American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures

Mike Rothschild
Updated July 15, 2024 94.0K views 286 items
Ranked By
321.1K votes
17.5K voters
Voting Rules

Vote up only living figures who are still in the public eye.

America's national treasures work in different fields, are of different generations, and all have different stories to tell. But all of their stories are that of America itself. Some are media moguls, others are entertainers that nobody can bring themselves to hate. A few are politicians that have enormous influence and cultural cachet, even if you completely disagree with everything they believe in. But what they have in common is that they exemplify the American spirit, can-do attitude, and our cultural heritage. They also do really great on talk shows. They're US national treasures and are loved by just about everyone.

These likable celebrities and public figures who are national treasures are the ones that, love them or hate them, can't get enough of them or totally sick of them, truly show what it means to be American. To take risks, to give back, to never give up, to be in control of their environment, and to know exactly what to say at the right time.

Most divisive: Tina Turner
Over 17.5K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Famous American National Treasures
Ranked by
  • Dolly Parton
    1
    Age: 78
    1,986 votes
    • Birthplace: Sevierville, Tennessee, USA
  • James Earl Jones
    2
    Dec. at 93 (1931-2024)
    1,520 votes
    • Birthplace: Arkabutla, Mississippi, USA
  • Dick Van Dyke
    3
    Age: 99
    1,230 votes
    • Birthplace: West Plains, USA, Missouri
  • Tom Hanks
    4
    Age: 68
    2,585 votes
  • Keanu Reeves
    5
    Age: 60
    496 votes
    • Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon
  • Denzel Washington
    6
    Age: 70
    1,004 votes
    • Birthplace: Mount Vernon, New York, USA