How is Harvey Milk an “accidentally famous” “completely unknown” person? He was a politician who was assassinated.
Jeremy Meeks (the “hot felon”)
Ted Williams (the homeless guy with the “golden voice”)
Although his name isn’t, and probably never will be, known.
Baylee Almon became famous after dying.
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.
Jessica McClurewas very accidentally famous for awhile. I had to google her to remember her name.
Richard Jewell.
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).
George Zimmerman
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.
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.
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.
Harry Truman. Not Harry S of course, but the guy who died in the Mt. St. Helen’s eruption.
D. B. Cooper.
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.
I want to nominate Spencer Elden’s penis, but it was not really accidental.
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!”
The book is very good, and has no preaching in it. I haven’t seen the movie yet.
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
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.
I just thought of another one: David Kaczynski.
Susan Boyle sure didn’t expect to become famous either. All she wanted to do was sing. 
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.