I don’t think you should have idols, it’s like putting them on pedestals.
Richard Stallman. The guy who started the Free Software Foundation, the GNU project, and ceaselessly fights for freedom, privacy and software users’ rights.
He’s an old-fashioned nerd’s nerd from MIT, with all the social weirdness that entails, so sometimes he comes off as uncouth or even offensive. So he’s got plenty of detractors, even among people who otherwise would agree with his message and politics.
But I think he’s basically the Thomas Jefferson of computers, and as the digital age grows and software becomes more entrenched in our lives, he’ll come to be seen as a founding father and defender of our freedom.
Bart Starr, for over 50 years now.
Dennis Ritchie, he helped create Unix and he also created C, which gave us Java, C ++ and C#. Without him we’d be years behind.
While I agree that idol is too strong a word there are certain people I admire:
Celebrities:
Mr. Rogers for almost single-handedly saving PBS
Henry Rollins for his perspective, honesty and sense of humour. Some of the funniest, most poignant writing ever. For those who don’t know Rollins his language is DEFINITELY NOT SAFE FOR WORK. Also check out “The Tenacity of a Cockroach.”
George Carlin - For his points of view and his ability to punch through the hazy gauze of everyday bullshit and show you the heart of the matter while making you laugh at tragedy.
Non-celebrity
My father He is the most decent and honourable man I have ever met. From him I got my instruction in the value of integrity, honesty, justice. From him I got most of my politics and philosophies.
Were it not for what my dad instilled in me growing up I would never have been able to recover my 30’s from the maelstrom that was my 20’s.
Corny, I know, but true.
Dale Cooper belongs on a pedestal.
Albert Schweitzer, Martin Luther King, my dad.
Joe Strummer -The Clash
Ian MacKaye - Minor Threat/Fugazi
Chico Scimone & Al Puma. I raced with both of them. Chico was a bit of a freak of nature to be able to climb into his 90’s. Al was still doing repetitive climbs into his early 70’s; one time up wasn’t nearly enough for him. Got to know him at the races, great guy too. Both set age-group records. I hope to be like them when I get old(er).
Yeah, “idol” is greatly overstating it for me (I even shy away from “hero”), but for me it would be Jim Lovell. In equal parts for his participation in Apollo 8 and 13.
I’m a big fan of Baal, personally. I was into the golden calf for a while, but every time I mentioned him, people would go smashing their tablets.
Seriously, while ‘idol’ is, as many have mentioned, a bit strong, I respect and admire Jimmy Stewart. From a small town, he became an honest to God war hero, who portrayed many a honest and decent man and who was apparently one in real life as well.
Mr. Rogers is worth mentioning as well. So is Neil deGrasse Tyson (even if he did kill Pluto).
Sophia Loren, precisely because she is a flawed, down-to-earth, womanly human being who overcame early obstacles, who loved/loves much, and who seems full of life and passion. I couldn’t relate to any role model who seemed “perfect.” It’s the flaws that endear people to us.
I also have a great deal of admiration for Fred Rogers.
By mentioning Mr. T immediately after a mention of Mr. Rogers, I’m afraid you’ve forced my hand:
So does Mr. Rogers.
I don’t see anything wrong with having an idol. It’s merely a word used to describe someone that you look up to.
I’m 52, and haven’t had anything worth calling an idol in decades.
As a kid, Icould have named Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Rick Barry, Ken Dryden, Daryle Lamonica and a host of other sport stars. Later, I could have named some pliticians I admired.
But today? I still have people I admire, but I’m long past the stage of believing I really KNOW any celebrity or public figure.
My step-father. He took on two teens and my mom that had had a wreck of a life and damaged beyond belief and created an actual family. Not with money, not with forced labor and discipline, but with patience. He taught me everything I need to know to be a good parent.
Hey Pop, this one is for you. Cheers.
There’s nothing wrong with it per se, but for myself, it’s a question of feeling uncomfortable with the term. It has connotations that I’m not sanguine about. I don’t worship Jim Lovell, for example.
What a great tribute 
The Golden Calf
James Harrison (not the football player).
His blood contains something very rare that saves newborns with something called Rhesus Disease. The cure is apparently only available through his donations, and he’s been donating blood freely for over 50 years. It’s estimated he’s saved over 2 million babies so far. Apparently 1 in ten pregnant women get this byproduct of his blood as a precaution now.
Hopefully the medical experts here can elaborate. I’m not sure I understand his importance in it’s entirety, but I figure he deserves a statue or two.