1

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill)

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Luke Skywalker is one of pop culture’s most beloved icons. In the first "Star Wars" movie, this young man goes from a life of solitude and safe boredom to a wondrous journey filled with lasers and space magic. Luke not only finds invaluable friends, mentors, and comrades, but he also discovers the purpose he has been looking for his entire life.

Mark Hamill portrayed this character for over 40 years, from his days as a young Jedi apprentice in 1977 "A New Hope", to Luke’s last days as a wise hermit in 2017 "The Last Jedi". You would think that being typecast for such a long time would discourage Hamil, but the actor seems to always be happy to portray Luke on the big screen.

2

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)

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Indiana Jones proved to an entire generation that archaeologists can be cool too! Harrison Ford first brought this iconic adventurer to life in the 1981 classic "Raiders of the Lost Ark", and continued to portray him for 4 more films, with the last one in the series (so far) being released in 2023.

Indiana is instantly recognizable through his wide-brimmed fedora, his trusted whip, and his quick-witted sense of humor. There’s not much we can say about this character that’s not already common knowledge, so we’ll end this entry with a less-known fact: Did you know that Indy’s full name is Dr. Henry Walton Jones, Jr?

3

Superman (Christopher Reeve)

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While up to date over 13 actors have portrayed " the Man of Steel " on film since the character’s creation in 1938, a pretty strong argument could be made that Christopher Reeve’s performance in the 1978 movie "Superman" truly brought this iconic superhero to life.

Reeve was just perfect for the part: He effortlessly brought a level of nuance and depth to Superman while still maintaining the warmth and disposition that made him a pop culture icon. In the end, Reeve is able to show us that, just like every American hero, Superman’s main source of strength is his heart.

4

Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox)

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Marty McFly , the quick-witted and hot-headed protagonist of the "Back to the Future" trilogy, was meant to represent a typical American teenager. And yet, Marty is by all means definitively way cooler than the average teenager: He is charismatic, an amazing guitar player (so much so that he "invented" rock n’ roll), and extremely proficient with his trusted skateboard.

Much of Marty’s legacy as a pop icon can be attributed to Michael J. Fox’s performance. This amazing actor was able to portray Marty’s coolness as well as his bravery, sensitivity, and daredevil ways. Almost 40 years have passed since the release of the first "Back to the Future", but most of us still get goosebumps whenever we see Marty and his iconic Delorean speeding up through time.

5

Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver)

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Few sci-fi characters inspire the awe and admiration that Ellen Ripley does. The very first movie in the Alien series depicts her as a cool-headed and strategic leader, who almost single-handedly manages to defeat one of the deadliest creatures in the universe.

As the films went on, Ripley’s guts and strength continued to grow, saving the Earth from a full-blown alien invasion on at least three different occasions. Portrayed by legendary actress Sigourney Weaver, Ripley is to this day considered to be one of the toughest characters in this genre’s history.

6

John McClane (Bruce Willis)

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Is John McClane the ultimate action hero? That’s definitively a heated debate, so it might be better to set that question aside for another article. However, no one can deny that Bruce Willis’ character in this groundbreaking series is one of the finest cops the NYPD has to offer.

Based on a character from the 1979 novel "Nothing Lasts Forever", John McClane is a sarcastic, wisecracking, and particularly skilled detective who finds himself in dangerous situations in which he is forced to single-handedly save the day. Willis has played McClane in five different films, which go from the original 1988 film to 2013’s "A Good Day to Die Hard".

7

Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks)

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Some believe that Forrest Gump is the quintessential American protagonist, and with good reason: Whether it's his huge heart or a random stroke of luck, Forrest seems to always be at the right place at the right time. Not only that, but his personal story seems to be directly connected to major turning points during the latter half of the 20th century.

Portrayed by Tom Hanks in an outstanding performance that earned him an Academy Award, Forrest Gump is a simple-minded but warmhearted and extremely talented Alabama man who lives an extraordinary life. His search for his childhood love takes him on a journey throughout American history: Forrest teaches Elvis how to dance, helps expose the Watergate Scandal, and runs a three-year marathon across the United States.

8

The Man With No Name (Clint Eastwood)

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Let’s start this entry by addressing the elephant in the room: Yes, Clint Eastwood’s iconic cowboy character does have a name. In fact, he has several: In the three movies this laid-back and quiet gunslinger appears, he is called by several names including "Blondie", "Joe", and "Manco". However, the truth of the matter is that a man with many names is the same as a man with none, so in the end "The Man with No Name" seems like an appropriate title.

Eastwood played this taciturn antihero in "A Fistful of Dollars", "For a Few Dollars More", and "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." While his most notable characteristic is his silent manners, he is also instantly recognizable by his poncho and tan cowboy boots.

9

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone)

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Rocky’s story, both inside and outside the movie set, can be summed up into a single word: Resilience. In the first film, released in 1976, Rocky is an up-and-coming club boxer who risks it all at a shot at the heavyweight title. Likewise, Sylvester Stallone was a financially broke actor when he wrote the screenplay for "Rocky" in just three days. However, he resisted and persevered with his intent of playing the titular character, which eventually resulted in his most iconic movie role.

After the first movie became a huge hit, winning the Oscar for Best Picture, Stallone reprised this Philadelphia boxer in six different "Rocky" films. Not only that, Balboa has now taken on a mentor role in the franchise’s spin-off series "Creed".

10

Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart)

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We’ll end this article with an American legend. The 1942 film " Casablanca " is now considered one of the most influential films of all time: It is consistently on the top of lists of the best films in history, and it was selected for preservation by the U.S. Congress in the National Film Registry. In that regard, much of what made this film so unforgettable comes from Humphrey Bogart’s performance as Rick Blaine, a cynical American expatriate with a heart of gold living in Casablanca, Morocco.

Alongside Detective Sam Spade, Rick is perhaps Bogart's most iconic character. His seemingly bitter persona hides the pain of his long-lost love Ilsa Lund, wonderfully portrayed by Ingrid Bergman. In the end, Boggart helps Ilsa and her husband escape the German army, showing his good nature before leaving Casablanca.

1

Paul Bunyan

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Paul Bunyan , the colossal lumberjack of American folklore, is said to have cleared forests from the Northeast to the Pacific Northwest. With his blue ox, Babe , he performed incredible feats of strength, like carving out the Grand Canyon just by dragging his axe behind him, and creating the Great Lakes with his footprints.

Originating in oral traditions among lumberjacks, Bunyan’s exaggerated exploits gained momentum with the American westward expansion during the 19th century and soon became deeply ingrained in the popular imagination.

2

Johnny Appleseed

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Born John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed wandered the American frontier planting apple trees and spreading goodwill in the early 19th century. A devout Christian, he became a folk hero for his kindness, environmentalism, and pioneering spirit.

Contrary to the popular image of Johnny Appleseed randomly scattering apple seeds, he was a skilled nurseryman who meticulously planted apple tree nurseries. Each nursery was carefully fenced to shield the saplings from livestock and wildlife. After establishing these nurseries, he entrusted them to neighbors but revisited them periodically.

3

Pecos Bill

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Pecos Bill , a fictional cowboy raised by coyotes in the wilds of Texas, became a larger-than-life figure known for taming cyclones and roping tornadoes. His adventures, first popularized in the early 20th century, embody the frontier spirit and Texas mythology, blending humor with tales of rugged individualism.

Among his many tales, one credits him with creating the Gulf of Mexico . According to legend, during a severe drought in Texas, Pecos Bill lassoed a storm cloud in California and brought it to Texas. The resulting deluge caused extensive flooding, ultimately forming the Gulf.

4

Davy Crockett

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Davy Crockett , known as the "King of the Wild Frontier," was a real-life frontiersman later turned politician whose exploits were mythologized even during his lifetime. Born in East Tennessee, he quickly gained fame for his sharp hunting skills and captivating storytelling.

During his time in the U.S. Congress, he staunchly opposed many of President Andrew Jackson’s policies, particularly the Indian Removal Act, and championed the rights of small landowners. Crockett’s life ended with valor at the Battle of the Alamo , solidifying his folk legend as a symbol of courage and patriotism. His legacy remains an enduring part of American history.

5

Calamity Jane

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Martha Jane Canary, better known by her alias Calamity Jane, was a frontierswoman and scout famed for her sharpshooting skills and daredevil exploits. During her youth, she stepped up to provide for her large family, taking on various jobs, from ox team driver to scout for Fort Russell. Eventually, she embraced the rough and adventurous lifestyle that made her a legend.

Despite her fearsome reputation, Calamity Jane was compassionate and often helped those in need. Her adventures in the Wild West alongside figures like Wild Bill Hickok cemented her status as a legend of the American frontier.

6

Molly Pitcher

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Molly Pitcher, the nickname given to Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley, became famous for her bravery during the American Revolutionary War. Although several historical figures are known by this moniker for similar deeds, Mary Ludwig Hays distinguished herself during the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778, where she served as a water carrier for the soldiers.

When her husband, an artilleryman in the Continental Army, fell to enemy fire, she took his place, swabbing and loading the cannon with such bravery and determination that she earned a commendation from George Washington.

7

Daniel Boone

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Daniel Boone was a legendary frontiersman and explorer who blazed trails through the Appalachian Mountains and into Kentucky. Born in 1734, Boone became famous for his expert hunting and survival skills, as well as his role in establishing the Wilderness Road, a trail that facilitated westward migration through the Cumberland Gap.

After serving as a militia officer during the Revolutionary War, he was briefly taken in by the Shawnees in the Northeastern Woodlands. After a few years, he returned and continued to help protect the Kentucky settlements.

8

Buffalo Bill

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William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a legendary figure of the American West, known for his Wild West shows that toured the United States and Europe. Born in 1846, Cody was a skilled buffalo hunter, Army scout, and showman who brought cowboy skills and frontier life to audiences worldwide.

He earned his nickname after the Civil War by providing Kansas Pacific Railroad workers with buffalo meat, hunting record numbers of the animal. He even engaged in hunting competitions with his partner, Bill Comstock. His legendary figure has been frequently portrayed in film and television, especially during the height of the Western genre in the 1960s.

9

Wild Bill Hickok

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James Butler Hickok, famously known as Wild Bill Hickok, was a legendary figure of the American Old West. Born in 1837, Hickok gained fame as a skilled marksman, gambler, and lawman.

Though his exploits were certainly exaggerated by the outlandish tales he told about himself, he was involved in several notorious gunfights during his life. Most notably, he dueled with Davis Tutt, a local gambler with whom he had various disagreements, particularly over their mutual affection for the same woman.

10

John Henry

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John Henry was a legendary steel-driving man whose man-against-machine tale epitomized the strength and resilience of the American worker. An African American freedman, his dangerous job involved hammering steel drills into rocks to create holes for explosives used to blast open railroad tunnels.

According to the legend, John Henry's prowess was tested in a race against a steam-powered drill. He won the race but tragically died after victory, hammer in hand when his heart gave out from the immense physical stress.

1

Seaside, Florida: The Truman Show

Seaside, Florida captured the hyper-idyllic essence of the fictional "Seahaven Island" in 1998’s satirical classic, The Truman Show .

Director Peter Weir and his location scouts found the exact picture-perfect community they needed in this town , with its pristine streets, pastel homes, and carefully planned design. That’s why, instead of building a massive Hollywood soundstage, the production team filmed in this 80-acre master-planned coastal community along Northwest Florida's Scenic Highway 30A. The real town became the fictional place where Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) unknowingly lives inside a television show. The movie helped turn this quiet Florida Panhandle community into a destination for movie fans.

2

Estes Park, Colorado: The Shining

Estes Park, Colorado, became famous on the literary and cinematic map because its historic Stanley Hotel inspired Stephen King to write his legendary 1977 horror novel The Shinin g.

King and his wife stayed at the hotel in 1974 when it was nearly empty as the season was ending, which inevitably fueled the author's imagination. Their stay, including a night in Room 217, helped inspire the fictional Overlook Hotel. While Stanley Kubrick filmed the exterior of his 1980 movie elsewhere, the Stanley Hotel became a filming location for the 1997 television miniseries adaptation.

3

Marfa, Texas: Giant

Marfa, Texas became a legendary screen destination when it hosted the 1955 production of the classic Hollywood epic Giant, starring Elizabeth Taylor (Leslie Benedict), Rock Hudson (Bick Benedict), and James Dean (Jett Rink) in his final completed film role.

Director George Stevens used the stark West Texas desert outside Marfa to portray the sprawling "Reata" ranch. The cast and crew stayed at the historic Hotel Paisano during production, which became the center of the shoot’s off-screen life and still displays Giant memorabilia today, including giant roadside cutouts of Taylor, Dean, and Rock Hudson .

4

Monroeville, Alabama: To Kill a Mockingbird

Monroeville, Alabama, inspired the fictional town of Maycomb in Harper Lee’s novel and the 1962 film adaptation To Kill a Mockingbird . However, the movie was largely filmed on Universal Studios’ backlot in California, rather than in Alabama itself.

Universal’s designers recreated the Southern setting on the studio lot after visiting the location and taking photographs and measurements of the town and courthouse. The courtroom was carefully modeled on the interior of Monroeville’s courthouse, helping make the fictional Maycomb feel remarkably authentic. Today, you can visit the "A Celebration of Reading" sculpture in the same square . Created by Branko Medencica, the bronze sculpture features unidentified characters from the novel, although many reasonably assume they represent Scout, Jem, and Dill.

5

Savannah, Georgia: Forrest Gump

Savannah, Georgia provided the setting for some of the most recognizable scenes in 1994’s Forrest Gump .

While the fictional town of Greenbow, Alabama, and many rural landscapes were actually brought to life in other parts of Georgia and South Carolina, this town was the backdrop for the movie’s famous bus-stop scenes, where Forrest (Tom Hanks) sits with his box of chocolates and recounts his life story to strangers. The movie’s opening feather sequence also passes through the city’s historic squares. The bench itself was a movie prop and was removed after filming, although a prop bench is now displayed at the Savannah History Museum.

6

Madison, Indiana: Some Came Running

Madison, Indiana became a temporary Hollywood set in 1958 when it served as the primary filming location for the star-studded drama Some Came Running. The movie starred Frank Sinatra as Dave Hirsh , Shirley MacLaine as Ginny Moorehead, and Dean Martin as Bama Dillert.

Directed by Vincente Minnelli, the MGM film was based on James Jones’s novel and used Madison to portray the fictional town of Parkman, Indiana. Much of the movie was filmed in and around Madison, including its streets, homes, and businesses.

7

Rome, Georgia: Remember the Titans

Rome, Georgia, stepped into the cinematic spotlight by serving as a backdrop for the 2000 inspirational sports film Remember the Titans .

Specifically, Berry College in Rome provided the setting for the football team’s training camp. The college’s Ford Buildings, Old Mill, Oak Hill, and surrounding forest all appeared in the film. Fans can still recognize parts of the picturesque campus on screen, which was also used for other productions, including Sweet Home Alabama and Stranger Things .

8

Berlin, Maryland: Runaway Bride

Berlin, Maryland, stood in for the fictional town of Hale in the 1999 romantic comedy Runaway Bride , starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Three weeks of filming in 1998 were estimated to have brought as much as $1 million into the local economy, while the movie’s publicity helped drive a major increase in tourism.

Downtown shops along Main Street—including a local store turned into a bridal boutique and the historic Atlantic Hotel—served as key backdrops. The hotel also became especially associated with Richard Gere, with Room 20 now known as the "Richard Gere Room."

9

Franklin, Tennessee: Hannah Montana: The Movie

Franklin, Tennessee, became famous on screen as a key filming location for the 2009 Disney hit Hannah Montana: The Movi e, starring Miley Cyrus as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana in the role she originated on Disney’s wildly popular TV show.

Among the on-screen highlights in this town, Franklin High School stood in for the fictional Seaview High School, where Miley and Lily (Emily Osment) attend classes. CoolSprings Galleria’s Belk Department Store was also used for a memorable shoe-store scene featuring Hannah and Tyra Banks. The historic downtown area also appears in several scenes, giving the movie a distinctly Tennesseean backdrop.

10

Libby, Montana: The Revenant

Although the movie was filmed in several locations (including the remote wilderness of Canada and south of Argentina), Libby, Montana became a crucial backdrop for the 2015 Oscar-winning epic The Revenant , capturing one of the film’s most gripping and intense sequences.

The specific location used near Libby is Kootenai Falls, one of the largest free-flowing, undammed waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest. In the film, Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) desperately escapes an ambush by a party of pursuing Arikara warriors. He throws himself into the churning rapids and is violently swept downstream before plunging straight over the edge of a massive waterfall. The sequence took 10 full days to film on location.