I think most Pop culture and/or movie fans would agree that Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow has become a pop icon (instantly recognizable character; heavily imitated or parodied) very very quickly.
Has this happened often? How long did it take for Darth Vader to become iconic?
It happens all the time. Mork.
Darth Vader had become an icon by about 30 years ago today – the phrase/warning “Darth Vader Lives” appeared on pins and bumper stickers pretty quickly after the release of Star Wars.
I think Indiana Jones became an icon pretty quickly after the release of “Raiders of the Lost Ark”.
Jaws (the shark) was another.
I think just about any movie that becomes a hit creates “icons” that prevail for a while, then fade.
“Dirty Harry” with his “make my day”, for example. That got some mileage.
George C. Scott’s portrayal in “Patton” as well as 'Dr. Strangelove". References to those portrayals are made all the time.
Any John Wayne movie…
.
“I shall call him… Mini-Me”.
Sometimes it’s the moment as much as the actor.
STELLLLLLLLAAAAAAAA!
Pauly Shore?
Urkel.
Ernest. (The late Jim Varney)