Can You Guess the Real Names of These Lord of the Rings Characters?

By: Kennita Leon
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Guess the Real Names of These Lord of the Rings Characters?
Image: WingNut Films

About This Quiz

The very first Lord of the Rings movie was directed by Peter Jackson and was released in 2001. Shortly after, two of its sequels were released and one of the best film trilogies of all time was made. Of course, they were adapted for the screen from J. R. R. Tolkien's book series of the same name, but what many would call a confusing book was made that much more amazing when we saw it at the movie theater. Besides Jackson's great directing abilities, the series is amazing not only because of the different cities and creatures we were introduced to but also because of the characters.  The last film may have been released about 15 years ago, but the recent Hobbit series should have refreshed your memory about who is who. So, can you tell us the real names of these Lord of the Rings characters?

Of course, you know that Frodo was played by Elijah Wood and that the gorgeous Legolas was played by Orlando Bloom, but can you tell us Saruman's real name? Would you be able to correctly choose Arwen's, Bilbo's and Gimli's real names?  It's time to test just how many names you can correctly match to these Lord of the Rings characters. 

Sean Bean LOTR
New Line Cinema
What is Boromir's real name?
Russell Crowe
Johnny Depp
Sean Bean
Sean Bean acts as Boromir, the brave steward of Gondor. Boromir dies during the battle against Uruk-hai while attempting to defend Pippin and Merry.
Liam Neeson

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Frodo
Youtube
Can you tell us this person's name?
Tom Hanks
Jack Nicholson
Elijah Wood
Thirty-seven-year-old American actor Elijah Wood is a protagonist in the award-winning trilogy, Lord of The Rings. He portrays Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who has inherited a powerful ring (One Ring) from his relative.
Dustin Hoffman

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Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen)
New Line Cinema
What is Aragorn's real name?
Viggo Mortensen
Aragorn, the heir to the throne of Gondor, first appears as a ranger named Strider, in The Fellowship of the Ring. This character is portrayed by Viggo Mortensen, a Danish-American actor.
Clint Eastwood
Morgan Freeman
Sean Connery

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Gandalf (Ian McKellen)
New Line Cinema
What's this actor's real name?
Daniel Day-Lewis
Russell Crowe
Harrison Ford
Ian McKellen
Ian McKellen is a renowned English actor, made even more popular by his portrayal of Gandalf in the film series. Gandalf is a wise wizard who is able to foreshadow danger before it unfolds.

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Lord of the Rings The Two Towers11
tmdb
Is Legolas' real name Orlando or Nathaniel?
Orlando
Orlando Bloom is known as Legolas in the series; a shrewd elf equipped with a bow and arrow and the skillset to match. Legolas is the son of King Thranduil and a major fighter in the War of the Ring.
Nathaniel

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Billy Boyd
WingNut Films
What is the name of the actor who played Pippin?
Liam Neeson
Anthony Hopkins
Billy Boyd
Billy Boyd is seen on-screen as a troublesome hobbit, Pippin, who often finds himself in the midst of trouble due to his carelessness. Luckily, Pippin attempts to salvage himself later on in the film.
Edward Norton

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Dominic Monaghan
WingNut Films
What's this actor's actual name?
Gary Oldman
Dominic Monaghan
Dominic portrays Meriadoc Brandybuck, also known as "Merry." He is as mischievous as his best friend, Pippin and the two enjoy their travels together. He is, however, a fierce fighter in the battle of Minas Tirith.
Dustin Hoffman
Joaquin Phoenix

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John-Rhys Davies
WingNut Films
True or false: Gimli's real name is John-Rhys Davies.
True
John Rhys Davies portrays the fearless dwarf, Gimli of the Lonely Mountain. Gimli is part of the fellowship and is also great friends with Legolas, an elf.
False

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Ian Holm
WingNut Films
Which of these names belongs to this actor?
Clint Eastwood
Jack Nicholson
Tom Hanks
Ian Holm
Bilbo is the uncle of Frodo, who is featured at the start of the trilogy when he had the ring in his possession. Ian Holm portrays Bilbo, who passes the ring onto his relative Frodo before he leaves the Shire.

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Gollum - Andy Serkis
The Movie DB
What's this actor's name in real life?
Harrison Ford
Andy Serkis
Andy Serkis portrays the dark creature, Gollum, who is obsessed with obtaining the ring. Initially, he was a riverman named Sméagol before his evil transformation and obsession, which ultimately leads to his demise.
Michael Caine
Morgan Freeman

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Christopher Lee
WingNut Films
Can you tell us this person's name?
Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee he has been featured as a villain in many films, such as in The Lord of The Ring trilogy, where he acted as the protagonist Saruman. In 2015, he died from heart-related issues at 93 years of age.
Sean Connery
Christian Bale
Daniel Day-Lewis

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Hugo Weaving
WingNut Films
What's this actor's real name?
Hugo Weaving
Hugo Weaving is featured as Elrond, father of Arwen, Master of Rivendell and protector of the elves. In the film, Elrond has low confidence in humanity but eventually made a tough decision in order to protect his daughter.
Anthony Hopkins
Edward Norton
Gary Oldman

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Liv Tyler
WingNut Films
What is Arwen's actual first name?
Nicole Kidman
Meryl Streep
Natalie Portman
Liv Tyler
Arwen, an elf princess, is portrayed by actress Liv Tyler. Due to her love for Aragorn and her desire to be with him, she was faced with a dilemma because he is human. Arwen had to choose between him and the elves, which would change the course of her life.

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Cate Blanchett
WingNut Films
Is Galadriel's real name Sarah or Cate?
Sarah
Cate
Galadriel, Lady of the Woods, was brought to life by actress Cate Blanchett. Galadriel was a friend to Frodo who often provided guidance and inspiration to him along his journey.

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Karl Urban
WingNut Films
What is the name of the actor who played Eomer?
Harrison Ford
Karl Urban
Karl Urban has not only starred in the Star Trek films but has also been featured in The Lord of the Rings trilogy as Eomer. Eomer is Theoden's nephew and Eowyn's brother.
Dustin Hoffman
Joaquin Phoenix

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Craig Parker
WingNut Films
What's this actor's actual name?
Michael Caine
Jack Nicholson
Tom Hanks
Craig Parker
Craig Parker plays Haldir, a leader of the elves who was killed during battle while defending Rohan. Haldir also guarded the northern parts of the forests from the enemy.

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Miranda Otto
WingNut Films
True or false: Eowyn's real name is Sala Baker.
True
False
Miranda Otto plays the beautiful Eowyn, sister of Eomer and Theoden's niece. She longs to fight in battle as a brave soldier and eventually takes her chance and kills the Witchking.

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Brad Dourif
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvKP88-o8m8
Which of these names belongs to this actor?
Clint Eastwood
Brad Dourif
Brad Dourif acts as Wormtongue, the pale and secretly evil advisor to the sick Theoden. The deceptive advisor has plans of his own which are eventually revealed, and he is subsequently banished.
Morgan Freeman
Sean Connery

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David Wenham
WingNut Films
What's this actor's name in real life?
David Wenham
Faramir is the often neglected and overshadowed son of Denethor, who is portrayed by David Wenham. Eager to prove himself as worthy as his brother, Boromir, Faramir finds himself in trouble with Sauron's army and narrowly escapes.
Christian Bale
Daniel Day-Lewis
Liam Neeson

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Bernard Hill
WingNut Films
Can you tell us this person's name?
Bernard Hill
Bernard Hill's character, Theoden, is initially depicted as old and feeble and insane. However, when he is no longer under Saruman's spell, he proves to be a formidable leader as the King of Rohan.
Russell Crowe
Anthony Hopkins
Gary Oldman

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John Noble
WingNut Films
What is Denethor's real name?
Edward Norton
Tom Hanks
John Noble
Denethor is the crooked ruler of Gondor, who is seen on screen as actor John Noble. He is consumed by his power and wickedness and directs it toward his son, Faramir.
Johnny Depp

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Paul Norell
WingNut Films
What's this actor's real name?
Joaquin Phoenix
Michael Caine
Paul Norell
The King of the Dead is portrayed by English actor Paul Norell. He leads the ghost army at the battle of the Pelennor Fields.
Harrison Ford

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Marton Csokas
WingNut Films
What is Celeborn's actual name?
Dustin Hoffman
Clint Eastwood
Jack Nicholson
Marton Csokas
Marton Csokas plays Galadriel's husband, Celeborn. Together, these two elves lived in Lothlorien and ruled Lorien as Lord and Lady. He was also the father of Celebrian.

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Harry Sinclair
WingNut Films
Is Isildur's real name Harry or Ron?
Harry
Harry Sinclair plays Isildur, who once served as the King of Gondor. He once possessed the ring of power but then made a fateful decision that eventually renewed Sauron's power.
Ron

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Bruce Hopkins
WingNut Films
What is the name of the actor who played Gamling?
Bruce Hopkins
In The Lord of the Rings franchise, Bruce Hopkins plays Gamling- the confidant and advisor to King Theoden of Rohan. Bruce enjoyed this role-play, stating that it allowed him to be a part of what felt like "a form of heaven on Earth."
Morgan Freeman
Liam Neeson
Christian Bale

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Sarah McLeod
WingNut Films
What's this actor's actual name?
Natalie Portman
Kate Winslet
Jodi Foster
Sarah McLeod
This female actress starred in the trilogy as Rosie Cotton, a hobbit who is the wife of Samwise Gamgee. In the fellowship of the Ring, we notice Sam's interest in Rosie, and, in the subsequent film, the two marry and have two children.

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Jed Brophy
WingNut Films
True or false: Snaga's real name is Jed Brophy.
True
Jed Brophy is an actor who has been seen in many of Peter Jackson's films, including the famous Lord of the Rings trilogy. He played various roles for this production, such as Snaga and Sharku in The Two Towers.
False

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Bret McKenzie
WingNut Films
Which of these names belongs to this actor?
Tom Hanks
Bret McKenzie
Bret McKenzie was such a favorite in this trilogy that fans nicknamed him "Figwit." The handsome actor's minor role in the first film was further developed in the third, where he was given a speaking role.
Sean Connery
Daniel Day-Lewis

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Martyn Sanderson
WingNut Films
What's this actor's name in real life?
Gary Oldman
Russell Crowe
Martyn Sanderson
Harry Goatleaf, the gatekeeper of the west gate in the trilogy, is portrayed by Martyn Sanderson. In 2009, 71-year-old Martyn Sanderson died after enjoying a career in film for more than 30 years.
Anthony Hopkins

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Sala Baker
WingNut Films
Can you tell us this person's name?
Sala Baker
This stuntman from News Zealand became a major part of the cast of Lord of The Rings when he portrayed the character, Lord Sauron. Sala Baker was also featured in The Two Towers as an Orc.
Johnny Depp
Joaquin Phoenix
Edward Norton

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David Weatherley
WingNut Films
What's this actor's real name?
Clint Eastwood
Dustin Hoffman
David Weatherly
During the War of the ring, Barliman Butterbur served as an innkeeper at The Prancing Pony in Bree. David Weatherly plays Butterbur's role, as a forgetful but friendly individual.
Morgan Freeman

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Lawrence Makoare
WingNut Films
Is Lurtz's (the leader of the Uruk-hai) real name Lawrence or Callum?
Lawrence
Lawrence Makoare plays one of the most feared characters and solider of Sauron- The Witch King. Here, he's pictured in another of his roles, the leader of the Uruk-Hai.
Callum

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John Leigh
WingNut Films
What is the name of the actor who played Hama?
Tom Hanks
Sean Connery
Christian Bale
John Leigh
In the second installment, The Two Towers, the character Hama is played by John Leigh. He was a man of Rohan and a door guard in Edoras. His character was killed during the Warg attack on Helm's Deep.

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Olivia Tennet
WingNut Films
What's this actor's actual name?
Scarlett Johansson
Natalie Portman
Olivia Tennet
Olivia Tennet assumes the role of Freda, a young girl kept safe in Edoras during battle thanks to Theoden. This was after Morwen, her mother, sent her and her brother, Eothain to warn King Theoden of impending danger.
Meryl Streep

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Elizabeth Moody
WingNut Films
True or false: Lobelia Sackville-Baggins' name is Elizabeth Moody.
True
Greedy and short-tempered Lobelia Sackville-Baggins was portrayed by Elizabeth Moody in The Fellowship of the Ring. Moody passed away in 2010 at 70 years old.
False

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Brian Sergent
WingNut Films
Which of these names belongs to this actor?
Harrison Ford
Brian Sergent
Brian Sergent plays the antagonistic role of the evil little hobbit, Ted Sandyman, in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He served as a power-hungry hobbit with ill intentions, similar to fellow hobbit Smeagol.
Morgan Freeman
Jack Nicholson

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John Bach
WingNut Films
What's this actor's name in real life?
John Bach
John Bach acts as Ranger Madril of Faramir's army. He assisted him in the battle against Haradrim in Ithilien but was ultimately killed by Gothmog, who stabbed him with a spear.
Dustin Hoffman
Johnny Depp
Michael Caine

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Sean Astin - > Samwise Gangee (Lord of the Rings)
Warner Bros. Ent. (2003)
What is Sam's actual full name?
Michael Caine
Sean Astin
Sam (Samwise Gamgee) is the best friend to Frodo and travels with him to Mount Doom to complete his mission. Sean Astin brings Sam to life, as a pure soul and a loyal and humble friend.
Johnny Depp
Christian Bale

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You Got:
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WingNut Films