In alphabetical order, because it was too nuts to try to put them in order of importance:
Cecil Adams. For the Dope, but more importantly, for the Boards.
Fred Astaire. I worship the man.
Peter Berger. Wrote theory in an area called sociology of knowlege that is fundamental to both my intellectual and my spiritual approach to the universe.
Mel Brooks. For making two movies (The Producers and Blazing Saddles) that can always, always make me laugh.
Will Shortz Games Magazine throughout my childhood, NY Times puzzle now Dorothy Sayers I can’t seem to say anything articulate about how much I love her books Robert Altman Nashville taught me how to think about film Charles Beard Opened my eyes to the complexity of history, and critical thinking in general Stephen King If staying awake all night because you’re too scared to go to sleep counts as “entertaining.” I think it does.
[ul]
[li]John Denver. One of the greatest singer-songwriters ever.[/li][li]Jodi Benson. The voice of an angel… and a mermaid.[/li][li]James Herriot (real name: Alf Wight). My favorite author.[/li][li]Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. I’m lumping these guys together because I think of them as a single unit.[/li][li]Gene Roddenberry. Need I explain why?[/li][/ul]
JRR Tolkien both directly and indirectly, since without LOTR there would be no D&D and possibly no RPG’s at all, and only a fraction of the fantasy novels, movies, games, etc.
Terry Pratchett for many happy Discworld hours
Carl Sagan , whose Cosmos started a life-long love of science
Christopher Lee who has never been off my list of 5 favorite actors since I was nine years old, and is the actor most featured in my DVD collection
Jane Austen for books, movies, and influence on others’ books and movies.
J.R.R. Tolkien - His works have entertained me and kept me thinking and wondering about Middle-earth for years.
Cecil Adams - The Dope is the greatest single online source of information, entertainment, amusement, disputation and communication I know of. And yes, I’m writing this at work, even though I know I shouldn’t.
George R.R. Martin - A great author and a wonderful guy. I’ve loved just about everything he’s ever written. Favorites: Tuf Voyaging, Fevre Dream, Sandkings, and the Song of Ice and Fire series.
Monty Python - Still keeping me laughing after all these years.
Gene Roddenberry - For creating the original Star Trek - to which I’ve just recently begun introducing my 10-year-old son, much to his delight - and for being indirectly responsible for its many incarnations since then. “The franchise” is going through a bit of a rough patch now, but if all goes well it will rise again, better than ever (I hope).