Very interesting thread.
Since we are talking about world wide fame, let me add a different point of view here. Let me talk about it from the average Mexicans point of view (I know I'm not necessarily an expert, but living here for almost 10 years, I think I can give a pretty accurate view). Of all these names mentioned, how many would the average Mexican know.
Michael Jackson - definitely. Most Mexicans have heard of Micheal Jackson
Michael Jordan (the real MJ) - Yup, most Mexicans have heard of Michael Jordan
Elvis - Some of the younger generation won't know who he was, but I would still say that most have heard of him.
Farrah Fawcett - No. Some would probably recognize a picture of her, but the average Mexican would have no idea if you said her name.
Princess Di - Yeah, most would have heard of her.
Angelina Jolie - No. Many of the younger ones would, but the majority wouldn't recognize her name. (again seeing her in one of her movies would ring a bell for many, but not a lot of name recognition).
Marylin Monroe - Some of the older generation would, but hardly any of the younger generation.
Queen Elizabeth 2 - Yeah, I'm sure most have at least heard her name. If you showed a picture of her, with no name, I don't think most could say who she is, but they have heard the name.
The Pope - Even though Mexico is over 90% Catholic, I would guess that many still aren't very familiar with the new pope. They know OF the new Pope, but I don't think all that many actually know his name.
Pope John Paul 2 - Definitely. There are statues and other things honoring him all over the country.
Kate Moss - Not even close.
Oprah - I hate to tell all of her fans this, but I'd say only 1 in 1000 might have any idea of who she is.
Obama - Definitely
George Bush - Definitely
Bill Clinton - Definitely
Madonna - The majority probably do know her name
Prince Charles - Not overwhelmingly, but probably yes
Walt Disney - Like someone else said, the name Disney Yes, the man Walt, no
Ali - Not any more. Last generation yes, this generation no
Beckham - Majority yes
Shig. Miyamoto - Mario yes, the man behind him, no
Dali Lama - name recognition - yes. Photo - no
Bin Ladan - Majority - yes
Tom Cruise - No.
Annie Lennox - Not even a remote possibility. I don't even know who she is.
Philagoofy - Probably the most famous of all!!!
I know Mexico hardly represents the entire world, but this is just what you would probably find here.
Update:
After talking to my wife, let me add a couple of corrections to my list. She says that most Mexicans do know the new Popes name. They don't care for him as much as they did for John Paul, but that they definitely know his name.
Most of her friends would also know who Oprah is she says. If they have Cable, then they've heard of Oprah (she's not a fan of Oprah, btw). I don't necessarily agree with her, but I'll adjust my 1 in 1000 assessment a bit)
She also says that a lot of Mexicans (more than I think) know of Tom Cruise. I don't know if I agree, but again, I'll add her opinion as well.
She also said "Who's Annie Lennox?"
As for the rest, she pretty much agrees with what I said.
