About This Quiz
Where there's a hero, there's also a sidekick. Think you can name some of these TV and movie Western sidekicks off the top of your cowboy hat? Then you can easily hi-ho away with this here quiz of ours, if you're a huge fan of the genre, that is.
A true-blue small screen or silver screen protagonist will always have trusty people around them: if it's not a mentor who teaches them how to be a better person/fighter, then it's someone their heart desires (a love interest, of course!). And there's also the best friend or sidekick to supply their much-needed companion during times when loneliness sticks its nasty head in the door.
Why do stories need to have sidekicks for these gunslinging heroes? Can't they exist on their own? The answer here is simple. From a storyteller's point of view, a hero's journey won't be complete if he went at it alone. If the hero needs to reflect on a personal or moral aspect of their decision, then they need someone to act as a sounding board for them to process their thoughts better. As fighters, these sidekicks also act as their back-up in case the hero is pinned to a corner. And for lighthearted moments or moments of self-doubt, the hero needs to have a few laughs or listen to words of encouragement from their number one cheerleader -- their sidekick.
So yes, a sidekick is not just there for decoration or for extra fun. These characters are also formidable persons in their own right, and their heroes' journeys won't feel the same without them.Â
So, ready to saddle up to test your knowledge of Western hero sidekicks? Then swing on over and take this quiz!
Marshal Matt Dillon could always count on Chester Goode, is trusty sidekick played by Dennis Weaver in the television series.
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were married. They were both actors and singers.
Tex Ritter and Lloyd "Arkansas Slim" Andrews were buddies in the 1950s.
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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were played by Paul Newman and Robert Redford in the 1969 movie.
Leo Carrillo played the role of Pancho in the 1950s television series.
James West and Artemus Gordon were played by Robert Conrad and Ross Martin in the 1960s series, and by Will Smith and Kevin Kline in the 1999 movie.
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The character of Deputy Sheriff Lofty Craig was played by Brad Johnson in the 1950s television show.
The character of Tuco was played by Eli Wallach in the 1966 Western.
Jesse's brother, Frank, is played by Allen Case on the 1960s television show.
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The character of Jedediah "Kid" Curry was Heyes' cousin and was played by Ben Murphy on the 1970s television show.
The real John Henry "Doc" Holliday died of tuberculosis when he was 36. He caught the illness from his mother.
Grizzly Adams befriended a bear cub who became his closest companion.
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Tonto was billed at The Lone Ranger's "faithful Indian companion" for the first few shows of the original television series.
Robert Blake of "Baretta" fame played Little Beaver in the television series.
The character of Deputy Marshal Johnny McKay was played by Peter Brown on the 1958-1962 television series.
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The characters of Cordell Walker and James Trivette were played by Chuck Norris and Clarence Gilyard.
The character of Joe Presto was voiced by Frank Welker on the 1997 animated television series.
George "Gabby" Hayes played Halliday in the original series.
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The character of Jemal David, a freed slave, was played by Otis Young.
The character of Marshal Frank Tallman was played by Mort Mills in the 1950s television Western.
The character of Rusty Lee was played by Eddy Waller on the 1950s television show.
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The character of Gordito was played by Chris-Pin Martin.
The character of Hogan was played by Clint Eastwood, who also starred in several other Westerns.
The characters of Cogburn and La Boeuf were played by John Wayne and Glen Campbell in the 1969 film.
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The character of Jingles P. Jones was played by Andy Devine in the 1950s television show.
The character of Tommy Lillard was played by Harrison Ford. Gene Wilder played Avram Belinski, a rabbi going to San Francisco.
The character of Luther Sprague was played by Charles Napier on the 1977 television series.
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The characters of the Gambler (Brady Hawkes) and Billy Montana were played by Kenny Rogers and Bruce Boxleitner.
The character of Deputy Marshal Will Foreman was played by Don Collier in the first season of the show.
The characters of Amos Tucker and Theodore Ogelvie were played by Tim Conway and Don Knotts in the 1979 comedy Western film.
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The series had some turnover, so Bret was backed up by his brother Bart, his cousin Beau, and his other brother Brent as the series progressed.
The character of George Russell was played by Buddy Ebsen in the 1950s television series "Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier."
The Beekeeper was played by Theodore Willis in the 1960 movie.
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Will's grandson, Jeff, was his sidekick. The character of Jeff was played by Dack Rambo.