# Becoming famous by frequently repeating something mundane/useless. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 24, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764 "2015-01-24T16:32:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bizerta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/1 "2015-01-24T16:32:08Z")
I just learned that Linny died a few months ago. Linny became famous by attending the Today Show almost daily for twenty years. He appeared in the crowd in the same place. I don’t know if Linny every profited from his adventures. Here in my neck of the woods, we have a person who stands between the subway and sporting venues attempting to distribute Jesus pamphlets. He claims that God told him to do this. This human billboard dresses like a homeless person and his billboard has seen better days. I watched him once. Only about 10 people take his pamphlet and most discard it shortly thereafter. Have others become famous for repeating and repeating a mundane (useless?) gesture nationally or regionally? I can think of Rollen Stewart, who used to hold up “John 3:16” signs at televised events. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/2 "2015-01-24T16:36:50Z")
[Arthur Stace](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternity_(graffito)). ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/3 "2015-01-24T16:58:31Z")
[Ronnie ‘Woo Woo’ Wickers](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_Woo_Woo) Ronnie “Woo Woo” Wickers is a longtime Chicago Cubs fan and local celebrity in the Chicago area. He is known to Wrigley Field visitors for his idiosyncratic cheers at baseball games, generally punctuated with an exclamatory “Woo!” Here’s a couple examples, none more than 30 seconds long which is plenty: [Ronnie Woo Woo - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-fyZWn_0YA) [Ronnie Woo Woo Chicago Cubs - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BvHi5nU0yw) I hadn’t realized that there was a documentary about him. _Note_ - Website makes Woo! sounds! [http://woolife.com/](http://woolife.com/) ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/4 "2015-01-24T18:02:00Z")
[Hilda Chester](http://www.baseballreliquary.org/HildaChester.htm) was an earlier, female, Brooklyn Dodgers version of “Woo Woo”. She rose to fame after switching to implements (a frying pan and ladle, later a cowbell) to make noise after a heart attack prevented her from yelling. I’d never heard of Arthur Stace and “Eternity”. The story reminds me of an article than _Spy_ magazine ran in the late 1980s showing that someone had scrawled the word “pray” on damn near every building in Manhattan. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/5 "2015-01-24T18:36:03Z")
Whoever creates the Toynbee tiles: > **[Toynbee tiles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toynbee_tiles)** > > The Toynbee tiles, also called Toynbee plaques, are messages of unknown origin found embedded in asphalt of streets in about two dozen major cities in the United States and four South American cities. Since the 1980s, several hundred tiles have been discovered. They are generally about the size of an American license plate (roughly 30 by 15 cm or 12 by 6 in), but sometimes considerably larger. They contain some variation of the following inscription: > TOYNBEE IDEA > IN MOViE '2001 > RESURRECT DEAD > ... Cool “Disco” Dan: > **[Cool "Disco" Dan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cool_%22Disco%22_Dan)** > > Cool "Disco" Dan (December 31, 1969 – July 26, 2017) was the pseudonym of American graffiti artist Dan Hogg. His standard mark, a particularly styled rendering of his name, was ubiquitous in the Washington metropolitan area, notably along the route of the Washington Metro Red Line. > Dan was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1969. His mother and father moved the family to Annandale, Virginia, when Dan was a young boy. As a child, Dan was teased for being short; neighborhood children called him "Di... ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/6 "2015-01-24T18:52:24Z")
There have always been people who want to be noticed one way or another. The trend for photo bombing is just the latest exemplar. Back in the 70s/80s we had a spate of streakers at sporting events, some of which actually became famous. [Erica Roe](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erica_Roe) being an excellent (in many ways) example. [Note: NSFW]: [picture](http://www.interestingfacts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Erika-Roe-Topless-300x288.jpg) When I was a teenager in London, there were any number of ‘nutters’ walking about with boards telling us that “The End of the World is Nigh” ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/7 "2015-01-24T18:53:53Z")
BTW, Rollen Stewart is in jail for life since 1992. [Rollen Stewart - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollen_Stewart) ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/8 "2015-01-24T18:58:47Z")
Does Bill Saluga ([Ray J. Johnson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_J._Johnson)) count? I never could tell if he was famous for something else before all of that RJJ stuff started. “You can call me Ray. Or you can call me Jay. Or you can call me Ray Jay. Or you can call me Johson. But ya doesn’t hasta call me Mr. Johnson.” Apparently all the adults in the 70s were still brain-damaged from exposure to drugs in the 60s… ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/9 "2015-01-25T04:53:26Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > There have always been people who want to be noticed one way or another. The trend for photo bombing is just the latest exemplar. Back in the 70s/80s we had a spate of streakers at sporting events, some of which actually became famous. [Erica Roe](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erica_Roe) being an excellent (in many ways) example. [picture](http://www.interestingfacts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Erika-Roe-Topless-300x288.jpg) What I remember about Erica Roe was how _joyous_ she looked. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/10 "2015-01-25T05:07:57Z")
In Milwaukee we have “[Front Row Amy](http://www.straitpinkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/amywilliams-6.jpg)”. She’s notorious for being in the front row at every single Brewers game. When she first started showing up the speculation was wild. She’s just there to marry one of the Brewers. She’s just trying to get on TV. What a slut with her giant fake boobs. etc. Turns out she’s married with a bunch of kids and she just [really likes baseball](http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/front-row-amy-is-center-of-attention-at-brewers-games-u865fge-162805176.html) (and doesn’t mind the attention). There’s also [Front Row Andy](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2326759305/photo__2_.png), but he’s a guy and I think he stuffs his bra (he had Front Row Amy’s seat that day). ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/11 "2015-01-25T05:11:27Z")
Would Georgia O’Keeffe count? ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/12 "2015-01-25T05:13:38Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > Whoever creates the Toynbee tiles: > > [Toynbee tiles - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toynbee_tiles) There’s a documentary that purports to answer the who question. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/13 "2015-01-25T13:50:18Z")
Mark Rothko kept painting the same thing over and over. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/14 "2015-01-25T14:28:16Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > BTW, Rollen Stewart is in jail for life since 1992. > > [Rollen Stewart - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollen_Stewart) Indeed he is > **[Is the guy who held up those “John 3:16” signs at sports events in jail for...](https://www.straightdope.com/21342023/is-the-guy-who-held-up-those-john-3-16-signs-at-sports-events-in-jail-for-life)** ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/15 "2015-01-25T17:12:26Z")
Here in Toronto we had [Zanta](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Zancai) who did 2000 to 3000 pushups a day at various locations around the city while virtually naked. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/16 "2015-01-25T17:16:28Z")
> [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](#): > > What I remember about Erica Roe was how _joyous_ she looked. As I said - excellent in many ways:) ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/17 "2015-01-25T17:17:16Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Mark Rothko kept painting the same thing over and over. But, being sane, he never expected different results. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/18 "2015-01-25T17:22:41Z")
[Moondog](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moondog) became famous for his viking outfit, which he wore as a blind street musician in the streets of NYC starting in 1942. It turned out his music was actually quite good, but it was the outfit that made him famous. Same for [Wild Man Fischer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Man_Fischer). He would go up to people and offer to sing them a song for a dime; Frank Zappa noticed and produced his album. For fans, there was [Karl Ehrhardt](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Ehrhardt). Few knew his name, but he was known to Mets fans as “The Sign Man,” holding up signs to reflect the action on the field. He brought about 60 of his immense portfolio to the game, and any game footage from 1964-1981 will invariably include a shot of him [holding up a sign](http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2008/0209/mlb_a_ehrhardt_300.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/19 "2015-01-26T04:27:17Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > Whoever creates the Toynbee tiles: > > [Toynbee tiles - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toynbee_tiles) > [@White SIFL](#): > > There’s a documentary that purports to answer the who question. _Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of The Toynbee Tiles_. It’s worth watching if you’re interested in the story and the mystery of the tiles. > **[Resurrect Dead - Trailer](http://www.resurrectdead.com)** > > Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles. A documentary movie about a mysterious phenomenon in the streets. > **[Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles (2011) ⭐ 7.2 | Documentary](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1787791/)** > > 1h 26m | Not Rated ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764/20 "2015-01-26T16:16:54Z")
Not sure if this is the same thing, but when I lived in Albuquerque there was a local “celebrity nudist.” He was very liberal and would campaign and preach regarding all issues – gun control, nuclear weapons, homelessness, you name it. But always in the nude. Or as nude as he could get away with at any given moment. And I see he’s still at it. I googled “Albuquerque” and “nudist,” and he pops up, so to speak. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becoming-famous-by-frequently-repeating-something-mundane-useless/710764.md?page=2)