1

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill)

Image: superneox lightsaber

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)

Image: Colton Jones

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)

Image: Jon Tyson

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)

Image: Diego Marín

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)

Image: Yosuke Ota

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)

Image: Zane Burko

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

New York-style Pizza

Image: Alex Haney

Let’s start with a city synonymous with excellent pizza . New York-style pizza is an iconic variety, universally recognizable for its thin crust, delicious sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. Nothing says New York City as folding a mouth-watering slice and enjoying this delicacy while the sounds of "The City that Never Sleeps" seem to fade in the background.

New York style is remarkably similar to the Neapolitan style, an Italian recipe considered by many to be close to perfection . Many historians believe that Naples is the birthplace of pizza, so it seems almost poetic that what many consider to be the first truly American style was inspired by this iconic city.

2

Chicago-style pizza

Image: Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar

Unlike its New York City counterpart, the Windy City’s pizza has no Italian ancestor. While its exact origins are still debated, we do know that Chicago-style pizza was developed at some point between the 1920s and 1940s. However our Italian friends might feel about this style, the good people of Chicago proudly stand by this beloved deep-dish, high-edge cheesy treat.

One of the most interesting things about Chicago-style pizza is how it turns around the traditional way in which pizza ingredients are placed: Its chunky tomato sauce covers the copious amounts of cheese used. The result is a hearty and delicious meal , sought after by both locals and tourists alike.

3

Pepperoni

Image: Alan Hardman

While no one can deny that Italy is the birthplace of pizza, this delicious ingredient comes straight from America . Granted, it is a variation of the Italian salami invented by immigrants in New York City at the start of the 20th century, but it has grown to become one of the most iconic toppings associated with American pizza.

Pepperoni comes from " peperoni ," which is the Italian word for "bell peppers". This spicy sausage is fairly similar to the salamis from Southern Italy, like " salsiccia" or " soppressata ."

4

California style pizza

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This is one of the youngest entities on this list. In the 1980s, several California chefs simultaneously came up with a new idea for pizza: a pie that combines New York’s thin crust with traditional toppings from California cuisine. The result is known as the California-style pizza, an amalgamation of traditional characteristics and innovative new flavors .

Among the many toppings that might be included in this type of pizza, a few that particularly stand out are zucchini flowers, smoked salmon, eggs, and bacon. However, perhaps the most well-known contribution from this style is the now-iconic barbecue chicken pizza , created by chef Ed LaDou in 1985.

5

Detroit Style

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If Detroit-style pizza teaches us anything, is that pizza is delicious no matter which shape it’s in . Known for its characteristic rectangular shape, this variety’s crust resembles a typical focaccia , a type of Italian bread. It was created in the 1940s, allegedly invented in a former speakeasy at the corner of Six Mile Road and Conant Street.

Interestingly, the unusual shape of this delicious pizza is associated with Detroit’s impressive automotive industry. Many believe that the first pies of this style were baked in steel trays used in car factories, either as dripping pans or to hold small parts.

6

Famous Pizza Places

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In 1905, Italian immigrant Gennaro Lombardi opened the very first pizza restaurant in America, located in the heart of Manhattan. And while the still-operational Lombardi’s was the first American parlor, it certainly wasn’t the last. Let’s take a memento to recognize a few of the very best pizza places America has to offer.

If you are looking for an unusual yet unforgettable pie, you might want to visit Frank Pepe's in New Haven, Connecticut, and try their unique clam pizza, topped with olive oil, garlic, and freshly shucked clams. Should you want a nice deep-dish pizza, try the original Uno Pizzeria & Grill, which claims to be the birthplace of Chicago-style pizza . Or, if you want to stick with a classic, you can always visit Lombardi’s and try their 119-year-old recipe.

7

Hawaiian pizza

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The origins of this pizza are controversial , and almost as divisive as this peculiar flavor is. For starters, let’s start with the elephant in the room: This pizza was not invented in America. It was created by Sam Panopoulos, a Greek-born Canadian cook who wished to experiment with sweet and savory flavors and decided to try adding bits of pineapple to a ham pizza.

However, this pizza is named after America’s 50th state for a reason, since pineapples are probably Hawaii’s most iconic product . In fact, Panopoulos named his creation after the brand of canned pineapple he was using at the time. In any case, the matter of whether Hawaiian pizza was a hit or a miss is still debatable. Some praise its unique taste, while others openly loathe it.

8

Pizza Chains

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After the American public was introduced to it in the 20th century, pizza unsurprisingly became an extremely profitable consumer good. In the 1960s, many now-massive pizza chains came into existence, providing the market with a massively popular and easily produced fast food.

Just to name a few, brands like Pizza Hut, Domino’s or Little Caesar’s became household names in no time. Besides their massive success and worldwide locations, these pizza chains share a common characteristic: they all started as small businesses, that eventually became beloved behemoths through hard work and resilience.

9

Tomato pie

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Just like with Hawaiian pizza, prepare for a controversial subject , which can be summed up into a single, self-contained question: Are tomato pies pizzas? Let’s see the arguments for both sides. On one hand, tomato pies are usually not served straight from the oven, and in some areas, they are even completely cheeseless. On the other, we can take an "if it looks like a duck" mentality regarding tomato pies: If they look like pizza and taste like pizza, then how can we consider them anything else but pizza?

In any case, whatever classification this tasty treat might fall into, it should be said that tomato pies are a must-try delicacy while visiting the Northeastern United States. They are also known as bakery pizza and church pie in Rhode Island and Philadelphia.

10

Pizza Delivery

Image: Rowan Freeman

The history of pizza wouldn’t be complete without the advent of this game-changing innovation. Deliveries allowed us to enjoy all the cheesy goodness of pizza in the comfort and convenience of our homes. A lot could be said about the unsung heroes who made pizza and movie nights possible, so we’ll pay tribute to them by retelling two turning points in pizza delivery history.

In 1994, Pizza Hut made history by launching the very first viable online ordering system. While primitive, this service registered thousands of orders: To this date, Pizza Hut claims that the very first online purchase ever was a Pizza Hut pizza. Not content with this record, in 2001 Pizza Hut decided to go against "the Final Frontier" and delivered a salami pizza to the International Space Station, the very first pizza successfully delivered to outer space.

1

Marlon Brando vs. Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando are names that hardly go unnoticed anywhere in the world. These stars of music and cinema crossed paths during the filming of Guys and Dolls in 1955, and it didn’t take long for a clash of egos. Brando’s method-acting style often conflicted with Sinatra’s more traditional approach, while Sinatra saw Brando’s performance as pure pretension. Their very different ways of thinking and working led to a long-standing animosity that lasted for years and, according to some sources, included everything from insults to threats.

2

Betty White vs. Bea Arthur

It’s hard to believe that these two women, who played best friends on The Golden Girls (1985-1992), couldn’t stand each other in real life. Apparently, Bea Arthur, who was more reserved, was often irritated by Betty White’s cheerful, outgoing humor. According to people who worked on the set, the two actresses didn’t get along at all, but they remained totally professional, and we have to admit that, on this side of the screen, you’d never know it.

3

Joan Crawford vs. Bette Davis

Joan Crawford and Bette Davis were divas of Hollywood’s Golden Age, both highly successful and Oscar winners. Ironically, it was their similarities that led to one of the most famous feuds in the industry, as professional competition slowly turned into personal resentment. In 1962, they finally worked together on What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? , and according to reports, fights, insults, pranks, and even acts of sabotage were constant throughout filming.

4

Debbie Reynolds vs. Elizabeth Taylor

Love triangles don’t exist only in fiction. And that’s what happened between Debbie Reynolds and Elizabeth Taylor. The two were close friends before Elizabeth had an affair with Debbie’s husband, singer Eddie Fisher. The scandal ended Reynolds’ marriage in the late 1950s and dominated headlines and magazine covers.

Surprisingly, it didn’t end there. Years later, Reynolds reached out, and the two actresses reconciled. Their bond was sealed when they worked together on These Old Broads (2001), a comedy written by Carrie Fisher, one of the daughters Reynolds had with Eddie Fisher.

5

Johnny Carson vs. Joan Rivers

American late-night television wouldn’t be the same without Johnny Carson and Joan Rivers. Carson was the king of TV, hosting The Tonight Show for 30 years, while Rivers was a frequent guest host. Their friendship ended when Rivers accepted her own competing show on Fox. Carson reportedly never forgave her and banned her from The Tonight Show for the rest of his life.

6

Sylvester Stallone vs. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger are undeniable icons of action cinema, which boomed in the 1980s and 1990s. But the battles weren’t just on screen; they spilled into real life. The two actors developed a long-running rivalry fueled by intense professional competition to be seen as the ultimate action star and land the biggest roles. They often criticized each other on TV and clashed at public events, but over the years, tensions eased, and these rivals eventually became close friends.

7

Madonna vs. Elton John

The music world is not immune to feuds. In fact, one of the most famous rivalries unfolded in pop music between two giants of the genre: Madonna and Elton John. The fight began in the early 2000s, when Elton publicly criticized the Queen of Pop, accusing her of lip-syncing. Although the tension lasted for years, there is good news: in 2025, the British singer apologized to Madonna, and the two reconciled, announcing it in a post on her Instagram.

8

Richard Gere vs. Sylvester Stallone

The Terminator wasn’t Stallone’s only rival. The star of Rocky also had a major feud with Richard Gere that nearly turned into a real fistfight. Tension began while filming The Lords of Flatbush (1974), when Stallone reportedly felt Gere was showing off in his role and openly criticized him. Things boiled over during a lunch break in a car, when Gere splashed mustard on Stallone, who reacted by elbowing him and throwing him out of the vehicle. The incident ultimately led to Gere being let go from the film.

9

Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird

Two NBA superstars collided in the 1980s. We’re talking about Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, who had different playing styles and approaches to the game and were constantly compared by the press and the public. This intense on-court rivalry eventually jumped off the court, creating real personal tension between them. Over time, however, both stars lowered their guard, grew closer, and ultimately formed a strong friendship.

10

Sarah Jessica Parker vs. Kim Cattrall

Although Carrie and Samantha were best friends on Sex and the City , the actresses behind them didn’t share that bond in real life. The rivalry reportedly began during filming, as they never got along. Kim Cattrall openly criticized the pay gap between Sarah Jessica Parker and the rest of the cast, and these professional tensions gradually turned personal. Cattrall later stated, "We were never friends," and after the series ended, their relationship did not improve.