Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

What is this awesomeness of which you tell?

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

There are many countries which have no exposure to baseball. They would have no idea who Babe Ruth is.
Similarly I'm not sure many people in China/thailand etc would know about Tiger Woods/Muhammed Ali.

Mickey Mouse is probably the most recognizable character around the world.

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

The most iconic image is the Bogart with trenchcoat and hat from final scene of Casablanca

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

Superman by far.

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

Mickey Mouse, he flew for both sides in WWII.
http://www.skylighters.org/disney/nzaf0.jpg

http://www.stormbirdsannex.com/image...ot_galland.jpg

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

There is a Q Score for performers, but it looks like it might only be for the US. I didn't see who the highest ranked persoin was...

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

I remember an article in the paper (L.A. Times?) back when the first Batman movie was opening. Of course I might be misremembering something, but going from my memory, it reported that some major advertising research firm had done a study that said Superman was the #1 most recognizable name and symbol, Michael Jordan and his number 23 and his identification with Nike was #2, and Batman and his symbol was the new #3, replacing Mickey Mouse and the mouse ears. Supposedly people in countries all over the world were polled, and even in places that didn't have movie theaters, people knew there was a Batman movie. There was also some crazy statistic that said something like 95% of Americans knew the date the movie was opening (prominently shown on posters at the time).

I don't remember any additional information. I don't think there was a list of other people/characters below Mickey Mouse. Anyway, that was like 20 years ago. I wonder how Michael Jordan would fare on that list today.

Some of the other names here surprise me. Outside of America and maybe England and a couple other countries, I don't think Bugs Bunny is that well-known. Here in Japan, people know the Road Runner, but don't know Bugs Bunny (Road Runner cartoons cross the language-barrier more easily). The image of Tweety is recognizable to many, but they don't really know much about him (her?). I've met Chinese and Korean people who have no idea who the Looney Tunes characters are at all.

And Nelson Mandela? Really? Poll the average American and they probably wouldn't recognize him (and I'm willing to bet the French, Italians, etc., too). Name? Probably. Face? No. So that would disqualify him from an "iconic" label.

As for Darth Vader, that's a tough one. I could see him being up there. I wouldn't think really little kids would know him like they might know Mickey Mouse and Superman.

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

Too many people are interpreting the question as "recognizable to me and my buddies in the dorm." In terms of the entire world, the best two answers in this thread have been Mickey Mouse and The Little Tramp.

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

When I said Nelson Mandela I was trying to get out of my American box a little bit. I haven't travelled much throughout the world, so I guess I really don't know who the most recognizable celebrity or personality would be in countries other than America. Maybe some soccer player or the Queen or maybe Obama. I really don't know. You're probably right about the average American not knowing who Nelson Mandela is, but remember that the average American for the most part couldn't care less about anything outside of America.

I still think that Tiger Woods and Muhammad Ali would be recognized by the vast majority of the world's population that isn't living in a hut.

And I'm not talking about little kids either. I'm just talking about walking up to a random person (maybe 12 years old or more) in any industrialized city or town in the world and showing them pictures of some movie characters and which one the most people would recognize.

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

http://www.stagewhispers.net/bettyboop_01.gif

http://fredvidal.files.wordpress.com...-monroe002.jpg

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

1. Mickey Mouse
2. Superman
3. Darth Vader
4. Dorothy
5. James Bond

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

The dad from Beverly Hills 90210?!?

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

Superman
Sherlock Holmes
Tarzan

Darth Vader is too recent to know if he's in for the long haul, or if he's going to drop in popularity like former top stars Raggedy Ann and Dick Tracey.

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

Mickey Mouse definitely but I'd also say Bugs Bunny

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

Definetly the most iconic actor name ever

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

Exactly! That's why I'm sticking with Mickey Mouse with Superman/Batman close behind. I read somewhere once that Mickey Mouse is the only character pretty much universally recognizable by his silhouette alone.

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

I'd say Bats, Supes, and the Mouse.

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

Wait, there's a world outside of my apartment? There are people other than my buddies? Go figure...

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

I read somewhere that Mickey Mouse was, in fact, found to be the most recognizable character around the world. Of course since I have no source and can't really remember where or when I read that, it's kind of a moot point.


Not a "movie character" but someone who should be mentioned:

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

^ Hell, if you're doing real life people, I'd imagine this guy is pretty high up there:

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

Upon further reflection, I'll change my answer to Mickey Mouse, then Superman, then Hitler.

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

I dont think many people in China would know about hitler.

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

The Pope. Maybe not one particiar one but I'm sure people would recognize seeing a Pope.

For fictional characters, I'd say Superman & Mickey Mouse. Vader is getting there but the other two have been around for 3/4 of a century.

If I was to pick one, it would be Superman. Not only recognizable for himself but he is model for many 'superhero' characters. Any other show (or company mascot) where a character is shown as a superhero (when he/she isn't normaly one), they are usually based on Superman. A cape, letter on chest, tights, etc.

Re: Most iconic or recognizable character?
 

I don't think many people in China know much about anything.