The most famous person in the world

[daughtersrus]

Sorry for another Michael Jackson thread but I was listening to Good Morning America this morning and Charlie Gibson kept saying that Michael Jackson is the most famous person in the world.

What do you think?

 

[dizluvah]

I know MJ was even more popular outside the US than he was here. He was certainly one of the most famous people in the world. Some reports are likening his death to Elvis and I guess I just never had that love for MJ or his music that many others had; so I don't get it.

 

[Patch'sD]

He was one of them. During his prime, He was famous for his talent. In these past few years he was more famous for his Idiosyncrasies than what he was capable of.

I just find it incredeble that in the span of a few days we lost three 70's Icons Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson. The world is a little less bright today.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would say that is pretty accurate. MJ was a global figure, like Princess Di.

I grew up with MJ and still like his music.

 

[ICF]

I would say he would be one of the most famous people in the world.

I'm sure his name was recognizable in most every cornor of the globle along with the POTUS, Pope and probably a few other celebrity / athelete types.

 

[Angelhalo]

I'd have to agree that he was the most famous person in the world.

 

[suejai]

Sorry for another Michael Jackson thread but I was listening to Good Morning America this morning and Charlie Gibson kept saying that Michael Jackson is the most famous person in the world.

What do you think?

I was going to say NOT, but then reconsidered. I was equating fame with importance - but the two are not the same. So, at the moment I think MJ may very well be "the most famous person in the world". It is such a fleeting title, tomorrow will be another story.

 

[luvsJack]

There used to be a story of someone going into a hut in a very poor village in Africa and there being a poster hanging in the hut. I have heard it three different ways, one it was a poster of Elvis, one said it was Michael Jackson and one said it was Farrah Fawcett in the red swim suit. I am assuming this was an Urban Legend but it was to show how far their fame reached.


Something about MJ that I don't know that we realize in the US is that he was reported to be one of the most giving celebrities. He gave to more charities than any other. Maybe this is one of the things that puts him up there with Princess Di in other countries?

 

[Aisling]

I'd have to agree that he was the most famous person in the world.

I agree. Go anywhere in the world (except the deep jungles) and people know his name. That's not to say he was the most popular person in the world, but I believe he was the most famous.

 

[TangaroaTiki]

Yes - he is the most famous person in the world

 

[GeorgeG]

I disagree. Famous? Yes, but only to a particular age group. There are a lot of us who could care less about him other than that some of his music was okay. Perhaps he was better known for his many, many quirks.

 

[Christine]

I disagree. Famous? Yes, but only to a particular age group. There are a lot of us who could care less about him other than that some of his music was okay. Perhaps he was better known for his many, many quirks.

Fame has nothing to do with whether you like the guy or his music. It really has to do with how recognizable he is to a broad spectrum of people. I would say that MJ fits that category.

I was never an Elvis fan, but I can honestly say that I believe he was a very famous person.

 

[Angelhalo]

I disagree. Famous? Yes, but only to a particular age group. There are a lot of us who could care less about him other than that some of his music was okay. Perhaps he was better known for his many, many quirks.

It doesn't matter whether you cared about him or not, the point is that you know who he is. People in the smallest hovels in the most remote corners of the Earth know who he is. THAT is what makes him the most famous person on Earth.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

Michael Jackson is the most famous person. He will go down in History as the Greatest Entertainer.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I find it annoying when newspeople throw comments like that around. If there's been some sort of extremely encompassing study that shows that, fine. But to just throw something out like that? No doubt that he was ONE OF the most famous people in the world, but THE most famous?

 

[lila]

So if MJ was the most famous person in the word, who is the new title-holder?

 

[mickaholic4077]

Angelina Jolie!!!

 

[Shelton123]

Michael Jackson, Elvis, Annie Lennox, and Marilyn Monroe are the most famous people that have ever lived, I'd say. Runners up would probably be Kate Moss, Walt Disney, and Angelina Jolie.

Living? That leaves Annie Lennox.

ETA - Now, you may criticize for Walt Disney being on runners up, but no one thinks Lennox without Annie. But, not that many know, of the top of their heads, WALT Disney. I'm thinking full name, actual person here. I know this is a Disney board, BUT from my experience when Non Disney fans (a good percentage of the population) think Disney, they would think maybe Mickey Mouse, Hannah Montana, Disney World, or the Cinderella Castle. NOT the actual person behind it all.

 

[KristaTX]

So if MJ was the most famous person in the word, who is the new title-holder?

As of right now, it could be Barack Obama.

I don't know if there is an entertainer now who is anywhere near as worldwide famous as Elvis or Michael Jackson were. Madonna might be the closest to that.

 

[saratogadreamin09]

I have to say Barack Obama is