. They might go through a new romantic entanglement or they might take on a new job and feel out their new work environment. Whatever they do, it presents a new challenge for the actor playing them. Television has given us some of the greatest characters of all time, and out of that, some of the greatest actors of all time. Can you name the actors who played all of these iconic TV roles? Take the quiz to find out!

Question 1

Who played Walter White?

Walter White is often cited as the greatest TV character of all time, just as the show he is from, Breaking Bad, is often cited as the greatest TV series of all time. The actor who played him was best known for comedies like Seinfeld and Malcolm in the Middle before starring in Breaking Bad and delivering what Anthony Hopkins has called the finest acting he has ever seen. Which actor played the role of Walter White in Breaking Bad?

Question 2

Who played Michael Scott?

The character of Michael Scott, the boss in the US remake of the seminal British sitcom The Office, began as more or less a carbon copy of his UK counterpart David Brent, but the actor who played him made the part his own and brought an added sweetness and innocence to him. That actor has since gone on to become one of the biggest movie stars in the world with films like Date Night and Despicable Me and Anchorman. Who is he?

Question 3

Who played Liz Lemon?

The actress who played Liz Lemon, the lead character on 30 Rock, also created the series, based on her earlier experiences as a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live. She had originally written the series to be set around the production cycle of a cable news show, but the network executives could tell that she was basing it on her SNL experiences, so they encouraged her to just do that. She’s now a big movie star. Who is she?

Question 4

Who plays Eleven?

The role of Eleven on Stranger Things, the Duffer brothers’ beloved science fiction series on Netflix that pays homage to the pop culture of the ‘80s and the works of Stephen King and Steven Spielberg, is played by a brilliant young actress. She was struggling before getting the role of Eleven on the show, but now, she doesn’t have any problem getting work. She has a role in the new sci-fi movie Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Who is she?

Question 5

Who plays Tyrion Lannister?

Tyrion Lannister Game of Thrones

Tyrion Lannister very quickly became one of the most popular characters on the critically acclaimed and highly rated HBO fantasy drama series Game of Thrones, and while he was originally just a supporting character in a huge ensemble cast, his role has been significantly expanded to be one of the lead roles in the whole show. The actor was previously known for two dimensional roles in Elf and Death at a Funeral, but GoT has given him a chance to show off his range. Who is he?

Question 6

Who played Leslie Knope?

The actress who played Leslie Knope, the lead character in the fun, lighthearted political satire Parks and Recreation, is one of the most beloved comic actors in the world. She’s so popular that she managed to take on Star Wars: The Force Awakens at the box office in 2015, literally on the same release date, with her movie Sisters, and that movie was still a huge commercial success! She also produced Broad City. What is the name of this actress?

Question 7

Who plays Rick Grimes?

The actor who currently plays the mentally unstable local sheriff Rick Grimes on AMC’s zombie drama series The Walking Dead was previously best known for playing the role of that guy in Love Actually who holds up signs at the front door to Keira Knightley in which he expresses his love for her. Now, of course, we know him best as Rick Grimes, the guy who keeps the survivors together in TWD and has the occasional freakout. Who is he?

Question 8

Who played Barney Stinson?

The actor who played Barney Stinson is a gay icon in real life, and yet the character he played on How I Met Your Mother is the least gay character you could possibly imagine. He’s the biggest, most ravenous lothario on television. The actor originally played a child doctor called Doogie Howser and has had a successful career as an adult, thanks to a combination of HIMYM and playing himself in the Harold and Kumar movies, also as a straight guy. Who is he?

Question 9

Who played Don Draper?

Along with the likes of Walter White and Tony Soprano and Vic Mackey, Don Draper – the lead character of the AMC drama series Mad Men – is cited by critics as one of the great TV antiheroes of the 21st century. The actor who played him has since gone on to star in all kinds of movies and TV shows. He was a pervert in Black Mirror, a jerk in Bridesmaids, a spy in Keeping Up with the Joneses, and a petty criminal in Baby Driver. Who is he?

Question 10

Who played Monica Geller?

Very few shows can claim to have been as successful as Friends. How many shows can say that they lasted for ten seasons and regularly drew in tens of millions of viewers and still do to this very day with reruns, almost twenty years after they went off the air. Monica Geller was one of the most popular characters on the show. We all know someone that uptight who love to play host and get really uptight and OCD about cleanliness. Who played her?

Question 11

Who plays Offred?

The actress who plays the lead role of Offred in the Hulu series adaptation of the seminal Margaret Atwood dystopian science fiction novel The Handmaid’s Tale originally played a supporting role on the AMC drama series Mad Men. Thankfully, The Handmaid’s Tale – which is strikingly relevant in today’s social and political climate – will be back for a second season and it wasn’t just a one-off thing, because we need more of that stuff. Who plays Offred in The Handmaid’s Tale?

Question 12

Who played Tony Soprano?

If anyone on the internet or in an entertainment magazine ever creates a list of the greatest television characters of all time, you can almost guarantee that Tony Soprano will be in the top two or three of those characters. Never before had there been such a flawed character leading a TV show as its protagonist. This was brand new stuff that paved the way for your Heisenbergs and your Don Drapers. Who played Tony in the HBO drama The Sopranos?

Question 13

Who played Jesse Pinkman?

It is widely believed by many fans and critics that Vince Gilligan named the sidekick and partner in crime of Walter White with the name Jesse Pinkman as a way of referencing Quentin Tarantino’s Mr. White and Mr. Pink characters from Reservoir Dogs. Jesse and Walt developed a great father/son relationship over the course of the five seasons of Breaking Bad. The actor now stars on The Path on Hulu and BoJack Horseman on Netflix. Who played Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad?

Question 14

Who voices Brian Griffin?

Family Guy tried to kill off the character of Brian Griffin a couple of years ago, but the fans love him so much that after all the outrage, they decided to bring him back. Brian is voiced by the same guy who created the show and also voices Stewie, Peter, Quagmire, Tom Tucker, Carter, Dr. Hartman, and a bunch of other characters on the show – and Stan Smith and Roger the Alien in his other show American Dad!, too. Who is he?

Question 15

Who plays Jon Snow?

Just like Brian Griffin (and that guy from Dallas), Jon Snow was brought back from the dead. There were already murmurings that he wasn’t really dead after being stabbed and left to bleed out in the snow by his men, when his creator George RR Martin slyly suggested that he wasn’t really dead. The actor who plays him will surely be a big star in the future. He’s already starred in the Spooks movie, The Greater Good. Who is he?

Question 16

Who played Carl Grimes?

In the latest season of The Walking Dead, Carl Grimes is (SPOILER ALERT!) killed by walkers. To some, that was a blessing that they had been waiting for since the show began, since they hated the character. But to others, it was devastating, because they loved the actor who played him. The actor was on the shortlist for Spider-Man in the latest casting cycle, but sadly lost out on the role. So, who played Carl Grimes on The Walking Dead?

Question 17

Who played Jim Halpert?

The guy who played Jim Halpert in the US remake of the British sitcom The Office – replacing Tim, the British character that Martin Freeman played in the original – has moved on to making movies in his time since The Office. He just directed a really intense horror movie called A Quiet Place, which he starred in alongside his wife Emily Blunt. Seriously, check it out – it’s great. He was also in the Michael Bay movie 13 Hours. Who is he?

Question 18

Who played Buffy Summers?

Buffy Summers, the titular vampire slayer from the show (and wider franchise of media) Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is frequently included on lists of the greatest female TV characters of all time, because she is an emotionally complex badass! There’s sadly not that many female characters who are emotionally complex OR a badass, so when one comes along who’s both, it’s something truly special. The actress who played Buffy was Daphne in the Scooby Doo movies. Who played Buffy Summers?

Question 19

Who played Elaine Benes?

Elaine Benes was a special kind of character. For starters, she came into the world during the 1990s and she was one of the only outspoken feminists on TV. She didn’t care what people thought of her, she slept with whoever she wanted, she ignored the pressures to get married and have kids, and she advocated abortion. The actress who played her now has a shelf full of Emmys for her starring role on the HBO political comedy series Veep. Who played Elaine Benes?

Question 20

Who played Ron Swanson?

Ron Swanson, the Director of the Parks Department in the NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation, is one of the funniest and most unique comic creations in the history of American television. That is no exaggeration – he’s hilarious! The actor who played him is really married to the actress who played Tammy in real life. He has a comedy special called American Ham on Netflix and he was in both Jump Street movies. Who played Ron Swanson in Parks and Rec?

Question 21

Who played Chandler Bing?

The actor who played the role of Chandler Bing on ten seasons of Friends now stars in a new sitcom on CBS that adapts the Neil Simon play The Odd Couple for television. It’s a good show with a lot of fans, but nowhere near the ridiculous fan base that Friends had when it was on the air, and continues to have today, even in reruns more than twenty years later. So, who played Chandler Bing on the NBC sitcom Friends?

Question 22

Who voices Homer Simpson?

The Simpsons has been renewed by Fox up to season 30, which will make it the longest running primetime series in US television history. Quite an achievement, right? And it’s had such a huge influence on the world of comedy. Most of that success is down to the lead character of Homer Simpson, whose endearing and lovable idiocy keeps viewers coming back every week. There are some really talented voice actors in the cast of The Simpsons. Who voices Homer Simpson?

Question 23

Who played Dexter Morgan?

The character of Dexter Morgan is a very interesting one. He’s even more interested than his key inspiration, Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, because Dexter isn’t just a conflicted serial killer with murderous tendencies. Dexter is a serial killer who kills other serial killers in a serial manner – and it gets him into an awful lot of trouble. The actor who played Dexter was just in the movie Game Night. Who played Dexter Morgan in his namesake Showtime drama series?

Question 24

Who plays Daenerys Targaryen?

The actress who plays Daenerys Targaryen on the smash hit HBO fantasy drama series Game of Thrones, adapted from George RR Martin’s book series A Song of Ice and Fire, is now becoming a huge star in her own right. She’ll be seen later this year in Solo: A Star Wars Story, the Star Wars spinoff focusing on the origin story of Han Solo. She was also in the movie Terminator: Genisys. Who plays Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones?

Question 25

Who plays Negan?

Negan, the murderous psychopath with the baseball bat wrapped in barb wire named Lucille, is one of the most menacing and devilishly entertaining villains in the history of television. He was introduced a couple of years ago in the sixth season finale of The Walking Dead and he has since become one of the most popular characters on the show, despite all the horrible things he has done. Who is the Watchmen actor that plays him on the zombie show?

Question 26

Who played George Costanza?

The name Costanza was taken by Jerry Seinfeld from his real life friend Mike Costanza, but then that guy objected to his name being used for an idiotic character, so he tried to sue Seinfeld and NBC for millions of dollars – suffice to say, that friendship didn’t last for very long after that. Anyone should be flattered to be the namesake of George Costanza, one of the most iconic and beloved characters ever created. Who played this short, stocky, slow-witted bald man?

Question 27

Who plays Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman?

It was one of the best decisions in television history to do a prequel spinoff series from Breaking Bad focusing on the awesome “criminal” lawyer Saul Goodman in his earlier life with his original name, Jimmy McGill. Better Call Saul is now one of the greatest TV dramas on the air right now. It’s really addictive and watchable and entertaining. The actor who plays him is a comedy legend who revolutionized sketch comedy. What legendary comedy actor plays Saul Goodman?

Question 28

Who played Stringer Bell?

The actor who played the role of business savvy drug dealer Stringer Bell in HBO’s seminal crime drama series The Wire has gone on to become a huge star. Some people are petitioning to get him to be the next James Bond! He provided the voice of Shere Khan in the new Disney live action remake of The Jungle Book, as well as roles in a ton of other Hollywood blockbuster movies. He was one of the voices in Finding Dory. Who is he?

Question 29

Who played Jack Bauer?

For some reason, it’s been decided that all action hero characters have the initials “JB.” First, there was James Bond, then there was Jason Bourne, and then there was Jack Bauer in Fox’s timely terrorism drama series 24. The actor who played Jack Bauer got something of a comeback with 24, because he had faded out after coming to prominence in the ‘80s with roles in movies like The Lost Boys and Stand By Me. Who is this badass actor?

Question 30

Who plays Sherlock Holmes?

The BBC drama series Sherlock is so popular because it takes a character who everyone loved like two hundred years ago and brings him into the modern day. Sherlock gives us a Sherlock Holmes who lives in a time where iPhones and computers and cars exist. The show isn’t necessarily over yet, since they could do more seasons or special episodes, but the two lead actors are so busy these days. They’re both in the MCU! Who plays Sherlock Holmes?

Question 31

Who plays Carrie Mathison?

Carrie Mathison is a complex character. It’s not often that we get to see a female character lead a TV show and have all the flaws and problems and idiosyncrasies that a male character would usually have. Homeland is not a particularly groundbreaking show. Its terrorism based storylines are contrived and follow all the offensive stereotypes that they should be avoiding and that often gets them into trouble with minority groups and foreign governments. But this character’s different. Who plays her?

Question 32

Who played Jax Teller?

Jax Teller, the lead character in the FX biker drama Sons of Anarchy, wanted nothing more than to make his father proud. The main problem in this was that his father was dead, so he never really knew if his father was proud of him or not. What’s awesome is that, despite being a show about a badass biker gang, Sons of Anarchy is an adaptation of the seminal William Shakespeare play Hamlet. Crazy, right? Who played Jackson “Jax” Teller?

Question 33

Who plays Supergirl?

Supergirl moving to the CW was the best thing that could’ve happened to the show. It didn’t really have a chance to spread its wings and fly (okay, Supergirl the character doesn’t need wings to fly – but this metaphor refers to the TV show as an entity, not the character) on CBS. On the CW, it gets that chance. Plus, it gets to have Superman in it and cross over with the likes of Arrow and The Flash. Who plays Supergirl in the show?

Question 34

Who played Rust Cohle?

Along with Martin Hart, Rust Cohle is one of the two leading characters in the first season of True Detective. It’s one of the best seasons of television ever crafted. The second, sadly, did not live up to it. Maybe the third one will. That’s on its way to HBO soon and it’s set in the Ozarks (just like another TV show that’s on Netflix right now). Which Oscar winning A-list star played Rust Cohle in True Detective season 1?

Question 35

Who plays Daryl Dixon?

Daryl Dixon is one of the only character from The Walking Dead – hey, maybe the only one at all – who the show could not afford to kill off, because too many people would stop watching the show. So many people would stop watching the show that they couldn’t afford to make it anymore. There’s even the phrase, “If Daryl dies, we riot,” which TWD fans have circulated around on t-shirts and social media. Who plays Daryl Dixon on the show?

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