# Best known accidentally-famous person **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 13, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547 "2017-05-13T18:15:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/21 "2017-05-13T21:03:39Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > For full name identity, there’s Harvey Milk… How is Harvey Milk an “accidentally famous” “completely unknown” person? He was a politician who was assassinated. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/22 "2017-05-13T21:06:58Z")
Jeremy Meeks (the “hot felon”) [Ted Williams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Williams_(voice-over_artist)) (the homeless guy with the “golden voice”) ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/23 "2017-05-13T21:08:23Z")
> **[Tank Man](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tank_Man)** > > Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}39°54′23.5″N 116°23′59.8″E / 39.906528°N 116.399944°E / 39.906528; 116.399944 > Tank Man (also known as the Unknown Protester or Unknown Rebel) is the nickname of an unidentified Chinese man who stood in front of a column of T... Although his name isn’t, and probably never will be, known. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/24 "2017-05-13T21:14:26Z")
Baylee Almon became famous after dying. > **[Iconic Oklahoma City photo caused twists and turns](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/04/18/oklahoma-city-photo/25957831/)** > > Lives of mom, fire captain and two amateur photographers were rocked after disaster, photo. That could have been my nephew, who was two days younger. Long legged blond kid in a diaper, one couldn’t tell the gender from the photo. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/25 "2017-05-13T21:14:48Z")
[Jessica McClure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_McClure)was very accidentally famous for awhile. I had to google her to remember her name. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/26 "2017-05-13T21:16:09Z")
Richard Jewell. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/27 "2017-05-13T21:18:01Z")
After this thread winds down it would be nice if someone did a poll to see what percent of these “famous” people Dopers have heard of (I know I recognize very few of the names). ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/28 "2017-05-13T21:19:47Z")
George Zimmerman ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/29 "2017-05-13T21:28:48Z")
Typhoid Mary’s real name was Mary Mallon. Actually, she played a part in her fame by continually breaking the law. She was released from custody more than once on the condition that she not seek work as a cook, but then she did again. She she ended her days in permanent custody of the state. I was thinking of nominating Ryan White, but maybe people don’t remember him anymore. Maybe if this thread were posted in 1997, or just in Indiana, he’d be the winner. He certainly was accidentally famous. Also, I think biblical figures don’t count. They don’t have good provenance. Otherwise, I’d nominate Moses. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/30 "2017-05-13T21:33:35Z")
[Greta Zimmer Friedman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-J_Day_in_Times_Square#/media/File:Legendary_kiss_V%E2%80%93J_day_in_Times_Square_Alfred_Eisenstaedt.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/31 "2017-05-13T21:34:20Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > Monica Lewinsky I think Mike got it in one. Lewinsky sure as hell never set out to be famous but got there in a hurry through a couple of poorly thought through decisions. And her infamy has lasted 20 years so far. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/32 "2017-05-13T21:35:10Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > Roe and Wade. And Brown, of Topeka. > > For full name identity, there’s Harvey Milk… Anne Frank. Alexander Selkirk (aka Robinson Crusoe). Lisa Gherardini (aka Mona Lisa). About twice a month I eat breakfast at a cafe in North Topeka. My route home takes me past the church where Oliver Brown was a deacon, or assistant pastor. Rev. Brown’s daughter, Linda, is still alive and a member of that church. Her dad, and other parents, just wanted a decent school and a safe walk. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/33 "2017-05-13T21:37:28Z")
Harry Truman. Not Harry S of course, but the guy who died in the Mt. St. Helen’s eruption. D. B. Cooper. ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/34 "2017-05-13T21:47:08Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > I think Mike got it in one. Lewinsky sure as hell never set out to be famous but got there in a hurry through a couple of poorly thought through decisions. And her infamy has lasted 20 years so far. There are four who have been mentioned that I’d consider for the “best known” spot: Monica, Richard Jewell, Ryan White, Steve Bartman. Of those, l agree that Lewinsky takes it easily. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/35 "2017-05-13T22:50:59Z")
I want to nominate Spencer Elden’s penis, but it was not really accidental. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/36 "2017-05-13T22:52:31Z")
Dr. Kent Brantly has said many times that if he’d known his name would generate more than 1 billion Google hits, he’d have remained anonymous. He still gets people who stare at him and then say things like, “I know who you are. You’re that Ebola guy!” > **[After surviving Ebola, Fort Worth doctor says we cannot give into fear](https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article122745094.html)** > > For Dr. Kent Brantly, the experience of nearly dying more than two years ago from the Ebola virus seems like a lifetime ago. > **[Dr. Kent Brantly Continues to Share Good News](https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/as-new-film-debuts-march-30-dr-kent-brantly-continues-to-share-good-news/)** > > Samaritan’s Purse Ebola documentary 'Facing Darkness' premiered March 30, 2017, in hundreds of theaters nationwide. An encore hit screens on April 10. The movie has been released on DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital HD. The book is very good, and has no preaching in it. I haven’t seen the movie yet. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/37 "2017-05-13T22:53:41Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > After this thread winds down it would be nice if someone did a poll to see what percent of these “famous” people Dopers have heard of (I know I recognize very few of the names). I recognized all except: Erwin Kreuz. Ted Williams Baylee Almon and I didn’t know Sam the plumber’s real name. eta: Dr. Kent Brantly, and didn’t know Spencer Elden’s real name mc ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/38 "2017-05-13T22:57:29Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > I want to nominate Spencer Elden’s penis, but it was not really accidental. It sort of is. Nobody could have predicted at the time that “Nevermind” would hit #1 in pretty much every country in the world that keeps a musical sales chart. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/39 "2017-05-13T23:10:46Z")
I just thought of another one: David Kaczynski. > **[David Kaczynski](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Kaczynski)** > > David Richard Kaczynski (born October 3, 1949) is the younger brother of Ted Kaczynski, the serial bomber dubbed the "Unabomber" by the FBI before his arrest in 1996. His memoir, Every Last Tie: The Story of the Unabomber and His Family, details his relationship with his brother and parents and the decision that David and his wife made to share their suspicion that Ted was the Unabomber with law enforcement, which led to his arrest. David's ultimate decision to implicate his brother for Kaczynsk... Susan Boyle sure didn’t expect to become famous either. All she wanted to do was sing. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547/40 "2017-05-13T23:12:45Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > [Jessica McClure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_McClure)was very accidentally famous for awhile. I had to google her to remember her name. That’s the one I was going to go for. I can still remember that being all anyone thought of even well after she was rescued. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-known-accidentally-famous-person/786547.md?page=3)