America

American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures 

Mike Rothschild
Originally by
Updated April 14, 2020 233.9k votes 13.8k voters 59.2k views 574 items

List Rules 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.

If you can think of other broadly popular Americans who qualify as national treasures for the people of the USA, feel free to add them to the list!

list ordered by
1
Tom Hanks is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
Age: 62

Birthplace: Concord, California, United States of America

Thomas Jeffrey Hanks (born July 9, 1956) is an American actor and filmmaker. Known for both his comedic and dramatic roles, Hanks is one of the most popular and recognizable film stars ...more

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2
James Earl Jones is listed (or ranked) 2 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 88

Birthplace: Arkabutla, Mississippi, United States of America

James Earl Jones (born January 17, 1931) is an American actor. His career has spanned more than seven decades, and he has been described as "one of America's most distinguished and ...more

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3
Betty White is listed (or ranked) 3 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
Age: 97

Birthplace: Oak Park, Illinois, United States of America

Betty Marion White Ludden (born January 17, 1922) is an American actress and comedian, with the longest television career of any entertainer, spanning 80 years. Regarded as a pioneer of ...more

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4
Tony Bennett is listed (or ranked) 4 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
Age: 92

Birthplace: Astoria, New York City, New York, United States of America

Anthony Dominick Benedetto (born August 3, 1926), known professionally as Tony Bennett, is an American singer of traditional pop standards, big band, show tunes, and jazz. He is also a painter, ...more

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5
Sally Field is listed (or ranked) 5 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 72

Birthplace: Pasadena, California, United States of America

Sally Margaret Field (born November 6, 1946) is an American actress and director. She is the recipient of various accolades, including two Academy Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden ...more

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6
Dolly Parton is listed (or ranked) 6 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 73

Birthplace: Tennessee, USA, Sevierville

Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian, known primarily for her ...more

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7
Carol Burnett is listed (or ranked) 7 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 82

Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, USA

Carol Creighton Burnett (born April 26, 1933) is an American actress, comedian, singer and writer, whose career spans seven decades of television. She is best known for her groundbreaking comedy ...more

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8
Angela Lansbury is listed (or ranked) 8 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 93

Birthplace: Poplar, London, United Kingdom

Dame Angela Brigid Lansbury (born October 16, 1925) is a British-American-Irish actress who has appeared in theatre, television, and film. Her career has spanned eight decades, much of it in the ...more

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9
Sylvester Stallone is listed (or ranked) 9 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 72

Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America

Sylvester Enzio Stallone (; born Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone, July 6, 1946) is an American actor, director, screenwriter, and producer. After his beginnings as a struggling actor for a ...more

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10
Stephen King is listed (or ranked) 10 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 71

Birthplace: Portland, Maine, United States of America

Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy. His books have sold more than 350 million copies, many of which ...more

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11
Tina Turner is listed (or ranked) 11 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 79

Birthplace: Nutbush, Tennessee, United States of America

Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock, November 26, 1939) is an internationally recognized singer, songwriter, and actress. She is originally from the United States, and has been a Swiss citizen ...more

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12
Michael Keaton is listed (or ranked) 12 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 67

Birthplace: Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Michael John Douglas (born September 5, 1951), known professionally as Michael Keaton, is an American actor, producer, and director. He first rose to fame for his roles on the CBS sitcoms All's ...more

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13
Cheryl Ladd is listed (or ranked) 13 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 67

Birthplace: Huron, South Dakota, United States of America

Cheryl Ladd (born Cheryl Jean Stoppelmoor; July 12, 1951) is an American actress, singer and author best known for her role as Kris Munroe in the ABC television series Charlie's Angels in which ...more

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14
Jane Seymour is listed (or ranked) 14 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 68

Birthplace: Hayes, Hillingdon, United Kingdom

Jane Seymour, OBE (born 15 February 1951), is an English-American actress, best known for her performances in the James Bond film Live and Let Die (1973); Somewhere In Time (1980); East of Eden ...more

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15
Judy Sheindlin is listed (or ranked) 15 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 76

Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America

Judith Susan Sheindlin (née Blum; October 21, 1942), known professionally as Judge Judy, is an American prosecution lawyer, former Manhattan family court judge, television personality, ...more

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16
Bruce Springsteen is listed (or ranked) 16 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 69

Birthplace: Long Branch, New Jersey, USA

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17
Jane Fonda is listed (or ranked) 17 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 81

Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America

Jane Seymour Fonda (born December 21, 1937) is an American actress, political activist and former fashion model. She is the recipient of various accolades including two Academy Awards, two BAFTA ...more

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18
Bob Barker is listed (or ranked) 18 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
Age: 95

Birthplace: Darrington, Washington, United States of America

Robert William Barker (born December 12, 1923) is a retired American television game show host. He is known for hosting CBS's The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007, making it the longest-running ...more

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19
Roberta Flack is listed (or ranked) 19 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 80

Birthplace: Black Mountain, North Carolina, United States of America

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20
Bill Nye is listed (or ranked) 20 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
Age: 63

Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States of America

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21
Gloria Gaynor is listed (or ranked) 21 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 69

Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States of America

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22
Ron Howard is listed (or ranked) 22 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 64

Birthplace: Duncan, Oklahoma, United States of America

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23
Michael Jordan is listed (or ranked) 23 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
Age: 56

Birthplace: New York City, New York

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24
Patrick Stewart is listed (or ranked) 24 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
ColinBoddy added Age: 78

Birthplace: Mirfield, United Kingdom

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25
Bill Murray is listed (or ranked) 25 on the list American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures
Age: 68

Birthplace: Wilmette, Illinois, United States of America

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