| 100% | RUNYON | 6 | "Guys and Dolls" is based on his writing |
| 54% | GUYS | 4 | "___ and Dolls," musical based on Damon Runyon's short stories which was released during the Golden Age of Broadway |
| 53% | SHAW | 4 | "My Fair Lady" is based on his work |
| 52% | TYLER | 5 | Perry whose Madea character is based on his own mother |
| 51% | YOUNG | 5 | "___ Rock," sitcom starring Dwayne Johnson that is based on his life |
| 51% | OHER | 4 | NFL's Michael ___ ("The Blind Side" was based on his story) |
| 50% | SHAW | 4 | The 1999 comedy "She's All That" is based on his work |
| 49% | POE | 3 | Netflix's "The Fall of the House of Usher" is based on his stories |
| 49% | INCOME | 6 | Type of tax that is based on earnings and gains |
| 47% | THEGREEKFREAK | 13 | Nickname for 19-Across, based on his athleticism and birth country: 3 wds. |
| 47% | GOD | 3 | "___ of War," video game franchise that is based on Greek and Norse mythology |
| 46% | EDDIE | 5 | With 47-Across, chef who narrates ABC's "Fresh Off the Boat," which is based on his memoir |
| 46% | BUPKIS | 6 | TV series created by and starring Pete Davidson that is based on his life |
| 45% | SEINFELD | 8 | Sitcom co-created by and starring comedian Jerry that is based on his life |
| 44% | MAN | 3 | "First ___," 2018 biographical film starring Ryan Gosling that was based on 30a and the Apollo 11 mission |
| 44% | NORA | 4 | 2000 film directed by Pat Murphy based on James Joyce and his muse |
| 44% | TERRESTRIAL | 11 | "E.T. the Extra-___," 1982 sci-fi film directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Peter Coyote which was based on his imaginary friend |
| 44% | ARP | 3 | His "Leaves and Navels" is on display at MoMA |
| 44% | BIG | 3 | "___ Hero 6: The Series," Disney series that is based on the 2014 eponymous film and stars Maya Rudolph |
| 43% | GIJOES | 6 | Guys and Dolls |
| 43% | DAVE | 4 | TV show co-created by and starring Lil Dicky that is based on his life |
| 42% | FUDGE | 5 | Former TV series based on Judy Blume novels about a boy and his annoying younger brother |
| 42% | LOESSER | 7 | Guys and Dolls guy Frank |
| 42% | PLURALS | 7 | Guys and dolls, e.g. |
| 42% | STYLUS | 6 | Ancient tool that was used to write on 20a and on parchment |
| 42% | SHUTITDOWN | 10 | Hit single by Pitbull, featuring Akon, the music video for which is based on intelligence agents and criminal activities : 3 wds. |
| 41% | ECOWARRIORS | 11 | Based on a common feature of their names, what 17-, 23-, 36- and 51-Across are well-suited to be? |
| 41% | PAPERCARRIERS | 13 | Morning news deliverers ... or based on a hidden word in each, what 20-, 27- and 43-Across are? |
| 40% | UNIX | 4 | What macOS is based on |
| 40% | NATHANDETROIT | 13 | "Guys and Dolls" guy |