# Famous people we don't know the identities of **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 8, 2013, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386 "2013-03-08T15:18:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/41 "2013-03-08T19:21:29Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > You might not know it, and he had (still has possibly, hence me not stating it) good reason for keeping his real name secret, but it is fairly widely-known now. But until a few years ago I’d say that was a good one. Nope, hadn’t heard. I knew there were some good educated guesses, but I only knows what they puts on the wickypedias, so to speak. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/42 "2013-03-08T19:21:36Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > [Not necessarily. I have a tale I’ll never tell (involving technological manipulation of the phone company’s equipment) because I found out later that I’d pissed off the US Secret Service. They _never_ forget or forgive. Chicken. Pull a neighborhood shen that brings down a full multi-station tac squad response, and see how long it takes you to own up… oh, look, it’s Halley’s Comet! ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/43 "2013-03-08T19:30:35Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > The Tylenol killer Current evidence points to The Unabomber. But you’re right, we don’t “know.” ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/44 "2013-03-08T19:33:40Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > Not quite. “J” is one of the sources (identified by a process called “textual criticism”) of much of the Old Testament. There are others. “J” was probably an earlier version of what became the OT, before other bits and pieces were thrown in. > > [sub]Why, yes, I did take a few courses on the subject at a Catholic university. How did you guess?[/sub] I went to a Jesuit high school, and I knew that , too. I was just struggling to come up with nominees, and “J” came to mind. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/45 "2013-03-08T19:38:57Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Current evidence points to The Unabomber. But you’re right, we don’t “know.” Other than getting DNA samples from him quite some time ago, what evidence are you referring to? I would assume that no more than a matter of weeks would be needed to match or clear DNA evidence alone. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/46 "2013-03-08T19:43:11Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > You might not know it, and he had (still has possibly, hence me not stating it) good reason for keeping his real name secret, but it is fairly widely-known now. But until a few years ago I’d say that was a good one. Well, what’s his name and what are the good reasons? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/47 "2013-03-08T19:43:55Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Current evidence points to The Unabomber. But you’re right, we don’t “know.” No shit? I never knew that. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/48 "2013-03-08T19:49:51Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > The Poe Toaster, who left roses and cognac on his grave every year. That’s a sad one–it’s a shame he or she didn’t find someone to carry on the tradition. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/49 "2013-03-08T20:00:12Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > Something of a specialty for me. > > Without giving away too much that’s not mine to give, the working theory is that the pranksters became too famous to fess up - they were likely electronic journalism or communications students, obviously had their share of brass balls and self-promotion, and thus may be seen by thousands or millions every week… Or, maybe they’re just \*embarrassed \*about what they did when they were young and stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/50 "2013-03-08T20:02:54Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > Other than getting DNA samples from him quite some time ago, what evidence are you referring to? I would assume that no more than a matter of weeks would be needed to match or clear DNA evidence alone. He refused to give a sample and the FBI only asked, not demanded. It’s not exactly evidence, but I’m guessing the FBI knows a lot more about it than they’ve publicly announced. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/51 "2013-03-08T20:23:56Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > He refused to give a sample and the FBI only asked, not demanded. It’s not exactly evidence, but I’m guessing the FBI knows a lot more about it than they’ve publicly announced. It sounds like it’s prettttty circumstantial. He occasionally stayed at his parent’s house in the Chicago area at the time of the Tylenol killings, which just so happened to coincide with his first bombings. I suppose since it turns out there was an active terrorist in the area at the time, he’s worth some scrutiny, but I don’t think he’s ever denied any of his bombings and at this point with all his concurrent life without parole sentences he doesn’t really have any motivation to deny the Tylenol killings if he were the guy. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/52 "2013-03-08T20:34:11Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Or, maybe they’re just \*embarrassed \*about what they did when they were young and stupid. I don’t think so. It was a brilliantly clever hack of the system and while they were a bit dopey on the screen, it was quite a feat and it’s held in high respect by the greater hacking world. If they were not in a position where it would compromise their lives and careers, I think they’d come forward. I believe the statute of limitations is well past. ---
**Author:** ![Renifer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Renifer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renifer)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/53 "2013-03-08T23:06:45Z")
The Man in the Iron Mask Spring-Heeled Jack (if he existed) The Mad Gasser (if he existed) Though not famous, Terry Deary wrote about The Polish Policeman from WW2: "The German Commandant ordered us to search the buildings from cellar to attic. The Commandant himself came along with me. He knew that if anyone could find the Jews it was me. We climbed through the house and I opened every secret panel and trapdoor that I knew about. Every one was empty. At last we reached the top of the house. A ladder led down from a gap in the ceiling. So I took a lantern and began climbing the long ladder. The silence was so great I couldn’t believe anyone could be up there in the space below the rafters. But I climbed on. At last I reached the entrance of the loft. If anyone was waiting they could have smashed my head in there and then. I looked over the lip of the hole and shone the lantern in. The light picked out the white faces and wide, dark eyes of 20 women and terrified children. The Commandant called up to me. "‘Can you see anyone?’ [The Polish Policeman] turned to the German Commander and called ‘There’s no one there!’ Then he climbed back down the ladder and reported that the house was empty. We don’t know what happened to that policeman but one of the Jewish children survived the war and remembered his curious action that morning." From Terry Deary’s _Horrible Histories: The Woeful Second World War_, 1999. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/54 "2013-03-08T23:08:31Z")
Y’all need to watch more PBS. Most of these are pretty well solved. But who killed Biggie and 2upac? ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/55 "2013-03-08T23:25:37Z")
Isn’t there some question about the ‘real’ identity of musician Leon Redbone? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/56 "2013-03-08T23:34:28Z")
Whoever fired the Shot Heard 'Round the World. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/57 "2013-03-09T00:05:29Z")
Carly Simon’s vain ex. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/58 "2013-03-09T00:34:51Z")
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost who caught the last train for the coast? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/59 "2013-03-09T00:43:10Z")
B. Traven. There’s evidence that he was a German named Ret Marut. But that doesn’t really answer the question because then you have to ask who Ret Marut really was. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386/60 "2013-03-09T00:49:26Z")
The guy that \*really \*wrote the Shakespeare plays. d+r [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-we-dont-know-the-identities-of/652386.md?page=4)