Do You Know If These Famous Actors Are British or Australian?

ENTERTAINMENT

By: Gavin Thagard

7 Min Quiz

Image: Wiki Commons by Reijo Koskinen / Lehtikuva

About This Quiz

Turn on just about any television show or movie and you'll most likely find an actor who calls either Britain or Australia home. After all, both countries have a long and rich tradition in the performing arts, producing some of the best trained actors of the past century, as both television and film have expanded and grown into the multi-million-dollar industry that it is today. 

It's no surprise, either, that these two countries have put forth a talented roster of actors. Traditionally, Britain has been a leader when it comes to the world of theatre, giving us the brilliant playwright William Shakespeare and classically trained actors like Laurence Olivier. And Australia, having been a penal colony of Britain, carried much of that theatrical tradition throughout the course of its own cultural history. 

How well do you know the actors who hail from these two countries? From Cate Blanchett to Anthony Hopkins, can you recall if these actors are citizens of Britain or Australia? Here's a quiz where you can find out just that. 

When you're ready to see which country your favorite actors call home, get started on this quiz to see if you've been able to keep up with the British and Australian invasion of the Hollywood industry. 

Known for his role as Wolverine in the "X-Men" franchise, where does Hugh Jackman hail from?

A theatre performer himself, Hugh Jackman has had the honor of hosting the Tony Awards on several occasions. After hosting the 58th Tony Awards, Jackman won an Emmy for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.

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Where is Cate Blanchett, an actress known for both stage and film, from?

One of the most well-known actresses today, Cate Blanchett started her acting career performing on the stage in Australia. She received acclaim in 1992 after taking on the role of Electra in the Greek tragedy "Electra."

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"The Wire" helped Idris Elba go from a regional actor in which country to a global star?

Most people know Idris Elba for his acting, but he also performs as a DJ under the name DJ Big Driis. His love of music has led him into the realm of music videos, where he has appeared in videos from artists like Fat Joe and Mumford & Sons.

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You might recognize Kate Winslet from "Titanic," but do you know where she was born?

Kate Winslet narrated part of an audiobook in 1999, two years after her breakthrough role in "Titanic," called "Listen to the Storyteller." Her narration earned her a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children, proving she was a versatile performer.

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Chris Hemsworth plays Thor and is a native of which country?

A member of a family of actors, Chris Hemsworth received his first major role in the series "Home and Away" as the character Kim Hyde. He stayed with the series from 2004 until 2007, when he decided to move from television to film.

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What nationality is Christian Bale, an actor who isn't afraid to morph his body for a role?

Christian Bale was on the acting scene for over a decade when he finally got his break with "American Psycho" in 2000. However, his reputation as a serious actor was sealed when he played Trevor Reznik in "The Machinist," a role that required him to lose a significant amount of weight over a short period of time.

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You can find Kiera Knightley using her regional accent in "Pirates of the Caribbean." Where's that accent from?

Despite her success on the big screen, Kiera Knightley has not been one to shy away from more complicated roles in independent films. She was highly praised for her performance as Georgiana Cavendish in the biographical film "The Duchess."

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Andrew Lincoln got his start on local television shows in which country?

Andrew Lincoln became an international star when he was cast in the extremely successful show "The Walking Dead." In the show, he plays Rick Grimes, a small-town sheriff who wakes up from a coma to find that the world is in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.

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Nicole Kidman came from which country to film her first big Hollywood film, "Days of Thunder"?

Nicole Kidman began dating her co-star Tom Cruise while filming "Days of Thunder," which was released in 1989. The two of them got married in 1990, but the relationship only lasted for the decade, ending in 2001.

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Do you know where David Gulpilil, a traditional dancer turned actor, is from?

Growing up in Australia, David Gulpilil lived a traditional Aboriginal life in the bush, the parts of Australia that aren't near cities. He mastered the dance style associated with his culture, and his dance skills and charisma earned him a role in the film "Walkabout."

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Judi Dench has been acting for over 50 years after starting off in which country?

Though she's been widely successful in film, Judi Dench has made the biggest name for herself on stage, becoming one of Britain's top stage actresses. She has particularly mastered Shakespearean plays, performing in a range of his works from "Romeo and Juliet" to "Macbeth."

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Mel Gibson's career has not been without controversy, but he's still a talented actor from where?

After rising to stardom in Hollywood, Mel Gibson decided to move into more of a producer role, starting his own production company called Icon Productions. Some of Gibson's top films came through this company, including "Braveheart" and "We Were Soldiers."

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Do you know where the versatile actress Emily Blunt is from?

In 2018, Emily Blunt took on the role of Mary Poppins in "Mary Poppins Returns," a sequel to the classical film "Mary Poppins." She took over the role of Mary Poppins from fellow Brit Julie Andrews, who starred in the original production.

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Which country does Michael Caine, one of the greatest actors of the last century, call home?

A successful film actor, Michael Caine often teaches about the importance of eye contact and not blinking to young actors who are trying to play a strong character. The British actor even created a masterclass to teach these highly acclaimed techniques.

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This former model, Melissa George, became a star actress out of which country?

Melissa George might be known today for her roles in films like "The Amityville Horror" and "The Butterfly Tree," but once upon a time, the actress was a roller-skating competitor. She even won bronze and silver medals after competing in the 1989 and 1990 National Championships.

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Where is Jason Clarke, an actor with the ability to play both heroes and villains, from?

Jason Clarke is on record stating that he loves the art of acting, but he's opposed to the celebrity of it all. With stellar performances in films like "Lawless" and "First Man," it's easy to see that he puts a lot of time into his craft, so maybe the press should give him his space.

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"Get Out" helped launch the career of Daniel Kaluuya after starting his career off where?

Daniel Kaluuya earned several award nominations for his role as Chris Washington in "Get Out." He missed out on the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, but he did win the Rising Star Award during the same ceremony.

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Former child actress Naomie Harris was born in which country?

Trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in England, Naomie Harris started acting at an early age. One of her first roles was in "The Tomorrow People," where she played Ami Jackson for 16 episodes.

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You likely won't find a more popular actor (well, aside from his brother) from which country than Liam Hemsworth?

Liam Hemsworth reached international fame after playing Gale Hawthorne in the popular film series "The Hunger Games." He was part of all four films in the series, with the last one coming out in 2015. His older brother is Chris Hemsworth.

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He's known for immersing himself in his characters. Where is the method actor Daniel Day-Lewis from?

One of the most accomplished film actors of all time, Daniel Day-Lewis is extremely selective with the roles he takes on. Known for his intense character portrayals, he only steps out of semi-retirement for films that are both inventive and provide him with a challenge.

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Felicity Jones became a local star by landing roles in which country?

Felicity Jones was born for stardom from an early age, landing roles in films as young as 12 years old. However, she hasn't shied away from the stage, even performing for the Oxford University Dramatic Society in plays like "The Comedy of Errors."

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Can you recall what country Eric Bana, one of the stars of "Black Hawk Down" and the 2009 "Star Trek" reboot, calls home?

Hugh Jackman was the first Australian actor to play a Marvel superhero, but Eric Bana was soon called to take on a role in the era of superhero movies as well. He starred in the 2003 Marvel film "Hulk" and was praised for his performance, though the film wasn't as highly regarded.

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Carey Mulligan started her acting career on the stage in which country?

Carey Mulligan was recognized as a serious actress after giving an outstanding performance in "An Education." The role of Jenny Mellor earned her a BAFTA Award for Best Actress, as well as an Academy Award nomination in the same category. At the time, she was only 24 years old.

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Heath Ledger was a rising star from which country before his tragic death in 2008?

Heath Ledger received a posthumous Academy Award for his version of the Joker in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight." The film was the second in a trilogy; Ledger would have appeared in the final film had he not passed away.

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He's recognized for his role as Ragnar on "Vikings." Where is Travis Fimmel from?

When Travis Fimmel isn't acting, he likes to live a simple life away from the city, getting back to the roots of his childhood when lived on a dairy farm in Echuca, Australia. He has made claims that if he leaves the bright lights of Hollywood for good, he would be content living the farm life.

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Do you know which country Thandie Newton was raised in before starting her acting career?

Thandie Newton received an appointment to the Order of the British Empire in 2019. The honor recognizes both her work in film and her charity work, which includes leading the One Billion Rising flash mob as it sought to end violence in 2013.

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You might know Emilia Clarke as the Dragon Queen on "Game of Thrones," but what country is she native to?

Emilia Clarke wasn't a well-known actress prior to joining "Game of Thrones" in 2011, but the show immediately launched her to stardom. She has since been part of several blockbuster movies including "Terminator Genisys" and "Solo: A Star Wars Story."

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Simon Baker, the former lead in the show "The Mentalist," hails from which country?

Simon Baker started acting in the early '90s and slowly built up his reputation, eventually becoming a lead man in Hollywood. The industry decided to give back to the talented performer in 2013 when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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He made his film debut in 1996, but where did Chiwetel Ejiofor start his life and career?

Though he has proven he's a versatile actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor seems to have found a place as a star in historical dramas. In fact, his first major supporting role was in "Amistad," a film based on a true story about a slave ship named La Amistad.

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Where is Margot Robbie, the actress who played Harley Quinn in "Suicide Squad," from?

The Australian soap opera "Neighbours" helped put Margot Robbie on the international radar after she was cast as a series regular in the show. It wasn't long after leaving the show that she began receiving offers for major films like "The Wolf of Wall Street" and "Focus."

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He's a musician, author and actor, but can you recall the birthplace of Hugh Laurie?

Following in the footsteps of his father, Hugh Laurie attended Selwyn College in Cambridge. While in school, Laurie was part of the rowing team, which made it to the British national championship in 1977.

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You won't find a more accomplished actor than Anthony Hopkins, who is from where?

You won't find a more masterfully crafted villain than Hannibal Lecter, first portrayed by Anthony Hopkins in "The Silence of the Lambs." The part, which usually sits at the top of lists ranking the greatest villains of all time, earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. Hopkins is originally from Wales, which means he's technically a British citizen.

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Rose Bynre plays in films from comedies to dramas, but where does she home?

Rose Byrne found success in Hollywood in the early 2000s after being cast in "Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones." She went on to find roles in other action movies, including "Troy" and "X-Men: First Class."

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You would have to travel to where if you want to see Anna Torv perform on her home stage?

Trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Australia, Anna Torv (known for her roles in "Fringe" and "Mindhunter") spent most of her early acting career on the stage. While in college, she was part of productions like "Plenty" by David Hare and "Goodnight Children Everywhere" by Richard Nelson.

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He's one of the best character actors in Hollywood. Where did Gary Oldman start his career?

The son of a sailor, Gary Oldman didn't come from a family of artists like many high-level British actors. However, his talent for the craft was recognized from an early age, as he went to Rose Bruford Drama College on a scholarship, earning his B.A. in 1979.

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He portrayed of the most popular versions of James Bond. Do you know where Sean Connery is from?

Sean Connery is well-known for his iconic deep voice that helped him earn the part of James Bonds in "Dr. No." At first, Connery wasn't going to take the part because it meant he had to commit to a series of films, but he eventually changed his mind, knowing the series would help propel his career.

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Emilie de Ravin moved to Los Angeles from where at the early age of 18?

Emilie de Ravin might be a well-known actress from Australia, but her last name actually has French origins. No, it doesn't mean "raven." Instead, her last name, de Ravin, stands for "of the ravine."

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Classically trained actor Tom Hiddleston calls which country home?

Though he started acting for television in 2001, Tom Hiddleston proved himself as a capable actor on the stage in 2007 when he was cast in "Cymbeline" by William Shakespeare. The part earned him the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Newcomer in a Play.

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What country is Sophie Okonedo from, where she was in the movie "Young Soul Rebels"?

Sophie Okonedo first appeared on Broadway in 2014 as part of the revival of "A Raisin in the Sun," where she played Ruth Younger. After giving a masterful performance, she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.

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The "Chicago Fire" star Jesse Spencer was born in which country?

Aside from acting, Jesse Spencer performs in a band called Band from TV alongside Hugh Laurie, who co-starred on "House" with him. Spencer's music career can be traced back much further, however, as he was part of the Australian Boys Choir in the late '80s and early '90s.

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