Most famous person worldwide who isn't (that) famous in America

[morgieb]

A better thread title would be the most famous person worldwide that isn't famous in America or a sportsman IMO.

I think Messi/Ronaldo/etc. would be a better fit than Tendulkar, because soccer has far more universal appeal than cricket.

[morgieb]

Kylie Minogue?

Maybe for non soccer players. But I think soccer players are on the right track, as soccer is probably the largest cultural institution in the world that isn't big in the US.

Hmm, yeah. Kylie fits the bill for non-American gays.

I'm vaguely surprised the children on here know who Kylie Minogue was. (Obviously, men my generation don't have to be gay to remember her!)

Some of us come of the same country that Kylie did

[morgieb]

I thought auto racing was popular in the US? Or perhaps that's just NASCAR?

Yeah. I doubt F1 is taken seriously outside of Europe.

[morgieb]

Kylie Minogue?

Maybe for non soccer players. But I think soccer players are on the right track, as soccer is probably the largest cultural institution in the world that isn't big in the US.

Hmm, yeah. Kylie fits the bill for non-American gays.

I'm vaguely surprised the children on here know who Kylie Minogue was. (Obviously, men my generation don't have to be gay to remember her!)

I believe I have admitted to my infatuation with her in the past (many years ago, to be honest). I happen to enjoy "gay music". Why should it only be the gays that enjoy upbeat pop music?

If anything the straights should like Kylie. She's a stunner, particularly given her age.

[morgieb]

Yeah, they don't really count for "famous worldwide" questions, though.

Another direction to maybe look would be Michael Schumacher.

Who is Michael Schumacher? 

You might have a winner.  I've heard of most of those players, even though I don't follow soccer very closely (except for my son's team).  I've heard of the Indian actors, but then I do watch Indian movies.  I haven't heard of Sachin Tendlukar, though.  Maybe he's not in any of the Bollywood movies I've seen. 

Of course we all remember Kylie Minogue.  Ever since I was about 20 years old she was pretty standard MTV fare, and I have to imagine that she is at least as well known as Culture Club.  (Although I'd probably have answered that she is an American, if asked.  Never put much thought into it.  I guess she's not, based on her mention in this thread, but I'll wager that she's from one of the anglophone countries anyway.) 

I've even heard the name Kate Bush.  I don't know what she does or where she's from, but I recall having heard that name, probably on this forum.  (Singer, maybe, or actor?  Could be a politician I suppose.)

Still, I don't think I've ever heard the name Michael Schumacher.  And I see that Phil claims not to have heard of him till recently, and Phil knows everything about The Beautiful Game, so I'm guessing that he's not a footballer.  I'd assume that he's either a famous German (or Austrian or Swiss) actor or singer or mass murderer.

Kate Bush is a singer, yeah.

Tendulkar isn't an actor. The only Americans who would know about him are those of West Indian or subcontinental origin I imagine.

And as others have said, Schumacher was a race car driver.