Reader's voice
Modern-day celebrities and historical figures have been selected for readers' rankings of the Bay State's most famous Native Americans.
Matt Damon (left) and John F. Kennedy (right) top readers' list of Massachusetts' most famous people.
Massachusetts has no shortage of stars. When Boston.com readers were asked to name the most famous people from the Bay State, he asked them to name nearly 50 actors, politicians, comedians, athletes, and more.
Despite the long list, Cambridge native Matt Damon has emerged to the top.
Damon also topped the list in Famouspeople.io's 2023 Fame Index report. In the eyes of a national audience, Bay Stater is the most famous star of “Good Will Hunting,” followed by Conan O'Brien, Kurt Russell, Mark Wahlberg and Barbara Walters.
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One reader said it was a “no brainer” to vote for Damon, while another said the multi-hyphenated A-lister has become synonymous with the region.
Of the 281 readers who responded to our survey, 28% voted for Damon, but there were many who had a different opinion. Because of Massachusetts' varied history, many readers argued that the title of Most Famous Bay Starter should be given to a historically significant figure rather than a celebrity.
“John Adams, Sam Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, etc…” a reader shared. “Who is the most famous person in the media? Maybe Matt Damon. But to say he's more famous than John Adams is just stupid. A big idiot.”
Ultimately, our readers' rankings of Massachusetts' most famous people include famous celebrities and notable historical figures. Below is a list of the top five names mentioned by our readers, why they deserve recognition, and a breakdown of how our readers voted.
5. Ben Affleck
“He's a Hollywood A-lister who represents Boston at every opportunity, and is frequently photographed in candid shots drinking nothing but Dunkin. What more is Boston than that?” ” — Noel B., Scituate
“He's a great actor and, in my opinion, stands out above the rest.” — Karen, Salisbury
“Ben has star power, but he loves Massachusetts so much that he made a donut commercial! He has a great sense of humor!” — Janet L., Western Massachusetts
4. John Adams
“The Founding Fathers played a pivotal role in the adoption of the Declaration of Independence as the second president and first vice president of the United States. How about an apple!” — Newton, Connecticut
“There is no country without John Adams.” — Anonymous, Medford
“Your list is too narrow to focus on modern television and film celebrities. John Adams, Cousin Samuel, Ben Franklin, Henry Knox, John Hancock, and others are among those who played a role in the birth of a new nation. contributed to.” — Quincy, John
3. Mark Wahlberg
“Because he's the face of Massachusetts in the acting industry. And his restaurant chain.” — Ken D., Worcester
“Mark and his family own a restaurant in Boston. I think he should be number one.” — Ivy F., Springfield
“Wahlberg has a real Boston accent.” — Frank R., Newport, Rhode Island
2. John F. Kennedy
“Anyone known only by his initials is the President of the United States, and the person still regularly mentioned and seen in video footage 60 years after his death is the most famous person from Massachusetts. Must.” — Rob M., Castle Pines, Colorado
“No other country has a school, road or aircraft carrier named after them.” — John T., Natick
“He is truly one of the most prominent world leaders in human history. But yeah, let's pick from the members of the Funky Bunch.” — Josh, Salem
“He made the decisions that determined the fate of our country, and he also wrote the script. Actors cannot be compared. They are ordinary people who have been blessed with good fortune.” — Joe, Weston
1. Matt Damon
“He went to my high school, and there's no controversy around him. He's a very humble, unassuming actor, and he's very well-respected when it comes to acting.” — Lady B., Cambridge
“He's smart, funny, and very approachable. As a celebrity, he's very down-to-earth. He speaks frankly, passionately, and logically about a variety of issues. When I think about Boston and Massachusetts, I think of MIT and Harvard. I think of JFK. But every time Boston comes up in a conversation, Matt Damon represents my view of Boston. Essentially. , he is synonymous with Massachusetts City and, of course, the state of Massachusetts.” — ETC, Singapore
“Matt Damon is classic Boston. He's educated, reserved, and classy.” — Philip W., Boston
“Over 25 years in the public eye. Since 'Good Will Hunting' was set in South Boston, Damon has become synonymous with the area.” — Christopher P., Holyoke
Boston.com may occasionally interact with our readers by conducting unofficial polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific measure of reader opinion.
