# Poll: Who is the most famous person from your country? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 25, 2004, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668 "2004-11-25T19:07:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/81 "2004-11-27T20:58:20Z")
Well…Belgium is a small country and was only created very recently, during the 19th century. I can think only to Leopold II (for his infamous role in Africa) and Leopold III (due to WWII). I assume there must be a number of famous people born in what is now Belgium before the country existed, but I can’t think about one out of my head. Well…Just read the last post and looked at the link : Rubens, Magritte, Bruegel, Bosch. Indeed…And Audrey Hepburn??? ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/82 "2004-11-27T21:11:07Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Well…Belgium is a small country and was only created very recently, during the 19th century. I can think only to Leopold II (for his infamous role in Africa) and Leopold III (due to WWII). I assume there must be a number of famous people born in what is now Belgium before the country existed, but I can’t think about one out of my head. Adolphe Sax? ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/83 "2004-11-28T05:56:35Z")
I’d think Yao Ming would be in the running for China. For the US, what about Neil Armstrong? Walking on the moon was a pretty big deal for the human race as a whole. But if we’re talking about a recognizable face, I’d probably go with Elvis. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/84 "2004-11-28T07:00:21Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Well…Belgium is a small country and was only created very recently, during the 19th century. I can think only to Leopold II (for his infamous role in Africa) and Leopold III (due to WWII). I assume there must be a number of famous people born in what is now Belgium before the country existed, but I can’t think about one out of my head. What about the Muscles from Brussels: Jean-Claude Van Damme. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/85 "2004-11-28T07:21:51Z")
> [@violacrane](#): > > There’s even a case for Napoleon being Italian rather than Corsican or French… But I didn’t come here to make trouble just to ask > “won’t somebody please speak for BELGIUM.” I learned about James Ensor, Belgium’s famous painter, from a They Might Be Giants song. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/86 "2004-11-28T17:31:55Z")
> [@Ellis Dee](#): > > I’d think Yao Ming would be in the running for China. > > For the US, what about Neil Armstrong? Walking on the moon was a pretty big deal for the human race as a whole. But if we’re talking about a recognizable face, I’d probably go with Elvis. I think Confucius is the most famous person who ever lived in China. He’s still revered throughout much of Asia, and even Westerners invariably know he was a great philosopher, even if they don’t know exactly what he taught. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/87 "2004-11-29T02:25:01Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > I think Confucius is the most famous person who ever lived in China. He’s still revered throughout much of Asia, and even Westerners invariably know he was a great philosopher, even if they don’t know exactly what he taught. Ah, of course, silly me. Confuscious is head and shoulders above Yao. (hehheh.) That thought came to me while I was reading page 1, but slipped my mind when it came time to post. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/88 "2004-11-29T02:26:29Z")
> [@Ellis Dee](#): > > Ah, of course, silly me. Confuscious is head and shoulders above Yao. (hehheh.) That thought came to me while I was reading page 1, but slipped my mind when it came time to post. Wait a minute, no it didn’t. I originally thought of Lao Tzu (sp?), and then promptly forgot. Though I think Confuscious is still the most famous. ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/89 "2004-11-29T03:01:14Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Yep. > > And last time i checked, Tasmania was part of Australia. > > Not sure how long Flynn spent in Australia during his life, though. I was almost right. Tasmania joined Australia in 1901 and Errol Flynn was born in 1909. Oops! ---
**Author:** ![Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/90 "2004-11-29T03:37:06Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Err…So Sicilians aren’t Italians, for instance? Not according to most Sicilians I’ve met. Calling them Italians seems to generate the same reaction as calling a Scotsman English. But I agree with your main point. France gets the credit (blame?) for Buonaparte. His only claims to fame were as a French general, politician and emperor. Marshall Bernadotte is a tougher call, but I’d put him on the French list, too. **irishgirl’s** question is interesting, too. Coming up with famous women can be tougher for some countries. England? One of the Elizabeths, I suppose. France would have to be either Jeanne D’Arc, Marie Sklodowska Curie (assuming you can out-wrestle the Poles for credit there), or Bardot. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/91 "2004-11-29T06:33:00Z")
Most famous woman from Canada? _sigh_ Céline. ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/92 "2004-11-29T06:51:15Z")
> [@Random](#): > > Coming up with famous women can be tougher for some countries. England? One of the Elizabeths, I suppose. If elected royalty is permitted, **Margaret Thatcher** would give them a run for their money. **Irishgirl** , glad to see you nominating Arthur Wellesley (born Wesley). Typically, the lot of the Anglo-Irish is to be considered English in Ireland and Irish in England. ---
**Author:** ![RealTronic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9dc877/32.png) [@RealTronic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealTronic)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/93 "2004-11-29T06:52:57Z")
Unless I missed a post or two, I believe we haven’t had any mention of Sweden yet. The most famous Swede abroad would be **Greta Garbo** perhaps? Or maybe **Bjorn Borg** , **Olof Palme** or **Ingmar Bergman** I dunno, since I’m a Swede myself. **ABBA** ranks quite high too, if we are allowed to include groups (I bet no one outside Sweden knows the individual members’ names) ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/94 "2004-11-29T06:56:12Z")
> [@RealTronic](#): > > Unless I missed a post or two, I believe we haven’t had any mention of Sweden yet. > > The most famous Swede abroad would be **Greta Garbo** perhaps? Or maybe **Bjorn Borg** , **Olof Palme** or **Ingmar Bergman** > > I dunno, since I’m a Swede myself. **ABBA** ranks quite high too, if we are allowed to include groups (I bet no one outside Sweden knows the individual members’ names) Bjorn Ulvaeus Benny Andersson Agnetha (formerly either Ulvaeus or Andersson, or maybe both) Anna-Frida (ditto) - but she’s Norwegian, anyway Howzat?! ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/95 "2004-11-29T09:22:19Z")
> [@irishgirl](#): > > The Duke of Welllington for the military historians. Plus he was a politician, Prime Minister, and international statesman. And that’s apart from being the best general of his era and being the first general to master logistics. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/96 "2004-11-29T10:00:00Z")
> [@roger thornhill](#): > > Bjorn Ulvaeus > Benny Andersson > Agnetha (formerly either Ulvaeus or Andersson, or maybe both) > Anna-Frida (ditto) - but she’s Norwegian, anyway Close. Agnetha Faltskog (I don’t think she ever changed her name to her husband’s, but I could be wrong; she certainly never used it as her artist name anyway) and Annifrid, not Anna-Frida, Lyngstad. ---
**Author:** ![YoudNeverGuess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a587f6/32.png) [@YoudNeverGuess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YoudNeverGuess)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/97 "2004-11-29T10:32:23Z")
> [@irishgirl](#): > > I’m having problems thinking pf famous irish women, I think that finding an internationally famous woman for each country would be more of a challenge. Sinéad O’Connor, Dolores Keane (is it?) from the Cranberries, The Corrs (maybe), Mary Robinson (for politics/ UN affairs afficionados maybe) Plenty of Irish B Celebs famous in UK and parts of Europe but probably and thankfully not in the rest of the world like Ronan Keating, Westlife, that girl in Girl’s Aloud, Siobhán from Bananarama and who could forget the Reynold’s Girls (I’d rather jack than fleetwood mac 😃 ) For me most famous Irish person is probably James Joyce closely follwed by Oscar Wilde You forgot WB Yeats too for the literary types ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/98 "2004-11-29T10:50:43Z")
Most famous relatively modern Norwegian would probably be Thor Heyerdahl. And why not? He sums up a lot of the things we love about Norwegians. Creative… handsome… brave… and completely off his nut 😛 ---
**Author:** ![marky33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@marky33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marky33)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/99 "2004-11-29T11:22:31Z")
> [@Ellis Dee](#): > > Confuscious is head and shoulders above Yao. I reckon Mao is head and shoulders above Yao, also – especially outside the US. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2004, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668/100 "2004-11-29T11:48:59Z")
**Jackie Chan** would probably count as being the most famous from China/Hong Kong. **Catherine Zeta-Jones** is from Swansea, Wales. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-who-is-the-most-famous-person-from-your-country/276668.md?page=6)