Sunday Puzzle: Famous Names

On-air challenge: Every answer today is the name of a famous person whose first initial and last name, in order, spell a word. For example, take Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence. The B of Benjamin + his last name spells BRUSH. I'll give you clues to the parts. You give me the names.

1. Oscar-winning actor (3,5) — expression of appreciation2. Singer with the Supremes (5,4) — worthless stuff3. Former baseball star (4,4) — writing that's not poetry4. Comedian and former host of the Oscars (5,4) — earthenware pot5. Singer with the group Hole (8,4) — garlic bulb6. Oldtime comedian with a radio show (4,5) — opposite of risen7. Co-star of "Desperate Housewives" (4,7) — former British prime minister

Last week's challenge: This challenge came from listener Alan Hochbaum, of Duluth, Ga. Think of a famous living American whose first and last names have a total of eight letters — all different. Five of these letters are consecutive in the alphabet. The remaining three can be rearranged to spell a woman's nickname. What famous American is this?

Challenge answer: Elon Musk --> KLMNO + SUE

Winner: Don Bottomley of Beaverton, Ore.

This week's challenge: This week's challenge comes from listener Barbara Weinstein, of Lincoln, Mass. Think of a famous living person in the entertainment field whose first name is a bird. The person's last name is a quality of this bird — something its feathers have. Who's the famous person, and what's the bird?

Submit Your Answer

If you know the answer to next week's challenge, submit it here. Listeners who submit correct answers win a chance to play the on-air puzzle. Important: Include a phone number where we can reach you by Thursday, August 13, at 3 p.m. ET. [Copyright 2020 NPR]