Few characters in cinema history have captivated audiences quite like the Joker. From the intense method acting behind the roles to the unique production quirks of various films, this iconic villain remains a subject of endless discussion among movie fans.
This quiz looks at the background details, contract negotiations, and physical transformations involved in bringing the character to life. You will see questions about specific on-set habits and the research methods actors used to define their portrayals.
When you finish this set, browse our villain profiles, check out method acting techniques, or study superhero movie history.
Heath Ledger kept a diary to help him get into the mindset of which iconic villain?
Scarecrow
Scarecrow
Two-Face
Two-Face
The Joker
The Joker
Bane
Bane
In which year was the film released that features Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of the Joker?
1989
1989
1998
1998
1992
1992
1995
1995
Reportedly, Jack Nicholson earned a substantial backend deal for his role as the Joker, ultimately totaling roughly how much?
100 million
100 million
80 million
80 million
40 million
40 million
60 million
60 million
How did Joaquin Phoenix lose a significant amount of weight for his 2019 title role?
A strictly controlled medical program
A strictly controlled medical program
Intensive high-intensity interval training
Intensive high-intensity interval training
A ketogenic fasting protocol
A ketogenic fasting protocol
A liquid-only juice cleanse
A liquid-only juice cleanse
Which actor playing the Joker famously refused to shave his mustache for the role?
Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson
Jared Leto
Jared Leto
Cesar Romero
Cesar Romero
Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger
Approximately how many pounds did Joaquin Phoenix lose to portray Arthur Fleck?
62 pounds
62 pounds
72 pounds
72 pounds
42 pounds
42 pounds
52 pounds
52 pounds
For his preparation as the Joker in ‘Suicide Squad,’ what did Jared Leto famously do?
Refusing to sleep for three days
Refusing to sleep for three days
Eating exclusively vegan food on set
Eating exclusively vegan food on set
Demanding a trailer with no windows
Demanding a trailer with no windows
Sending live rats to cast members
Sending live rats to cast members
In which production did Cesar Romero refuse to shave his signature mustache?
1966 series
1966 series
1989 film
1989 film
2016 film
2016 film
2008 film
2008 film
Where did Heath Ledger write recurring phrases like ‘Bye Bye’ while preparing for his role as the Joker?
Hotel room walls
Hotel room walls
Makeup mirror
Makeup mirror
Diary pages
Diary pages
Script margins
Script margins
How did Heath Ledger approach his on-set behavior while filming The Dark Knight?
He constantly practiced his laugh alone
He constantly practiced his laugh alone
He stayed in his full makeup off-camera throughout filming
He stayed in his full makeup off-camera throughout filming
He refused to speak to his co-stars
He refused to speak to his co-stars
He insisted on doing all his own stunts
He insisted on doing all his own stunts
What live animal did Jared Leto reportedly send to Margot Robbie during the production of ‘Suicide Squad’?
A live spider
A live spider
A live hamster
A live hamster
A live snake
A live snake
A live rat
A live rat
Jack Nicholson negotiated a backend deal for his 1989 role as the Joker, ultimately earning how much compared to his base salary?
6 million
6 million
10 million
10 million
15 million
15 million
20 million
20 million
Why did César Romero refuse to shave his mustache while playing the Joker?
He was allergic to makeup adhesive
He was allergic to makeup adhesive
He was filming another project simultaneously
He was filming another project simultaneously
He believed it was not visible under the makeup
He believed it was not visible under the makeup
He felt it was essential to his character
He felt it was essential to his character
How much weight did Joaquin Phoenix lose while preparing for his role in ‘Joker’?
62 pounds
62 pounds
42 pounds
42 pounds
52 pounds
52 pounds
72 pounds
72 pounds
In which type of location was Heath Ledger living while compiling his research notes for the Joker character?
A private apartment
A private apartment
A production studio
A production studio
A hotel room
A hotel room
A rented cabin
A rented cabin
Cesar Romero’s refusal to shave his mustache occurred in which specific production?
2019 film, ‘Joker’
2019 film, ‘Joker’
2008 film, ‘The Dark Knight’
2008 film, ‘The Dark Knight’
1989 film, ‘Batman’
1989 film, ‘Batman’
1966 series, ‘Batman’
1966 series, ‘Batman’
Which of these items did Jared Leto purportedly send to a cast member of ‘Suicide Squad’ as part of his method acting?
Bullets found on set
Bullets found on set
A live rat
A live rat
Copies of death certificates
Copies of death certificates
Graphic novels
Graphic novels
By some estimates, what was the final total Jack Nicholson earned from his Joker role when factoring in box office success?
50 million
50 million
60 million
60 million
70 million
70 million
80 million
80 million
What kind of material did Heath Ledger incorporate into his Joker research beyond his diary?
A history of stage magicians and ventriloquist dummies
A history of stage magicians and ventriloquist dummies
A collection of horror film scripts
A collection of horror film scripts
The complete history of the Joker in comics
The complete history of the Joker in comics
A documentary about clowns
A documentary about clowns
For how long did Joaquin Phoenix prepare his body for his role in the 2019 film about the character?
8 months
8 months
2 months
2 months
4 months
4 months
6 months
6 months
During the production of ‘Suicide Squad’, which behavior was famously reported as part of Jared Leto’s method acting approach?
Playing pranks on the cast and crew
Playing pranks on the cast and crew
Refusing to look at any other cast members in the eyes
Refusing to look at any other cast members in the eyes
Meditating for three hours before call time
Meditating for three hours before call time
Staying in the Joker’s dressing room throughout lunch breaks
Staying in the Joker’s dressing room throughout lunch breaks
What was the structure of Jack Nicholson’s initial compensation package for his role as the Joker in the 1989 film ‘Batman’?
$8 million base plus a percentage of profits
$8 million base plus a percentage of profits
$6 million base plus a percentage of profits
$6 million base plus a percentage of profits
$9 million base plus a percentage of profits
$9 million base plus a percentage of profits
$7 million base plus a percentage of profits
$7 million base plus a percentage of profits
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If you enjoyed these questions, look at our pages on troubled film sets, explore Hollywood legends, or read about design and costumes.
