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Real People - Sudden Death #1

The list below includes 20 real historical figures and 20 fictional or legendary characters. Click the people who are generally considered to have existed in real life.
Complainers will be erased from the historical record
Quiz by
PapaFurchetta
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Last updated: December 2, 2024
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First submittedNovember 14, 2024
Times taken104,263
Average score40.0%
Rating4.12
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Sudden Death. Clicking a wrong answer ends the quiz!
Aesop
Anna Karenina
Baba Yaga
Cleopatra
Confucius
Dorothy Gale
Dr. Frankenstein
Ebenezer Scrooge
Gautama Buddha
Genghis Khan
Hannibal (of Carthage)
Helen Keller
Hercule Poirot
Hippocrates
Ichabod Crane
Imhotep
Indiana Jones
James Bond
Jay Gatsby
Jesus
Johnny Appleseed
King Arthur
Lawrence of Arabia
Mahatma Gandhi
Nefertiti
Nikola Tesla
Norman Bates
Nostradamus
Odysseus
Peter Pan
Pocahontas
Rip Van Winkle
Robin Hood
Rocky Balboa
Ronald McDonald
Rosa Parks
The von Trapp Family
Tom Sawyer
Virgil
Willy Wonka
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63 Comments
dunkinggandalf2
+38
Level 72
Nov 26, 2024
Some of these are disputed.
PapaFurchetta
+3
Level 94
Nov 26, 2024
If you identify some in particular, I will look into them.
EconomicSnake
+24
Level 73
Dec 1, 2024
Per Wikipedia, Robin Hood's historicity has been debated. Not sure if its worth taking him off the quiz for, though.
AlexanderTheLarge
+36
Level 75
Dec 9, 2024
Jesus for sure is disputed.
MarcellDAvis
+22
Level 80
Dec 10, 2024
Robin Hood's historicity cannot be ascertained, he might have been real or is probably based on one or more real figures, but there is just not enough evidence to confirm that.

Jesus was likely a real historic figure since there are independent, non-christian sources mentioning him. Whether he was who he claimed to be according to the Bible is a different question of course.

Kontio100
+25
Level 55
Dec 23, 2024
There is hardly any credible researchers who argue that Jesus would have not been real person. So - end of debate.
Albrik
+14
Level 66
Dec 25, 2024
Jesus existed, I only deny that he was holy, just a simple human for me, but he existed
MarcellDAvis
+5
Level 80
Dec 27, 2024
SeaNomad, it depends on what you consider contemporary. Among the earliest sources, some of the Letters of Paul are dated around 15-20 years after the crucifixion. Paul was a contemporary of Jesus and claims to have personally known many who met him. I think the general consensus among historians is that Jesus was baptised by John, was involved in some uproar in Judaea and was later crucified by the Romans. Everything else is a matter of personal belief.
thisguy786
+1
Level 40
Mar 12, 2025
No he's not as he actually used to exist
MeMeMe333
+2
Level 71
Jul 22, 2025
MarcellDAvis, even if I believe that I have three arms doesn't mean I have three arms. Even if I believe I have no kidneys, I still have them. It isn't about belief. There are various trusted sources from the Roman times about Jesus and his existence.

There is a difference between facts and false facts, the existence of people is not based on whether the people of the future believe that they existed or not.

Raffles
+16
Level 81
Dec 1, 2024
Interesting quiz! But some are indeed debatable. For one, James Bond was indeed a real person. The American ornithologist was a friend of Ian Fleming, and the character was likely named after him. And many do argue that the legends of King Arthur and Robin Hood were based on real people of the same name, though I would not object to them being counted as fictional.
Dimby
+6
Level 83
Dec 1, 2024
Yeah, but the Bond film character is entirely fictional. It’s like how Prince Humperdinck from the Princess Bride is fictional even though he’s named after the musical act Englebert Humperdinck.
overtired
+12
Level 88
Dec 1, 2024
And that Engelbert Humperdinck took his name from another Engelbert Humperdinck, a German composer. Engelbert Humperdinck‘s real name was Arnold Dorsey. Engelbert Humperdinck the singer that is, not Engelbert Humperdinck the composer that Engelbert Humperdinck the singer took the name Engelbert Humperdinck from.
Dimby
+7
Level 83
Dec 25, 2024
So Prince Humperdinck was James Bond, is what you’re saying?
JackBeNimble
+7
Level 82
Dec 2, 2024
Yes, but there have been a number of fairly well-known real men named James Bond: the ornithologist famous for being the inspiration behind the fictional character's name, and racing drivers, sportsmen, etc. I'd recommend getting rid of this one for that reason. I clicked it because I thought it was just a very sneaky correct answer.
reissumies
+2
Level 77
Dec 2, 2024
Agree, thought about the same that he is a quite well-known ornithologist.
Dimby
+3
Level 83
Dec 1, 2024
This concept rocks. Nice one!
PapaFurchetta
+1
Level 94
Dec 1, 2024
Thanks, @Dimby!
ItzIngenious
+11
Level 66
Dec 1, 2024
I think Robin Hood should be replaced, otherwise good concept
cledun2
+19
Level 95
Dec 1, 2024
There's no more evidence for Jesus than there is for Odysseus and King Arthur.

I'll add that I am not a Jesus mythicist, but the sources for his life are not more reliable or objective than those for Odysseus, whom the ancient Greeks all believed was real. King Arthur as well is believed by many scholars to have been a real man, perhaps one Artorius or the Welsh king Athrwys.

Quizmaster
+32
Level ∞
Dec 1, 2024
> There's no more evidence for Jesus than there is for Odysseus and King Arthur.

That's not what the quiz asks. It says "generally considered to have existed in real life". Jesus is. Odysseus and King Arthur aren't.

But even so, this statement isn't accurate. We have written records about Jesus from just a few decades after he died. We have no such thing for King Arthur or Odysseus (because they almost certainly didn't exist).

PapaFurchetta
+3
Level 94
Dec 1, 2024
Thank you for taking care of this comment, @Quizmaster!
HyddenRizz
+1
Level 67
May 25, 2025
Most people don't consider Jesus to have existed though... Only a 1/3 of the globe is Christian.
mookieblaylock
+7
Level 78
Jun 20, 2025
That logic doesn't hold up. Only 1/4 of the globe is Muslim - that doesn't mean most people don't consider Mohammad to have existed. Only 7% of the globe is Buddhist - that doesn't mean most people don't consider Gautama Buddha to have existed...
sonntagskind
+3
Level 60
Jul 3, 2025
most historians indeed say that Jesus was a historical person, it doesnt matter if you are Christian or not (I'm not) but there was in all likelihood a person that the stories are based on
sumguy
+10
Level 87
Dec 2, 2024
There are no contemporary accounts for the historicity of many people from that era whose existence is not in doubt. The odds are good that there was a historical Jesus. Baptism cults were common at the time, the most famous of which being John the Baptist's.

Perhaps the best case for the historical Jesus is Luke's account of the Census of Quirinius as the explanation for why Jesus of Nazareth was born in Bethlehem, as required by prophecy. Matthew claims that Jesus was born during the reign of King Herod, but the census happened after Herod's death (and indirectly because of it) and didn't require relocation. Luke's account is definitely erroneous, so why did he write it? He could have just said that Jesus was from Bethlehem, but his contemporary audience knew that Jesus was from Nazareth. Luke's explanation was only necessary if there was a real Jesus of Nazareth.

blizzrd33
+1
Level 81
Dec 2, 2024
Good point well made about the gospel of Luke
perfectsevens
+6
Level 87
Dec 1, 2024
John Henry was a real person who the folk legend is based on. While I understand that the "John Henry Legend" is exaggerated, it may be better to find a different person since the quiz only says to pick the ones who are generally considered to have lived in real life which he very much did.
Quizmaster
+1
Level ∞
Dec 1, 2024
Maybe replace this one @PapaFurchetta?
PapaFurchetta
+3
Level 94
Dec 1, 2024
How about switching out John Henry for Baba Yaga? I figure no one will complain about a U.S. folklore figure being replaced by a Slavic folklore figure.
Quizmaster
+3
Level ∞
Dec 1, 2024
That was quick. Thank you!
SpartanLlama
+1
Level 79
Dec 1, 2024
Wow, got em all 1:06, fun quiz
PapaFurchetta
+1
Level 94
Dec 1, 2024
Thank you!
lexxie
+1
Level 82
Dec 2, 2024
There is a typo for Confucius; or is that an official spelling?
JackintheBox
+1
Level 82
Dec 2, 2024
The correct spelling is 'Confucius'.
EcceHomo
+3
Level 85
Dec 2, 2024
Yes, this. Confucious looks like an adjective.
PapaFurchetta
+4
Level 94
Dec 6, 2024
I'm going to somehow try to figure out a way to use "Confucious" as an adjective.
PapaFurchetta
+1
Level 94
Dec 4, 2024
Corrected - Thank you!
CaptainUnderpant
+5
Level 81
Dec 6, 2024
For some reason figuring out if Ronald McDonald is real or not really messed with my mind
PapaFurchetta
+1
Level 94
Dec 6, 2024
Fun fact: TV Weatherman Willard Scott was the first Ronald McDonald.
aarizhssn
+2
Level 73
Dec 6, 2024
Is Aesop not disputed? Wikipedia says his existence is "unclear"
Hollygomerryround
+3
Level 60
Dec 15, 2024
I didn't click Jesus, thought it was a trap lol
Bulbachan
+3
Level 60
Dec 20, 2024
King Arthur? Not real?

there are many historic books about Arthur as 1st King of Britons

Quizmaster
+1
Level ∞
Dec 20, 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Arthur#Historicity

> the consensus today being that if there was any possible historic figure person behind the many Arthurian legends, he would have been completely different from the portrayal in any of these legends.

raneman11
+2
Level 68
Dec 25, 2024
Seems like a cop out. Well, maybe there was an Arthur, King of the Britons, but he didn't get the right to rule from some watery tart throwing a sword at him. That's no way to run a government!
HyddenRizz
+2
Level 67
May 25, 2025
By that reasoning, Jesus shouldn't be on here either. Is pulling the sword out of the stone really any different to making water from wine?
postwaste
+1
Level 88
Mar 9, 2025
Well I didn't vote for him.
Nickelz
+3
Level 69
Dec 25, 2024
Helen Keller sneak
Balcaam
+1
Level 57
Dec 25, 2024
Excellent quiz!
azerifactory
+4
Level 47
Dec 25, 2024
I would replace King Arthur and Robin Hood one since they are disputed.
timshorts
+1
Level 61
Jun 20, 2025
So would I as those are the two I died on, and I'd say they are based upon actual people. Let's face it, even English people can't spell pretty basic Welsh names. Athrwys has no chance. They think that my cat, Cerys (a pretty basic and common name) must be named after a Kardashian so must also begin with K.
dumBunny
+1
Level 61
Dec 25, 2024
Norman Bates was based on serial killer Ed Gain. I can't say how accurate or liberal the basis was, but there was an inspiration based on a real person.
StarWarsLover
+2
Level 58
Dec 25, 2024
I was today years old when I found out Rocky Balboa was not a real person. Never seen the movies in my defense, just assumed he was real.
dumBunny
+1
Level 61
Dec 25, 2024
There is an interesting story behind this, involving real life boxer Chuck Wepner. Back in the 70's Wepner, largely an unknown boxer, went toe to toe against Muhammad Ali, landing some massive blows later in the fight, including one that unexpectedly dropped Ali to the canvas.

Stallone, at one point, said he was inspired to write Rocky, based on this fight. Wepner felt he was due some of the profits of the movie and franchise. Later, Stalone would deny this, leading to lawsuits and a settlement.

judrok
+1
Level 70
Dec 25, 2024
James Bond was a real ornithologist. The fictional spy was named after him.
Iwasdenied
+2
Level 63
Dec 25, 2024
I actually knew a guy named Indiana Jones.
isbetter
+1
Level 31
Jan 29, 2025
Leave religeon out of this.
Minecraftyoshi2
+7
Level 57
Feb 18, 2025
What do you mean, it is pretty obvious that Buddha was an actual historical figure. Even if you're not a Buddhist that doesn't mean that you can just exclude him from this quiz.
maur85
+1
Level 73
May 25, 2025
Wait, if James Bond isn't real, who wrote all those books about birds?
sonntagskind
+1
Level 60
Jul 3, 2025
Ichabod Crane was a US military officer
MississippiSnopes
+1
Level 66
Jul 30, 2025
This is poorly done. Characters like King Arthur and Robin Hood (and arguably Jesus) should not be on a quiz like this.
BautyArg
+1
Level 52
Sep 26, 2025
QM, try not to add any religious characters in those kinds of quizzes; I'm not willing to see either religious or mythicists arguing. thanks :)
nosuchthingas
+1
Level 68
Jan 11, 2026
i appreciate that some of these are debated and you made an informed choice on wether or not to count some (Robin Hood, King Arthur, Jesus, Odysseus, James Bond) as fictional or reel, but this being a Sudden Death quiz where even one mistake ends your game, I don't think there should be debatable options included
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