Most well-known person alive

[Barnabas]

There are people who are really big outside the USA, but never made it in the USA

And some People who have had great success in the USA, have not had a lot of success outside of it.

An example of the first is the english singer Robbie Williams, he is a big start in Europe, the UK, Latin America but he never had success in the USA.

An example of the second is most american rappers who are predominantly unknown outside the USA no matter how popular they are there, and to a lesser Degree someone like Elton John, who has always been more succesful in the USA than in the rest of the world, in many places he only became well known for his soundtrack to the Lion King disney movie.

[Solver]

Yep. Benedict's face isn't really remarkable in any way, so without the Pope's attributes, he'd look similar to an old man. I would expect many Catholics not to recognize him then, even. Another reason why Bush or someone like that is more likely to be it - he doesn't have any special clothing or other items.

[Barnabas]

Originally posted by Winston
I'm not even sure I'd be able to identify Madonna from her portrait. And Michael Jackson.. that's a ridiculous notion. Only 9 people, 7 of them renowned surgeons, know what he actually looks like.

And I don't think anywhere near one billion people could identify Pope Benedict without his wearing the robes, hat & cane..

There are over 1100 million catholics in the world, I would say almost all of them + almost all christians of other denominations + many (I dont know how many) msulims, atheists , hindus know him.

[LordShiva]

Hu Jintao? Manmohan Singh? Pele?

[Winston]

Saddam Hussein would probably be a contender if he hadn't stepped in something last December. A powerful moustache and killing people left and right can really do wonders for a guy in a comparison such as this.

[Mrs. Tuberski]

johnny depp aparantly men and women alike love him in all countries

[Maquiladora]

Originally posted by LordShiva
Pele?

Thats the first one i thought of.

Pelé

Although on further reflection i doubt he is.

[Drogue]

I'd go for bin Laden. Or perhaps Che, as his face is on t-shirts and posters all over the world.

[LordShiva]

You're right, chegitz is still alive. I'm not sure he's that well known, though.

[Drogue]

Meh, point taken

[notyoueither]

I'd say Winston is on the right track with Elizabeth. Recognising her would be a slam dunk for most people in the former empire (probably over a quarter of the worlds population now). Add in America, Europe (incl Russia) plus anyone aware of world affairs from the rest of the world for the last 50 years and I'd say she has a very good shot at it.

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by notyoueither
I'd say Winston is on the right track with Elizabeth. Recognising her would be a slam dunk for most people in the former empire (probably over a quarter of the worlds population now).

I'm not so sure about that. A good percentage of Indians, Africans, Malaysians, etc. probably have no idea who she is.

[DaShi]

Madonna

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Teh Hoff.

[Barnabas]

Originally posted by LordShiva


I'm not so sure about that. A good percentage of Indians, Africans, Malaysians, etc. probably have no idea who she is.

The same in south america

I am sure you could ask many people on the street, whats the name of the queen of england? and they would answer.... Isabel??