Top 50 Most Popular A-list Celebrities Of All Time

 

There is no greater feeling in the world than to love and receive that same love in return. While most of us squander our entire lives looking to find that sacred connection with the people around us, some are wise enough to understand that love and loyalty are rare sentiments that need time, patience, and protection.

 

Since we are talking about love, we must take a good few minutes to get better acquainted with the people who have loved and been loved by millions across the globe.

 

In our write-up today, we are not only including actors who continue to remain relevant and popular but we are also adding a number of musicians whose presence has gone on to change the face of the entertainment industry forever.

 

Most of the acting superstars we’ll be speaking of today command massive following and respect the world over and have come to be known for their on-screen longevity.

 

That said, we are also including numerous recording artists who have found success in different genres of music over the years.

 

So, besides learning that it is not easy to become renowned world celebrities, what these great A-listers also share in common is the profound admiration and love in their hearts for fans who support and continue to look up to them to this very day.

 

Since the A-list has become an industry-standard guide in both Hollywood and most film industries of the world, an unprecedented amount of hard work and dedication is required to be a part of the same.

 

 

 

1. Michael Jackson

 

 

Widely regarded as the “King of Pop”, Michael Jackson was a singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist who was/is arguably the most popular human being on the planet.

 

One of the most significant global cultural figures of the 20th century, he has inspired thousands of established and inspiring artists to realize their dreams.

 

The most awarded and followed musical artist in history, MJ is known to have popularized complex dance moves such as the moonwalk and the robot.

 

His album, Thriller, continues to be the best-selling music album of all time. A recipient of 39 Guinness World Records and 13 Grammy Awards, the unparalleled entertainer has been the top-earning dead celebrity for well over a decade now.

 

 

 

2. Marilyn Monroe

 

 

Marilyn Monroe was best known for playing comedic “blonde bombshell” characters in her numerous cinematic endeavors. She is arguably the most popular female celebrity of all time.

 

Not only was she the ultimate sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s but she also established herself as one of the highest-paid actresses during the peak of her career.

 

Inspired by actors such as Jean Harlow and Lana Turner, Monroe had a terribly difficult childhood and adult life.

 

However, she overcame all odds and fought the world in her relentless pursuit of love, passion, and faith; three of the most important elements in life that not many are fortunate enough to share and protect.

 

Ranked sixth by the American Film Institute on their list of the greatest female actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood, Monroe is one of the only few celebrities from decades ago whose legend continues to grow with the passage of time.

 

 

 

3. Tom Cruise

 

 

Quite possibly the biggest star in the history of motion pictures, Tom Cruise has got to be the most popular and highest-paid mainstream actor in the world today.

 

A recipient of three Golden Globe Awards, the iconic screen performer has participated in movies that have reportedly grossed over $4 billion in North America and over $11.5 billion at the global box office.

 

Known for feature films such as Top Gun, Vanilla Sky, Minority Report, Risky Business, Magnolia, and the Mission: Impossible series, Cruise delivered the biggest hit of his career at the age of 60 with Top Gun: Maverick.

 

The charismatic screen performer reprised his role as Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, which hit the screens the world over in July 2023.

 

While the motion picture opened to favorable reviews at the ticket counters, it was a box office disappointment of sorts, given the expectations from the very successful franchise.

 

 

 

4. Elvis Presley

 

 

The “King of Rock and Roll”, Elvis Presley, was not only one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century but also among the most controversial ones.

 

Known for his distinctive and provocative performance style, he was able to inspire thousands of people across the United States of America to emulate his hairstyles, costumes, and mannerisms.

 

Presley not only set the stage on fire with his various popular singles but he also capitalized on his popularity by participating in quite a few feature films.

 

His music has sold over 500 million records worldwide; therefore, making him arguably the best-selling solo music artist of all time.

 

 

5. Madonna

 

 

Hailed as the undisputed “Queen of Pop”, Madonna is a singer, songwriter, and actress who is widely recognized for her musical versatility and image reinventions.

 

Most of her projects have gone on to become controversial over the years. This is probably because they carry themes of contentious topics such as politics, sex, and religion.

 

Even though she is not as musically involved today, she continues to be one of the most significant and well-documented figures in pop culture history.

 

Her timelessness can be gauged from the fact that there has been an academic sub-discipline (Madonna studies) dedicated exclusively to her name.

 

 

6. Taylor Swift

 

 

When it comes to A-list celebrities working anywhere in the world today, no list can be complete without the inclusion of singer and songwriter Taylor Swift.

 

Recognized for her fantastic vocal skills and confident personality, she shot to fame at a very young age.

 

Swift started to pursue a career in country music at the age of 14 and has sung and composed quite a few singles that are inspired by her personal life.

 

The inherently talented and attractive performer is one of the most affluent female celebrities in the world today. A leading crossover artist, Swift’s music has sold over 200 million copies worldwide to date; thus, establishing her as one of the best-selling artists in history.

 

Her concert film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, was released in late 2023 and turned out to be the highest-grossing concert flick of all time, with a global gross of over $241 million.

 

The project documents Swift’s 2023-2024 concert tour and ends up giving a definitive edge to her entire discography.

 

 

7. Beyoncé

 

 

Beyoncé first found fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of an acclaimed group called Destiny’s Child. Over time, she went on to cement her position as one of the most loved singers to have ever held a mic.

 

Also a songwriter, producer, and actress, she is known to have had a knack for performing in various singing and dancing contests ever since she was a child.

 

Needless to say, the superstar had been sharpening her skills as a true-blue performer from before she officially entered the entertainment industry.

 

One of the most followed mainstream musicians in the world today, Beyoncé is reportedly the first solo artist whose first six studio albums have all debuted at number one on the Billboard 200; a feat that may not find worthy competition anytime in the near future.

 

 

8. Leonardo DiCaprio

 

 

Leonardo DiCaprio shot to fame after playing the role of Jack Dawson in master filmmaker James Cameron’s Titanic. He is one of the most famous and consistent actors in the world today.

 

A recipient of a British Academy Film Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and an Academy Award, he was also seen in the critically acclaimed Netflix feature film Don’t Look Up.

 

As of 2019, motion pictures featuring DiCaprio in a crucial role have gone on to amass over $7.2 billion at the worldwide box office.

 

Some of his finest credits are What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Django Unchained, Inception, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Revenant, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Shutter Island, The Departed, The Aviator, and Blood Diamond.

 

The decorated movie star was seen giving one of the better performances of his career in Martin Scorsese’s crime drama Killers of the Flower Moon, which hit the screens in late 2023.

 

Not a lot of people know that DiCaprio was insistent on playing the complex role of Ernest Burkhart in the same.

 

 

9. Lady Gaga

 

 

The stunning Lady Gaga is one of the only contemporary musical artists who has been killing it as an actor of late as well.

 

Known for her unmatched versatility and image reinventions, the superstar first found fame after the release of her chartbusters “Poker Face”, “Bad Romance”, and “Telephone”, among others.

 

When it comes to acting, she was first seen making her presence felt in the miniseries American Horror Story: Hotel.

 

Soon after, Gaga went on to win hearts by delivering consistent performances in feature films such as A Star Is Born and House of Gucci.

 

A decorated musician and an able screen actor, her music has sold an estimated 170 million records worldwide to date.

 

 

10. Robert Downey Jr.

 

 

One of the most admired Hollywood movie stars in the world, Robert Downey Jr. gained critical and commercial success at a very young age.

 

Popular for his portrayal of Iron Man/Tony Stark among film buffs across the globe, he was included on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2008.

 

Recognized as the highest-paid Hollywood actor from 2013 to 2015, Downey made his acting debut at the tender age of five in his father’s directorial venture, Pound.

 

After a handful of years of substance abuse, arrests, and subsequent rehab, he made his solid comeback to the movies by starring in several semi-independent projects and mainstream hits.

 

Today, Robert Downey Jr. is not only one of the most popular actors in the world but he is also among the richest ones.

 

However, he has never allowed his success and popularity as the “Iron Man” to take the actor out of him.

 

We say so because his portrayal of Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s much-awaited magnum opus Oppenheimer drew praises from all quarters of the motion picture industry.

 

 

11. Tom Hanks

 

 

One of the most distinguished and recognized film stars in the world, Tom Hanks is a mild-mannered and good-natured actor who has been entertaining us for decades by starring in iconic movies such as Big, Philadelphia, Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, and Cast Away.

 

Movies starring him in a significant role have grossed more than $4.9 billion in North America and over $9.96 billion at the global ticket windows.

 

A winner of two Academy Awards, Hanks has excelled and given memorable performances both in comedic and dramatic roles.

 

The legendary actor has received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama and the French Legion of Honor, among other important accolades.

 

 

12. Robert De Niro

 

 

Hailed by many as the greatest American actor of all time, Robert De Niro has delivered some of the best performances by a mainstream lead in the 20th century.

 

Known for his successful collaborations with top director Martin Scorsese, he has starred in several critically and commercially acclaimed projects such as Mean Streets, Heat, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino, The Godfather Part II, and Taxi Driver.

 

The star actor has received two Academy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, a Golden Globe Award, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award in his career so far.

 

In addition, The Irishman actor has been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom from the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, in 2016.

 

 

13. Al Pacino

 

 

One of the most celebrated actors in the history of motion pictures, Al Pacino gained prominence after playing the iconic part of Michael Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s epic gangster drama, The Godfather.

 

Since he has been a recipient of an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Tony Awards, it makes him one of the only few actors in the world to have achieved the coveted Triple Crown of Acting.

 

Also honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award, the National Medal of Arts, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award, Pacino gained worldwide acclaim for his extraordinary performances in feature films such as Scarface, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Carlito’s Way, Scent of a Woman, Donnie Brasco, and Heat.

 

 

14. Marlon Brando

 

 

Yet another screen personality who is widely regarded as the greatest actor of the bygone century is the phenomenal Marlon Brando.

 

Touted to be one of the first mainstream leads to apply the technique of Method acting, he found fame after having put his immense talent on display in motion pictures such as A Streetcar Named Desire, Burn!, Julius Caesar, The Wild One, and Last Tango in Paris.

 

However, it was his incredible portrayal in On the Waterfront that earned him his first Academy Award for Best Actor.

 

If critics thought that the legendary actor was past his prime by the onset of the 1970s, their theories were put to rest after Brando featured as Don Vito Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s cult classic, The Godfather; a project that fetched him his second Academy Award.

 

 

15. Dwayne Johnson

 

 

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made his film debut with The Mummy Returns. He is not only one of the most popular action movie stars in the world today but he is also among the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

 

One of the highest-paid screen performers, movies featuring Dwayne Johnson in a prominent role have gone on to gross over $3.5 billion in North America and more than $10.5 billion at the worldwide box office.

 

Aside from being a big-screen star and a gifted professional wrestler, Johnson is also a smart businessman. The actor is regularly seen posting fitness videos on his social media profiles.

 

He has featured in some well-known feature films such as Rampage, The Scorpion King, Fast Five, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.

 

 

16. Johnny Depp

 

 

Johnny Depp has been entertaining the viewers for over three decades now and is, of course, one of the most popular Hollywood stars to have faced the camera.

 

Even though he had headlined a number of critically acclaimed movies at the beginning of his career, the actor shot to global fame for his adroit and charismatic character projection of Captain Jack Sparrow in the massively successful Pirates of the Caribbean series of films.

 

A recipient of the Screen Actors Guild Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor, the superstar has also participated in much-loved movies such as Edward Scissorhands, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Donnie Brasco, and Dead Man, to name a few.

 

 

17. Will Smith

 

 

Will Smith is perhaps the finest example of how a rapper or musician can turn into a successful motion picture star if they, indeed, carry the “will” to do so.

 

The Pursuit of Happyness actor started his career as a musician rapper with a band called DJ Jazzy Jef. He rose to prominence after having played a role in the TV show Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

 

One of Hollywood’s better-known stars today, he was reported to be charging between $20 – $30 million per movie during the early 2000s.

 

For his performance in the biographical sports drama King Richard, Smith won the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor, respectively.

 

 

18. Ed Sheeran

 

 

Ed Sheeran began writing songs around the age of eleven. He is one of the most popular contemporary singers and songwriters.

 

While he won the Brit Awards for Best British Male Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act in 2012, his popularity peaked in the true sense of the word when he was named the Global Recording Artist of the Year for having sold the maximum number of records in 2017.

 

Sheeran is the second most streamed artist of the decade on a global scale on the music streaming service Spotify.

 

It is not surprising then that he has sold more than 150 million records in his career already.

 

 

19. Ariana Grande

 

 

Ariana Grande first gained recognition after playing the part of Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon TV series Victorious and its spin-off Sam & Cat.

 

While the personal life of the popular singer and actress has always found attention in the mainstream media, she has also managed to impress her harshest critics by baking on her fantabulous four-octave vocal range.

 

Believe it or not, the pop icon has 27 Guinness World Records attributed to her name and is reportedly the most streamed female artist of all time on platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify.

 

 

20. Scarlett Johansson

 

 

Arguably the most popular female superstar in the world today, films starring Scarlett Johansson have gone on to amass over $14.3 billion at the global ticket windows.

 

The Black Widow actor was the world’s highest-paid actress in 2018 and 2019. She has been the recipient of a Tony Award and a British Academy Film Award.

 

Often called the most good-looking woman on the planet, it was Johansson’s sex symbol image that was rapidly taking precedence during her initial years in the industry.

 

However, she has gone on to consolidate her position both as an actor and a bankable superstar over the last decade.

 

 

21. Brad Pitt

 

 

One of the most good-looking men to have ever graced the silver screen, Brad Pitt continues to be a bankable box office star even after three decades.

 

He has received an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, two Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award in his career so far.

 

The superstar is known to have delivered some of his finest performances in feature films such as Fight Club, Seven, World War Z, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

 

Pitt, who is also actively involved as a film producer today, has been cited as one of the most important figures in the American entertainment industry.

 

 

22. Emma Watson

 

 

Thanks to her life-altering portrayal of Hermione Granger in the beloved Harry Potter franchise of films, Emma Watson has cemented her place as one of the finest and most popular female stars of the 21st century.

 

The screen performer and activist is known for her roles in both blockbusters and independent features, and is among the highest-paid actresses in the world.

 

Included on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2015, Watson’s popularity would continue to remain intact even if she decides to stop making films today.

 

We say so because the timelessness of the Harry Potter series will continue to attract young fans even after years. Needless to say, the more they see Watson’s Hermione, the more they’d fall in love with her.

 

 

23. Adele

 

 

One of the best-known English singers to have graced us with her voice in the new millennium, Adele’s vocal skills are difficult to match. Her second studio album, 21, is the best-selling album by any artist in the 21st century, thus far.

 

With global chartbuster hits such as “Rolling in the Deep”, “Someone Like You”, and “Set Fire to the Rain”, she became the first female artist in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to have three simultaneous top-ten singles as a lead artist, and deservingly so.

 

Her single, Skyfall, for the blockbuster James Bond film of the same title, won the Academy Award and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.

 

Soon after, Adele’s third studio album, 25, went on to smash all first-week sales records as it turned out to become the best-selling music album of 2015.

 

 

24. Salman Khan

 

 

Arguably the biggest and most popular box office star in India today, Salman Khan is an actor, producer, screenwriter, and singer who has appeared in more than 75 motion pictures.

 

He is the only megastar who has featured in the highest-grossing movies of the year on eleven separate occasions since the beginning of his career; a record that continues to remain unmatched in Bollywood.

 

Also, he is the only actor to have headlined 17 consecutive films that have gone on to earn a minimum of 15 million USD (₹100 crores or more) at the domestic box office.

 

For those who are less aware, the 15 million USD mark is considered to be a benchmark for movies released in India.

 

The highest-paid actor and television host in India, Salman was voted the “7th Best Looking Man in the World” and the “Best Looking Man in India” by People magazine, United States, in 2004.

 

Aside from hosting numerous award shows, this mega movie star is also the host of two of the most popular television shows in India, namely ‘Bigg Boss’ and ‘Dus Ka Dum.’

 

Widely known for promoting humanitarian causes through his charity, Being Human Foundation, Khan is lovingly referred to as “Bhai” (Brother) and “Sultan (Emperor) of Bollywood” by his loyal fans.

 

 

25. Jackie Chan

 

 

Jackie Chan has been working as an actor since he was five years old. He is one of the most popular action movies stars in the world even today.

 

Besides being an admired screen actor, he is also a first-class martial artist, director, producer, and stunt performer. The popularity of Chan can be gauged from the fact that several references to his name are often made in cartoons, music videos, video games, and feature films, among other forms of media.

 

Also acknowledged for his comic timing, he has worked in over 150 motion pictures so far. Chan’s contribution to cinema has not only helped him receive a star on the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars but also on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 

 

26. Justin Bieber

 

 

If you’re truly fond of English songs, you must have chanced upon the genre-melding music of the spectacular Justin Bieber.

 

The singer-songwriter has had an influential role to play in the growth of modern-day popular music.

 

Born in Canada, Bieber achieved massive success in his teenage years and became a bonafide young music sensation in pop culture.

 

Easily among the most famous A-list celebrities in the world today, he shot to global fame following the release of his unimaginably successful single “Baby”; one that has been credited with strengthening Bieber’s fan following across the world.

 

His followers, who refer to themselves as “Beliebers”, have ensured that Bieber establishes himself as one of the best-selling artists of all time with sales of over 150 million copies to date.

 

 

27. Shah Rukh Khan

 

 

Shah Rukh Khan made his screen debut with the television show Fauji in 1989 and established himself as the new-age romantic icon of Bollywood during the second half of the 1990s and the early 2000s.

 

Popular for hits like Kal Ho Naa Ho, Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham, Veer Zaara, and My Name Is Khan, he is one of the wealthiest actors in the world.

 

Even though most of Khan’s films have failed to perform at the box office in the bygone decade, he continues to remain in the limelight courtesy of his many side businesses and other investments.

 

He featured in the action entertainer Pathaan in 2023, which was his first commercially successful film domestically in about 9 years. 

 

The star has established the Red Chillies production house, which is one of the better-known film production companies in India right now.

 

 

28. Shakira

 

 

This ineffably gorgeous Colombian singer made her recording debut with Sony Music Colombia at the age of 13. Dubbed the “Queen of Latin Music”, she started to gain recognition in her home country ever since her debut album was released.

 

However, her popularity in the English-speaking markets soared in the 2000s and continues to remain intact to date. A true international crossover artist, Shakira rocked the world in the true sense of the word following the release of her mega-chartbuster single “Waka Waka” in 2010.

 

The song is believed to be the most popular composition associated with any sporting event anywhere in the world.

 

 

29. Miley Cyrus

 

 

Trust the eccentric Miley Cyrus to thrive on her distinctive raspy voice to deliver even bigger chartbuster tracks in the future.

 

With a total of thirteen entries on the list, the sensational performer has managed to attain the most US Billboard 200 top-five albums in the 21st century by a female artist.

 

Easily among the most talked-about singers of the new millennium, Cyrus started her career by playing the main lead in Disney Channel’s much-loved Hannah Montana; a show that helped the multi-genre artist turn into the ultimate “Teen Queen” in no time.

 

 

30. Aamir Khan

 

 

One of the most respected and finest actors in the Indian film industry, Aamir Khan has been an A-list celebrity for as long as three decades now.

 

He headlined the biographical sports drama Dangal, which continues to be the highest-grossing Indian motion picture in the world.

 

Popularly known as “Mr. Perfectionist” by film buffs and critics, Aamir has been the star of many of Bollywood’s finest films to have hit the screens in the 21st century.

 

Besides his home country, the actor also enjoys a massive fan following in China; a nation that is known for welcoming some of his critically acclaimed movies with open arms.

 

 

31. Amitabh Bachchan

 

 

The most dominant Indian superstar of the 20th century, Amitabh Bachchan rose to prominence during the late 1970s after having headlined a string of hugely successful action entertainers.

 

Popularly known as “Big B” and the “Angry Young Man” of Bollywood, he is arguably the most decorated Indian movie star to have ever graced the screens.

 

Besides being a leading actor, he has also been a competent singer and a respected television host. The great movie star has been honored with the Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 2001, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 by the Government of India, respectively.

 

 

32. Freddie Mercury

 

 

Hailed by many as one of the greatest artists in the history of rock music, this British singer and songwriter achieved global fame as the lead vocalist of the famous rock band Queen.

 

Known for his charismatic stage persona and four-octave vocal range, he was often seen interacting with his dedicated audience through his songs while performing live.

 

For his outstanding contributions to music, Mercury was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 as a member of Queen.

 

He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004.

 

Furthermore, Freddie was voted the 58th greatest Briton to have ever lived in a BBC poll conducted in 2002.

 

 

33. Julia Roberts

 

 

Named the most beautiful woman in the world a record five times by People magazine, Julia Roberts is one of the biggest female superstars to have ever been produced by Hollywood.

 

Counted amongst the world’s highest-paid actresses for the major part of the 1990s as well as the early 2000s, films starring her have gone on to earn over $3.8 billion at the global ticket counters.

 

The phenomenal actress is best known for her stupendous performances in critical and commercial blockbusters such as Pretty Woman, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Notting Hill, Sleeping with the Enemy, and Erin Brockovich, to name a few.

 

 

34. Meryl Streep

 

 

It is difficult for any actress working anywhere in the world to match the stature of Meryl Streep as a screen performer in the near future.

 

Considered by many to be the greatest actress to have ever stepped into Hollywood, she is known for her magnificent accent adaptability and versatility.

 

Awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2010 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014, Streep has also been nominated for a record 21 Academy Awards, winning three of them.

 

An absolute favorite of film critics across the globe, the Out of Africa star has developed a cult and classy following over the years.

 

 

35. Sandra Bullock

 

 

The eternally beautiful Sandra Bullock is one of the most prominent Hollywood stars of the modern era. The world’s highest-paid actress in both 2010 and 2014, she has received an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

 

Named by Time magazine in their list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2010, Bullock has also been included on several lists ranking the most good-looking people on the planet.

 

She was dubbed the 58th best movie star of all time in Empire’s compilation of the top 100. Needless to mention, the superstar actress has been one of the most powerful women in the film industry for quite some time now.

 

 

36. Elton John

 

 

Yet another popular British artist to make it to our list is the inimitable Elton John. Nicknamed “Rocket Man” following the release of his 1972 hit single of the same name, he’s had a prosperous career as a recording artist since the 1970s.

 

His showmanship and music have been acknowledged by listeners across the globe as he has managed to sell about 300 million records to date.

 

A recipient of five Grammy Awards, John’s 1973 double album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and his 1974 Greatest Hits compilation album are counted among the best-selling music albums of all time.

 

 

37. John Lennon

 

 

Voted the eighth greatest Briton to have ever lived in a BBC history poll conducted in 2002, John Lennon was a singer, songwriter, musician, and peace activist.

 

He shot to global fame as not only the founder but also the co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles.

 

Lennon’s songwriting partnership with Paul McCartney remains unbelievably successful for he was known for incorporating a rebellious tone and wit in his music.

 

His best-selling album, Double Fantasy, received the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1981. Lennon served in the capacity of a performer, writer, or co-writer on 25 singles that went on to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

 

 

38. Whitney Houston

 

 

Nicknamed “The Voice” for her unmatched vocals and improvisational skills, the beloved Whitney Houston continues to be one of the best-selling artists of all time with her music selling an estimated 200 million records globally.

 

A recipient of numerous accolades, the amazing vocalist has inspired a generation of aspiring singers. Even though her music and public appearances made a whole lot of money for everyone involved, they also fetched their fair share of inevitable controversy.

 

Be that as it may, the fact that Houston is the only artist to have had seven consecutive number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 perhaps overshadows the frailty of her life.

 

 

39. Frank Sinatra

 

 

This singer and actor was easily one of the most popular entertainers to have lived during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.

 

Nicknamed the “Chairman of the Board”, his music has sold an estimated 150 million records to date worldwide; making him one of the best-selling artists in all of entertainment.

 

He received an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in From Here to Eternity.

 

Also the recipient of eleven Grammy Awards, Sinatra led a colorful and controversial life and was also heavily involved with politics during his heyday.

 

The star was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagan in 1985 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1997.

 

 

40. Enrique Iglesias

 

 

A lot many of us during the late 1990s and the 2000s were introduced to international music through Enrique Iglesias and his numerous chartbusters.

 

Even though he debuted in the mid-1990s, the singer went on to become arguably the most popular Spanish performer at the time.

 

While “The King of Latin Pop” may not be as active today, only those who have been fortunate enough to play songs like “Finally Found You”, “Somebody’s Me”, “I Like It”, and “Hero” during his heyday can truly understand what the man meant to popular culture about a decade or so ago.

 

 

41. David Bowie

 

 

One of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, David Bowie was acknowledged by his fans and critics alike for his inventive music.

 

The leading singer was popular for his reinvention and visual presentation; two essential elements that went on to change how popular music was comprehended by the audience at the time.

 

Throughout his peak during the 1980s and 1990s, Bowie continued to experiment with his performance style and music. While he managed to sell over 100 million records worldwide, he was also seen making sporadic film appearances.

 

Today, Bowie is regarded by many as the greatest rock star to have ever lived.

 

 

42. Christopher Nolan

 

 

This British-American film director, producer, and screenwriter is quite possibly the most popular and sought-after filmmaker of the new millennium.

 

Known to have directed epic motion pictures such as Interstellar, Dunkirk, Inception, The Prestige, and The Dark Knight Trilogy, his projects can usually be seen as toying with the concept of human morality and the construction of time.

 

Needless to say, his larger-than-life and, yet, thematically strong credits have gone on to amass more than $5 billion at the worldwide box office.

 

In addition, they have also managed to garner 11 Academy Awards from 36 well-deserved nominations.

 

Nolan consolidated his position as a filmmaker with the release of the critically acclaimed Oppenheimer.

 

 

43. Jennifer Lopez

 

 

Officially the first Hispanic actress ever to earn over $1 million for a movie, J.Lo is as international as any other artist on this list. An outstanding singer and dancer, she tried her hands at acting quite early in her career.

 

While she appeared as a Fly Girl dancer on the sketch comedy television series In Living Color during the 1990s, her participation in motion pictures such as Anaconda and Out of Sight consolidated her place as a top Hispanic performer within the industry.

 

Besides having featured in films that have raked in more than $3.1 billion worldwide, Lopez has also been able to sell about 70 million records as a singer to date.

 

 

44. Britney Spears

 

 

We believe that the music aficionados are aware of the fact that the first two studio albums of Britney Spears were among the best-selling albums of the time. Indeed, they helped her become the fastest-selling teenage artist in music history.

 

Needless to say, the scintillating singer and dancer was soon credited with reviving the teen pop culture during the initial stages of her career.

 

Frequently called the “Princess of Pop”, she has sold over 150 million records worldwide and has been named the eighth-biggest musical artist of the 2000s by Billboard.

 

 

45. Bob Dylan

 

 

Those who have fine taste in music are more than familiar with the name Bob Dylan. The American singer and songwriter is often called one of the greatest songwriters of all time by fans and music critics across the globe.

 

The influence that he’s had on popular culture throughout his 60-year-long career as an artist cannot be refuted.

 

While songs such as “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are a-Changin” became bonafide anthems for the civil rights and anti-war movements, their popularity during the beginning of his career also eventually helped him sell over 125 million records globally.

 

Dylan has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, ten Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award, respectively.

 

 

46. Steven Spielberg

 

 

Arguably the most commercially successful film director of all time, Steven Spielberg was one of the most prominent faces of the New Hollywood era.

 

A recipient of three Academy Awards, a Kennedy Center honor, a Cecil B. DeMille Award, and an AFI Life Achievement Award, he has directed some truly great feature films such as Duel, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Saving Private Ryan, Jurassic Park, and Schindler’s List.

 

Spielberg, who co-founded Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks, has helmed several projects that have been deservingly inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being culturally and historically important.

 

 

47. Alfred Hitchcock

 

 

One of the most influential figures in the history of film production, Alfred Hitchcock’s career as a mainstream filmmaker spanned six staggering decades.

 

Hailed as the unparalleled ‘Master of Suspense’ by ardent cine-buffs across the globe, his films garnered 46 Academy Award nominations, winning six of them.

 

Among the most studied and admired film directors of all time, some of Hitchcock’s best movies are Vertigo, Psycho, Rear Window, Notorious, North by Northwest, and The Birds.

 

His filmmaking style is widely referred to as the “Hitchcockian” style for his imaginative camerawork, unpredictable writing, editing, and framing shots to induce a sense of horror among the audience.

 

 

48. Oprah Winfrey

 

 

The undisputed “Queen of All Media”, Oprah Winfrey is easily among the most talked about celebrities in the world and has been one for as long as one can remember.

 

A true-blue renaissance woman and a self-made billionaire, she is the most popular talk show host on the planet; thanks to her phenomenal television program, The Oprah Winfrey, that ran for 25 glorious years.

 

Also a multimedia executive, actress, producer, and writer, Oprah is widely hailed as one of the most influential women to have ever been a part of the entertainment industry.

 

The woman has also been named the richest African-American of the 20th century.

 

 

49. Celine Dion

 

 

Popular for her effective and technically skilled vocals, Celine Dion is one of the most popular singers of all time.

 

Her song, “My Heart Will Go On”, which was recorded for the global blockbuster film Titanic, is arguably the most popular song to have ever been included in a motion picture.

 

With estimated sales of over 200 million records, Dion is not only the best-selling Canadian artist but also the best-selling French-language recording artist of all time.

 

Besides English and French, the singer is also known to have sung in Spanish, Italian, German, Latin, Japanese, and Chinese languages.

 

 

50. Ellen DeGeneres

 

 

The star of the sitcom Ellen, Ellen DeGeneres is one of the most powerful women in the entertainment industry today.

 

Besides being among the most renowned talk show hosts in the world, she is also a comedian, actress, writer, and producer.

 

For being the star host of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the lady went on to grab a smashing 33 Daytime Emmy Awards.

 

Aside from her own show, DeGeneres has also hosted the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, and the Primetime Emmys, respectively.

 

A winner of the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Finding Nemo, she has appeared in two sitcoms and a few feature films as well.