Famous 20th Century Entertainers

Widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, Muhammad Ali was a major figure of the 20th century. He was an inspirational figure for African-Americans during the civil rights movement. Because of his opposition to Vietnam War and his refusal to be drafted into military, Muhammad Ali became an icon for the larger counterculture generation.

Bob Barker is a retired TV game show host. Barker is credited with making CBS's The Price Is Right the longest-running daytime game show in the history of North American television, hosting the show from 1972 to 2007. Also an animal rights activist, Barker has supported groups like the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the United Activists for Animal Rights.

British-born American comedian and TV personality, Steve-O, gained international fame with his performance stunts in the TV series Jackass. Following a nomadic childhood, he graduated from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College and began his career as a clown. He eventually started appearing on TV shows and became popular.

Mel Blanc was an American radio personality and voice actor. Dubbed The Man of a Thousand Voices, Blanc contributed immensely to the success of several theatrical cartoons by voicing famous characters, such as Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, Barney Rubble, and Mr. Spacely. He was considered one of the most influential and important personalities in the voice acting industry.

Betty Grable was one of the most popular actresses in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s. She starred in numerous big-budget movies and was at one point the highest-salaried American woman. She began her career as a preteen and gained prominence as a young woman. A celebrated sex symbol, she was the number-one pin-up girl of World War II. 

Mayte Garcia is an American dancer, singer, and actress. She has worked with popular artists like Britney Spears. Mayte Garcia was married to record producer and musician, Prince, from 1996 to 2000. Mayte Garcia has also written a book titled The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince which was published in 2017.

Alyssa Edwards is an American choreographer, drag performer, and businessperson. She gained international prominence after participating in the reality competition TV series RuPaul's Drag Race in 2013. In June 2019, she was ranked fifth in New York magazine's most powerful drag queens in America list. Alyssa Edwards’ life and career inspired the 2018 docuseries Dancing Queen which premiered on Netflix.

Gypsy Rose Lee was an American vedette and burlesque entertainer best remembered for her striptease act. She was also an actress, playwright, and author whose memoir inspired the 1959 stage musical, Gypsy. Lee's life inspired several works of art, including a song titled Gypsy Rose Lee by The Distillers. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Roy Horn was a German-American entertainer and magician. He was one half of the magician duo Siegfried & Roy. Horn and Siegfried were famous for appearing alongside tigers and lions. From 1990 to 2003, their show performed at The Mirage was considered the most-visited show in Las Vegas. Their act inspired the biographical movie Siegfried & Roy: The Magic Box.

Kagney Linn Karter is an American model, pornographic actress, and former stripper. Over the years, Karter has received many awards and nominations for her performance in pornographic movies. In 2012, she was featured in a BBC documentary titled Twilight of the Porn Stars which focuses on the porn industry and the lives of popular porn stars.

Chris Pontius is an American actor and stunt performer. After appearing in the popular reality slapstick comedy TV series Jackass, Pontius went on to contribute as a writer for the comedy film Jackass: The Movie, a continuation of the series. He then went on to contribute as a writer for the subsequent Jackass movies, including Jackass 3D and Jackass Forever.

David Gest was an American television personality and producer. He is credited with founding the American Cinema Awards Foundation. He is also credited with putting together the last reunion of the Jacksons and Michael Jackson by producing the TV special Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration.

Noël Wells is an American actress, musician, comedian, director, and writer. From voicing Kelsey Pokoly in the Cartoon Network series Craig of the Creek to appearing on Saturday Night Live as a featured player, Noël Wells has been a prominent entertainer over the years. A multi-talented personality, Wells also displays her photographs in exhibitions.

Mamie Van Doren is an American former model, singer, and actress. Van Doren achieved popularity during the 1950s and is best known for her performance in the 1957 American teen film Untamed Youth. In 2005, she was honored with a Golden Palm Star. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

One of the first to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Virginia Clara Jones was possibly Warner Brothers' biggest box-office money-maker in late 1940s. Beginning her career with vaudevilles, she quickly signed contracts first with Goldwyn and later with Warner Brothers, giving out numerous hits, including Oscar-winning The Best Years of Our Lives and White Heat.

James A. Bailey was an American impresario and circus ringmaster. He is credited with co-founding one of the greatest circus companies of all time, Barnum and Bailey's Circus. A year after his death, his widow sold the circus to the Ringling brothers, resulting in the formation of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Phil Silvers was an American comedian and entertainer. Dubbed the King of Chutzpah, Silvers won two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Tony Awards during his illustrious career that spanned almost six decades. In 1996, he was ranked 31st on TV Guide's list of 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time. Silvers’ work has inspired other comedians like Dick Van Dyke.

Helene Fischer is a German singer, dancer, actress, and TV presenter. She attended the Frankfurt Stage & Musical School to study singing and acting. She made her debut in 2005 and found immediate success. Eventually, she started singing in English as well. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including 17 Echo awards and four "Krone der Volksmusik" prizes. 

Brett Rossi is an American entertainer, glamor model, pornographic film actress, and dancer. Over the years Rossi has performed in more than 170 pornographic films, winning the prestigious AVN Award in 2012. Brett Rossi has used her popularity to raise issues regarding the treatment of porn stars within the American adult film industry.

Jenna Ushkowitz is a Korean-born American singer, actress, podcast host, and producer. She is the recipient of the prestigious Tony Award which she won as a producer for a musical titled Once on This Island. Ushkowitz is also known for her activism and charity work; she has worked with non-profit organizations like Oceana, Kindred Foundation, and the NOH8 Campaign.

Terri Nunn is an American actress and singer best known for fronting the popular new wave band Berlin. A multi-talented personality, Nunn also appears in movies and TV shows, such as RuPaul's Drag Race. In 2008, she contributed immensely to Carrie Borzillo's book Cherry Bomb by imparting sex and dating advice.

An American actor and stand-up comedian, Emo Philips is famous as much for his unique look as for his on-stage antics, appearing as a highly intelligent, but restless and nervous individual.  That apart, he has also been featured in numerous film and television roles and has recorded three comedy albums, the first of which won the 1985 New Music Award.

The daughter of singer parents, Deniece Williams grew up singing gospel. Though she initially aspired to be a nurse and an anesthetist, she later took up music full-time and began performing at nightclubs. The Grammy-winning artist soared to fame with tracks such as They Say and I Believe in You.

Wavy Gravy is an American peace activist and entertainer best known for his countercultural beliefs and hippie persona. He is credited with founding or co-founding many organizations, such as the Hog Farm, Seva Foundation, and Camp Winnarainbow. During the 1960s, he founded a secret society called the Phurst Church of Phun which aimed at opposing the Vietnam War.

Adrian Joseph Cronauer, a United States Air Force Radio and Television Broadcasting Specialist, posted in Vietnam during 1965-1966, opened his show, the Dawn Buster, with "Goooooood morning Vietnam!", an experience that later inspired the 1987 film, Good Morning, Vietnam. In later years, he practiced law, specializing in information and communications law, concurrently continuing to remain involved with radio and television.

Born Dolores L. DeFina, she became Dolores Hope after her marriage to actor and comedian, Bob Hope.  A fine singer and a woman of words, she entertained American overseas soldiers for fifty years, recording her first CD, Dolores Hope: Now and Then, at the age of eighty-three. e.

Frank Lentini was a Sicilian-American sideshow performer who was featured in several circuses including the famous Barnum and Bailey circus. Lentini gained popularity as he was born with a parasitic twin, which resulted in a third leg. In a career spanning more than four decades Lentini worked with every major circus in the US.

Justin Willman is an American comedian, television personality, magician, and producer. He is credited with creating the popular reality television show, Magic for Humans. Justin Willman is also known for his philanthropic efforts; he serves on the board of directors for MagicAid, a non-profit organization that uses magic tricks to improve the hospitalization experience for children.

Rick Dees is an American comedian, entertainer, radio personality, voice artist, and actor. He is credited with co-founding Fine Living which was later renamed Cooking Channel. He is also credited with creating an internationally syndicated radio program named Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown. He has been inducted into the Broadcast Hall of Fame.