The 20 most popular people in the United States

Global public opinion and data company YouGov has a running survey on the most popular people in the United States. The list includes Hollywood celebrities, living and dead, as well as singers. As you may imagine, politicians didn’t make the cut. Popularity is defined as the percentage of adults who have a positive opinion of a person. Can you guess who might be on the list?! The survey was taken in the final months of 2023.

This feisty comic actor is liked by 73% of Americans… and somehow disliked by 6%. He is also more liked by men than women, but the love for him has been increasing in recent years.

73% of Americans say they hold a positive opinion of this actor who is already well into his 90s. The critics love him too. He’s won three Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, and a Grammy.

The handsome actor has just broke onto the list, with more people liking him than in the third quarter of 2023. He is liked by 74% of those surveyed.

The first Canadian on this list, this beloved actor has publicly shared his struggles with Parkinson's Disease and even heads a powerful foundation finding new ways to fight the disease. But the survey drops him down to number 17 from number three the previous quarter.

This 69-year-old Hong Kong actor, director, writer, producer and martial artist also just broke onto the list at the end of 2023.

This ‘Indiana Jones’ actor is one of the most popular, with a 74% approval rating. However, his popularity has slipped quite a bit since the previous quarter.

The Academy-Award-winning actor is liked by 74% of Americans — no small feat in such a polarized nation. Overall, he is more liked by men than women. With 78% of men saying they are fans.

The self-dubbed 'OG Nepo Baby,' this actress, advocate and activia yogurt promoter is loved by 74% of Americans polled, taking the spot of Ryan Reynolds.

The action star shot onto the list this quarter, taking the place of Stevie Wonder, who got booted off the list. He is liked by 75% of Americans.

Despite his somewhat divisive view on gun control, 76% of Americans say they have a favorable view of this legendary actor. He is generally most popular among men and Gen X.

Known as one of the nicest actors in Hollywood, this Canadian star of ‘The Matrix’ has gotten a lot of love over the years. He has 77% approval and is only disliked by 5% of those who know of him (which is pretty much everyone).

Even though she passed away on New Year’s Eve 2021 at the age of 99, Betty White still has a special place in the hearts of Americans. Beloved by all the generations, though she slipped from number two to eight in a couple of months.

This actress who has gone through some recent public struggles (getting cheated on by one husband and then watching the next die of ALS) has a lot of love from Americans. Now, 77% say they like her, a figure that’s been increasing.

Dolly Parton has been hailed as one of the figures that bridges the political divide and is loved by both Republicans and Democrats alike. She has a 77% popularity rating and is the most beloved country artist.

The ‘Forest Gump’ actor is also liked by 748 of Americans. In a separate survey, Tom Hanks was the most popular of Baby Boomers when they answered “In the movie of my life, I’d be played by…”

This award-winning actor is also liked by 79% of American adults. His biggest fans form part of the Baby Boomers, who have him at number one!

‘Die Hard’ actor Bruce Willis is ranked number 20 on the list, with a popularity score of 80%. He's moving up fast in the list, as in the previous survey he was number 20.

“Get these mother eff-in snakes off this mother eff-in plane!!” Of course, America loves this legendary actor, who has a 80% approval rating and some of the most iconic quotes in American cinema. He is especially loved by Millenials.

Would you have guessed that Morgan Freeman was number one!? That’s right, he is viewed favorably by 80% of respondents and came in at the at least two surveys in a row! His is a comeback story as his popularity dropped to 71% in 2018 after some allegations of harrassment.