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Most Famous Person Alive

Edgy MD Jun 08 2016 03:11 AM

For a while that was title conferred on Muhammad Ali. For a long while. And yeah, he probably conferred it on himself. It came up a day or two ago in a Deadspin article, and I had forgotten it, for what that's worth. And it was probably not altogether inaccurate. But come on, the most famous persons in the world are almost always going to be the pope and the US president. And who knows how far behind the Bieb is? Probably not far, right? So restricting it to athletes, active and retired, who do you got? I'm guessing: [list=1:3r5ij208][*:3r5ij208]Michael Jordan[/*:m:3r5ij208] [*:3r5ij208]Tiger Woods[/*:m:3r5ij208] [*:3r5ij208]Cristiano Ronaldo[/*:m:3r5ij208] [*:3r5ij208]Lionel Messi[/*:m:3r5ij208] [*:3r5ij208]LeBron James[/*:m:3r5ij208] [*:3r5ij208]David Beckham[/*:m:3r5ij208] [*:3r5ij208]Usain Bolt[/*:m:3r5ij208] [*:3r5ij208]Roger Federer[/*:m:3r5ij208] [*:3r5ij208]Pelé[/*:m:3r5ij208] [*:3r5ij208]Some cricket or rugby guy[/*:m:3r5ij208][/list:o:3r5ij208]

d'Kong76 Jun 08 2016 03:21 AM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

I don't know who some of them are. I know it's cool for some to do the conferrin' thing, but it's pretty hard to deny he was by far the most recognizable figure in at least two generations.

Edgy MD Jun 08 2016 10:24 AM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Half of them are footballers. The thing about soccer and tennis and (at least at one point) boxing is that they are popular and played on every contingent and the nature of the sports are constantly international, taking the great players across most of the world and spreading their fame further. There's got to be some obvious guy who didn't make that list. The most transcendent fame of any living baseball player probably belongs to Derek Jeter*, but he could probably walk unknown through 90% of the world. As a baseball fan, that might make me a little sad, but hey, it's Jeter, so not really. I guess behind him, it's Ichiro and Yu Darvish.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 08 2016 11:15 AM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

I've heard of all of them except Lionel Messi. I have no idea who he is. And I can never remember if Roger Federer plays golf or tennis. (I'm thinking tennis?) Mike Tyson may deserve a spot on that list.

duan Jun 08 2016 12:55 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

I think you're under rating Pelé. I'd put him up there with Jordan & Woods (and probably ahead of both). David Beckham while being nowhere near a great footballer did have a transcendent level of fame. I couldn't tell you what LeBron James looks like. In terms of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, by virtue of being Indian and amazing is probably the one who'd get in. Rugby's a minority sport in every county it's played except for New Zealand and South Africa so there's nobody there that comes close. Roy Jones Jr might have a shout, but PPV has meant that people need to care about something to encounter it way more then they used to.

MFS62 Jun 08 2016 01:31 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

duan wrote: I think you're under rating Pelé. I'd put him up there with Jordan & Woods (and probably ahead of both). Since they're restricting the list to athletes, I agree with this. Later

d'Kong76 Jun 08 2016 01:33 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

duan wrote: I couldn't tell you what LeBron James looks like. I find that hard to believe, but you're lucky. I agree with Pelé, but even he wasn't Ali-big.

Frayed Knot Jun 08 2016 01:39 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Do under-40's know/recognize Pele? Obviously in Brazil they do but, it seems to me, he'd be way behind Messi/Ronaldo on the recognition scale among the younger crowd. Formula 1 drivers have a surprising level of fame & fortune outside the U.S., but I don't know if there's currently one shining above all others.

Mets Guy in Michigan Jun 08 2016 01:47 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Caitlyn Jenner, maybe? Yao Ming?

Ceetar Jun 08 2016 01:58 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

I mean, there's a difference between famous across generations and being actively famous. I don't think I can do this from within my personal bubble. Too many biases and disconnects with the world at large. I'd probably put Tiger above Jordan, due to the scandal stuff. I don't think Jordan crossed into pop culture/common news quite as hard.

d'Kong76 Jun 08 2016 02:05 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Bruce Jenner... I'm dying over here. (biased and disconnectedly so)

d'Kong76 Jun 08 2016 02:06 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Is Derek Jeter intentionally left off the list?

Mets Guy in Michigan Jun 08 2016 02:11 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

d'Kong76 wrote: Is Derek Jeter intentionally left off the list? Who?

SteveJRogers Jun 08 2016 02:14 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

d'Kong76 wrote: Is Derek Jeter intentionally left off the list? Who do you think was the last baseball guy to legitimately be on this list, and not because MFY mass media overload telling you? Rose? Ripken? Were ARod, Griffey Jr or Bonds ever truly on those levels despite what marketing firms and media outlets wanted you to believe?

SteveJRogers Jun 08 2016 02:17 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

I know this forum has an anti-NFL slant, but Tom Brady should be on this list as well. Trying to think of other active NFLers that have a shot of this conversation is hard though.

d'Kong76 Jun 08 2016 02:27 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

SteveJRogers wrote: Who do you think was the last baseball guy to legitimately be on this list, and not because MFY mass media overload telling you? I'd go with Jeter.

Chad Ochoseis Jun 08 2016 02:29 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

The guys on this list aren't necessarily all guys. Ronda Rousey's pretty famous, as are Billie Jean King and Maria Sharapova.

d'Kong76 Jun 08 2016 02:31 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

SteveJRogers wrote: I know this forum has an anti-NFL slant, but Tom Brady should be on this list as well. There are football fans here; pointing out that the league has some felons is fun. I wouldn't put any NFLr's on the list, they should keep their helmets on anyways.

d'Kong76 Jun 08 2016 02:32 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Billie Jean's a pretty good one.

Edgy MD Jun 08 2016 02:38 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

SteveJRogers wrote: d'Kong76 wrote: Is Derek Jeter intentionally left off the list? Who do you think was the last baseball guy to legitimately be on this list, and not because MFY mass media overload telling you? Rose? Ripken? Were ARod, Griffey Jr or Bonds ever truly on those levels despite what marketing firms and media outlets wanted you to believe? Mantle? DiMaggio? Ruth? Transcendent, mythological international fame is rare for a baseballer. The game is little more than a rumor in Europe, Africa, and South and Central Asia. Even in Latin America, the game is rarely played below the tropics. So yeah, I left Jeter off on merit, rather than my own sensibility. He may get some magazine play in Europe as a swinging rich guy who got big playing a sport you don't care about, a la Beckham in the US, but I bet he couldn't get arrested in most of the world. I'm delighted to think Pelé's name still opens doors with folks under 45. And yeah, Tendulkar is probably the cricketer I was thinking of. I was surprised I didn't have any women on the list. I guess the Williams sisters are tops, though.

Edgy MD Jun 08 2016 02:44 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Top of my head [list=1:2yy4nlbz][*:2yy4nlbz]Venus Williams[/*:m:2yy4nlbz] [*:2yy4nlbz]Serena Willams[/*:m:2yy4nlbz] [*:2yy4nlbz]Maria Sharapova[/*:m:2yy4nlbz] [*:2yy4nlbz]Danica Patrick[/*:m:2yy4nlbz] [*:2yy4nlbz]Ronda Rousy[/*:m:2yy4nlbz] [*:2yy4nlbz]Martina Navratolova[/*:m:2yy4nlbz] [*:2yy4nlbz]Annika Sörenstam[/*:m:2yy4nlbz] [*:2yy4nlbz]Hope Solo[/*:m:2yy4nlbz] [*:2yy4nlbz]Anna Kornikova[/*:m:2yy4nlbz] [*:2yy4nlbz]Steffi Graff[/*:m:2yy4nlbz][/list:o:2yy4nlbz]

SteveJRogers Jun 08 2016 02:52 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

d'Kong76 wrote: SteveJRogers wrote: Who do you think was the last baseball guy to legitimately be on this list, and not because MFY mass media overload telling you? I'd go with Jeter. Nah, he is the quintessential example of trying too hard to create what we are talking about. He'd make a Top 50, and Top 5 in MLB, but I doubt he'd ever crack a Top 20 at his peak.

Ceetar Jun 08 2016 02:58 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

SteveJRogers wrote: SteveJRogers wrote: Who do you think was the last baseball guy to legitimately be on this list, and not because MFY mass media overload telling you? I'd go with Jeter. Nah, he is the quintessential example of trying too hard to create what we are talking about. He'd make a Top 50, and Top 5 in MLB, but I doubt he'd ever crack a Top 20 at his peak. A-Rod is way ahead of him. Publicly dates models, his PED use is public and out in the news. Played in other cities. Hell, just playing with Ichiro probably makes him more famous in ..looks. hmm, missed him by one year. Wouldn't have guessed that. (In Seattle that is, at the height of Ichiro)

Vic Sage Jun 08 2016 03:03 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

[*]Michael Jordan [*]Tiger Woods [*]Cristiano Ronaldo [*]Lionel Messi [*]LeBron James [*]David Beckham [*]Usain Bolt [*]Roger Federer [*]Pelé [*]Some cricket or rugby guy I've never heard of Messi and Ronaldo so i assume they're soccer players (a sport about which i could not care less), and, though I've heard of Beckham, it's because there was a movie (BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM) and he's married to a spice girl... but even i have heard of Pele, and that's the level of fame one needs to be on such a list. Such stars have to transcend their sports and become cultural icons, like Ali was. I know the name Usain Bolt, but i though he was a superhero; I wouldn't know a cricket or rugby guy if they were pissing on my foot; There's probably some athlete in China whose known by a billion people but we have no idea who they are. Maybe Yao Ming, because he crossed over here (though with much less success than others on this list) As for American football, yeah Brady, maybe because of the German supermodel wife and the controversies, as well as the success, but Broadway Joe crossed over into popular culture in a way only a few other football players have (at least ones that are still alive)

Benjamin Grimm Jun 08 2016 03:32 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

The only reason I know who Christiano Ronaldo is is because the smelliest man I've ever encountered was wearing one of his jerseys.

Edgy MD Jun 08 2016 05:19 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Edgy MD wrote: Top of my head [list=1][*]Venus Williams[/*:m] [*]Serena Willams[/*:m] [*]Maria Sharapova[/*:m] [*]Danica Patrick[/*:m] [*]Ronda Rousy[/*:m] [*]Martina Navratolova[/*:m] [*]Annika Sörenstam[/*:m] [*]Hope Solo[/*:m] [*]Anna Kornikova[/*:m] [*]Steffi Graff[/*:m][/list:o] And as I post that, Maria Sharapova gets a two-year suspension from professional tennis.

Chad Ochoseis Jun 08 2016 06:24 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Hey, that'll make her even more famous!

d'Kong76 Jun 08 2016 06:39 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Great form and worked a racket like no one of her tennis generation... [fimg=500:24f6siw5]http://media1.santabanta.com/full1/Global%20Celebrities(F)/Anna%20Kournikova/anna-kournikova-93a.jpg[/fimg:24f6siw5]

Frayed Knot Jun 08 2016 06:56 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Benjamin Grimm wrote: The only reason I know who Christiano Ronaldo is is because the smelliest man I've ever encountered was wearing one of his jerseys. Which is a bit ironic in that he himself rarely wears a Christiano Ronaldo jersey. [fimg=400]http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.2665836.1465401177!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_1200/aptopix-italy-soccer-champions-league-final.jpg[/fimg] It's a penalty to remove your jersey during goal celebrations but Christiano manages to do it quite often anyway.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 08 2016 08:08 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

He probably doesn't wear his jerseys because they smell so awful!

d'Kong76 Jun 08 2016 08:11 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Looks like a 'roided-up centaur.

Frayed Knot Jun 08 2016 08:39 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

d'Kong76 wrote: Looks like a 'roided-up centaur. It has been suggested by some sports writers that, between their somewhat similar Latin looks (Ronoldo is Portuguese), the athletic accomplishments and physiques, and the general diva-like behaviors common to both, it may not be a coincidence that Christiano Ronoldo and Alex Rodriguez have never been seen together at the same time.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 08 2016 09:12 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

I didn't know Ronaldo was Portugese. The horribly smelly guy I saw wearing the jersey was in Portugal! Maybe it was Ronaldo himself!

Ashie62 Jun 08 2016 10:12 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Roberto Clemente

Edgy MD Jun 08 2016 10:44 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Well, he ain't alive. But as far as being among the most transcendently famous baseball players in his time, yeah, I'd put him in the top ten In the general category, my quick math says: [list=1:ksc54sfp][*:ksc54sfp]Pope Francis[/*:m:ksc54sfp] [*:ksc54sfp]President Obama[/*:m:ksc54sfp] [*:ksc54sfp]The Dalai Lama[/*:m:ksc54sfp] [*:ksc54sfp]Vladimir Putin[/*:m:ksc54sfp] [*:ksc54sfp]President Bush[/*:m:ksc54sfp] [*:ksc54sfp]Queen Elizabeth[/*:m:ksc54sfp] [*:ksc54sfp]Kanye West[/*:m:ksc54sfp] [*:ksc54sfp]President Clinton[/*:m:ksc54sfp] [*:ksc54sfp]Michael Jordan[/*:m:ksc54sfp] [*:ksc54sfp]Oprah Winfrey[/*:m:ksc54sfp][/list:o:ksc54sfp] Honorable mention to Bono and Madonna and George Clooney, and a dishonorable one to Donald Trump. Quick research says that's Duan's right. Sachin Tendulkar is bigger than Pop Rocks, even if he doesn't poll well in the Vic Sage household. He may be top five among athletes, and a candidate to make the general list.

d'Kong76 Jun 08 2016 11:31 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

More news from my bubble, I have no idea who are what K West is all about other than occasionally I read on fb that he's a complete dick. Didn't know The Dalai Lama was still alive, but this is the wrong thread. I thought about Oprah this afternoon, low point of my year thus far. Putin is an interesting pick, I can't even think of who runs China nowadays. I did read the other day that the US military is getting getting worried about both countries and their desire to flex some muscle in the coming years. Yay. Bono, Madonna, Clooey? I hope you were being funny.

Edgy MD Jun 08 2016 11:41 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

I'm certainly not arguing who the bestest are, just sharing my impressions of global human brands. I like the name "Clooey." I'm gonna call him that from now on.

d'Kong76 Jun 09 2016 02:14 AM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

I was just being an assclown, and a poorly edited one ...

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 09 2016 03:18 AM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

avi

Mets Guy in Michigan Jun 09 2016 12:18 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Edgy MD wrote: Well, he ain't alive. But as far as being among the most transcendently famous baseball players in his time, yeah, I'd put him in the top ten In the general category, my quick math says: [list=1][*]Pope Francis[/*:m] [*]President Obama[/*:m] [*]The Dalai Lama[/*:m] [*]Vladimir Putin[/*:m] [*]President Bush[/*:m] [*]Queen Elizabeth[/*:m] [*]Kanye West[/*:m] [*]President Clinton[/*:m] [*]Michael Jordan[/*:m] [*]Oprah Winfrey[/*:m][/list:o] Honorable mention to Bono and Madonna and George Clooney, and a dishonorable one to Donald Trump. Quick research says that's Duan's right. Sachin Tendulkar is bigger than Pop Rocks, even if he doesn't poll well in the Vic Sage household. He may be top five among athletes, and a candidate to make the general list. Paul McCartney and possibly Ringo Starr take exception of the inclusion of Bono and Madonna over the remaining members of the Fab Four for at least honorable mentions!

Edgy MD Jun 09 2016 12:31 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

It's business. It ain't personal.

Frayed Knot Jun 09 2016 12:46 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

O.J. Simpson ?

d'Kong76 Jun 09 2016 02:52 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Not familiar with her at all but hear Beyonce's name an awful lot.

Nymr83 Jun 10 2016 03:09 AM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Edgy MD wrote: Well, he ain't alive. But as far as being among the most transcendently famous baseball players in his time, yeah, I'd put him in the top ten In the general category, my quick math says: [list=1][*]Pope Francis[/*:m] [*]President Obama[/*:m] [*]The Dalai Lama[/*:m] [*]Vladimir Putin[/*:m] [*]President Bush[/*:m] [*]Queen Elizabeth[/*:m] [*]Kanye West[/*:m] [*]President Clinton[/*:m] [*]Michael Jordan[/*:m] [*]Oprah Winfrey[/*:m][/list:o] Honorable mention to Bono and Madonna and George Clooney, and a dishonorable one to Donald Trump. Quick research says that's Duan's right. Sachin Tendulkar is bigger than Pop Rocks, even if he doesn't poll well in the Vic Sage household. He may be top five among athletes, and a candidate to make the general list. I think its a pretty reasonable list, besides West. I'd probably say Madonna. maybe Tiger Woods.

Edgy MD Jun 10 2016 03:18 AM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

I was curious if I undersold Queen Elizabeth. There's got to be 20 countries that feature her on the currency.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 10 2016 07:47 AM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Beyonce over Kanye, most likely. And Cristiano Ronaldo-- and at least one or two more footballers-- over someone like Putin, frankly. Perhaps a Bollywood star, or Chinese or two?

Benjamin Grimm Jun 10 2016 01:04 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

I still think Mike Tyson belongs on the list.

Edgy MD Jun 12 2016 11:18 AM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

I saw in one of those stupid list articles that Mike Tyson was among the sports celebrities that has endorsed Donald Trump's candidacy. The guy is still a Muslim, right?

Benjamin Grimm Jun 12 2016 11:22 AM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

I didn't know he was a Muslim. But he is a rapist, so I guess that means... I have no idea what that means. Nothing makes sense anymore.

Ashie62 Jun 13 2016 11:57 PM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I didn't know he was a Muslim. But he is a rapist, so I guess that means... I have no idea what that means. Nothing makes sense anymore. This

Edgy MD Aug 15 2016 01:42 AM Re: Most Famous Person Alive

Bump Bolt up about four notches on the list.