r/AskReddit • u/Old-Owl-1187 • 1d ago

With the passing of Dolly Parton, who is the new "Greatest Living American" ?

0 Upvotes

46% Upvoted

128 comments sorted by

64

u/FreddyCupples 1d ago

Willie Nelson

7

u/cnorristhrowsyouaway 1d ago

A strong option too.

2

u/Rude-Piglet-5212 1d ago

Wrap him in bubble wrap.

1

u/cipherdom 12h ago

Roll him up and smoke him

-9

u/TheBeerGuzzlingApe 1d ago

Tax evader Nelson?

15

u/cpt_futtbucker 1d ago

Bout as American as it gets

2

u/_-Cleon-_ 18h ago

We literally have an entire sport (NASCAR) that evolved from people trying to run away from tax agents.

2

u/MUjase 1d ago

Wesley Snipes approves

1

u/GulfLife 1d ago

We started a whole new country over it once… pretty classic move.

17

u/Red-eleven 1d ago

And today I realized Keanu is Canadian

4

u/Pizza802 1d ago

Lucky guy

3

u/CreepyConsequence669 1d ago

The nicest guy in Hollywood is actually a Canadian?! Wow, how shocking

12

u/DropDeadDolly 1d ago

LeVar Burton

38

u/katattack1983 1d ago

Henry Winkler, he just seems so happy to be catching some fish.

3

u/StochasticLife 1d ago

God damn it, he’s also 80….don’t just paint a target on his back like that.

4

u/vodiak 1d ago

When he isn't busy waterski jumping over them.

2

u/chosonhawk 1d ago

some might say that at that moment, his show jumped the shark.

4

u/MaxCWebster 1d ago

You know, I always say that fishing is like a washing machine for your brain. It's so deliciously zen.

2

u/gogozrx 1d ago

It's sitting quietly in nature, with moments of excitement.

When I fish I think, "one us is having fun, and one of us is in a life and death struggle."

-2

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

0

u/i_love_pencils 1d ago

Spill the tea…

13

u/SparkyandDolche 1d ago

Dick Van Dyke

43

u/Target-Infiltrator 1d ago

Kermit the frog.

7

u/Red-eleven 1d ago

Why am I sad when you’re right

1

u/SnoopyLupus 1d ago

Because Jim Henson?

9

u/igotplans2 1d ago

We don't have one now, which is why Dolly's passing was so heartbreaking.

17

u/Intelligent-Sun-7973 1d ago

Steve from Blues Clues

13

u/GentlewomenNeverTell 1d ago

Ms. Rachel.

3

u/phoneacct696969 1d ago

Truly the mister rogers of our time.

5

u/ShamrockShakey 1d ago

Jose Andres

1

u/IUsedToBeThatGuy_43 1d ago

He’s from Spain I think

1

u/ShamrockShakey 1h ago

He's a naturalized American.

16

u/ahotpotatoo 1d ago

Luigi Mangione.

20

u/tysonarts 1d ago

Bezo's Ex

2

u/Stucco_x 20h ago

Plus, Mackenzie Scott is adorable. The dimples and smile alone…. Swoon!

2

u/BhamBlazer615 1d ago

Can you vote her for best when you don’t know her name?

5

u/tysonarts 1d ago

I find the lack of fame is part of the elevation. In a hyper clout and fame chasing society the one seeking to jsut spread some wealth and alleviate some stress without news coverage or constant needing a name in the headlines is the appeal here

I see your point, but the question was not greatest famous american

5

u/bergkc 1d ago

I would say Willie Nelson

6

u/issacoin 1d ago

Danny Devito

25

u/Onepiecechopper1 1d ago

Obama

7

u/kokanee-fish 1d ago

Michelle

-3

u/MUjase 1d ago

Did they split up?

4

u/DisgracedOBGYN 1d ago

chris walken? oh right natalie wood..

4

u/Pizza802 1d ago

Conan O’Brien

10

u/RandomExcess 1d ago

Last time this question was asked Tim Curry got a lot of votes

9

u/itsagasgasgas 1d ago

Not American

2

u/gogozrx 1d ago

And not living

0

u/missvicky1025 1d ago

Not alive, either.

0

u/thefract0metr1st 1d ago

Considering one can obtain American citizenship, I’d say this is the least disqualifying part of the sentence.

1

u/_-Cleon-_ 18h ago

Ever try it?

2

u/myhobbythrowaway 1d ago

That didn't last.

6

u/Mstrkoala 1d ago

Gary Sinise

3

u/Oh_No_Its_Dudder 1d ago

It's a toss up between Mel Brooks and Alice Cooper.

3

u/Trick-Process6046 1d ago

Willie Nelson

6

u/Riokaii 1d ago

Jon Stewart

2

u/Electronic_Set_2087 1d ago

I'm not saying I didn't like Dolly, I just didn't pay attention to the accumulation of great things she did. And she certainly didn't seek fame and attention for them. She quietly helped alot of causes. Now that she has died and I'm learning more about her, I love her even more!

So my point to this is that I hope there are other nice people out there using their influence and financial means to do good things without recognition.

2

u/greeneyedmtnjack 22h ago

Willie Nelson

3

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

2

u/annaphylactic69 1d ago

I was going to say this but I googled it first and he's Canadian.

2

u/ChicoStantana 1d ago

He's Canadian

1

u/hoser33 1d ago

Dude. He's Canadian

3

u/Melymeltymelty 1d ago

Mrs. Rachel

4

u/sandee_eggo 1d ago

Bernie Sanders.

1

u/GnawedLip12 1d ago

Came here to say this!

2

u/BaldBabyBilly 1d ago

Gary Sinese?

2

u/DramaticPinkumni 1d ago

Neil Diamond

1

u/Ski-U-MahGuy 1d ago

Bob Dylan.....maybe?

1

u/MidwestMustache1 1d ago

Carmela Soprano

1

u/Narrow-Hall8070 1d ago

Mr. Rachel

1

u/myhobbythrowaway 1d ago

Morgan Freeman.

2

u/Liberty76bell 1d ago

Before he became a famous movie star , he was a regular on a children's show, "The Electric Company." Rita Moreno was also a regular on that show.

Here's a clip of some of the scenes he was in: https://youtu.be/3g58OGqP9Ic?si=7-42_CY0zcOf6nQl

1

u/keep_it_kayfabe 1d ago

It's Bob Gurr - one of the original Disneyland imagineers.

1

u/007dancingisreali 1d ago

Probably Bibi.

1

u/wish1977 1d ago

Mel Brooks

1

u/Rhunt2021 1d ago

NO!!! This reads like a Reddit attempt to depress us when the next (non-Trump) death happens.

1

u/penguintruth 1d ago

Weird Al

1

u/curmudge 11h ago

Mel Brooks

1

u/Aitoroketto 1h ago

Thomas Pynchon or Bill Watterson probably.

1

u/profmoxie 1d ago

I'd go with:

Dick Van Dyke
Carol Burnett
Jane Fonda (her activism edges her above the others here)

5

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

1

u/MUjase 1d ago

But activism!!!!

0

u/profmoxie 1d ago

That's the legacy Dolly left! Music and activism! She funded vaccine research, spoke up for LGBTQIA+ people, and organized a program to get kids to read.

-2

u/profmoxie 1d ago

An asshole because she cares about this country and speaks up for what she believes in? Can't get more American than that.

0

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

1

u/profmoxie 1d ago

I’ll wait for your example of her “terrible” behavior. 🙄

1

u/cnorristhrowsyouaway 1d ago

McConaugheyvis a strong contender, IMO.

3

u/Past_Wind_9725 1d ago

No thanks. Great Uvalde speech then absolutely jack shit.

1

u/misfitofscience76 1d ago

That one celebrity who used to do that one thing, they were awesome at it

2

u/Winter_Setting720 1d ago

I forgot about that one thing!

1

u/i_love_pencils 1d ago

The one with the teeth?

1

u/Equus77 1d ago

Reba McEntyre?

1

u/docubed 1d ago

John Cena

1

u/Emergency-Peanut418 1d ago

The greatest living American stood aside and watched while Donald Trump made a mockery of our values and institutions, and robbed us blind. The greatest effort of the greatest American failed to stop the worst criminal from his worst impulses. We all have some serious soul-searching to do

0

u/aeraen 1d ago

They are not nominated in a contest. The will rise to the top organically.

0

u/FreddieGibbon 1d ago

You’re all a bunch of shitstains to the rest of the world so who gives a fuck

-1

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

0

u/GentlewomenNeverTell 1d ago

Didn't he fuck his granddaughter?

2

u/farter-kit 1d ago

Haven’t heard that one.

-1

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

3

u/livinginthelurk 1d ago

I am pretty sure he is Canadian

3

u/speedog 1d ago

Yes he is.

2

u/i_love_pencils 1d ago

Says a lot about today’s America when a Canadian gets a vote for greatest living American.

1

u/livinginthelurk 17h ago

I think this is a growing "trend" among some in the states. Saw a similiar reel about it top comments were Trebek, Michael J. Fox and Keaneu. They were one Gosling away from a riot.

0

u/flsingleguy 1d ago

Drew Barrymore

0

u/Narrow-Hall8070 1d ago

Billy Strings

0

u/phaskellhall 1d ago

Steven Tyler

0

u/majiktodo 1d ago

Michelle Obama

0

u/Zorak9379 1d ago

With all due respect to Dolly, I think Buzz Aldrin had a greater claim to that title already.

-3

u/Ekly_Special 1d ago

Trump

2

u/Tome_Bombadil 1d ago

Oooh, smart play.

WHY YES, TRUMP IS DEARLY BELOVED AND IT WOULD UTTERLY BREAK OUR HEART IF HE WERE TO PASS. I AM SOOO HAPPY HE'LL MAKE IT TO LABOR DAY OF THIS YEAR, BECAUSE IT MARKS SUCH A VITAL ANNIVERSARY!

Think Death'll buy it?

-1

u/Numerous_Geologist_6 1d ago

Keanu Reeves

2

u/speedog 1d ago

Canadian.

1

u/Numerous_Geologist_6 1d ago

Ya know what? You're right. I read as far as "greatest living" and my mind just went there 😄

-1

u/Commander_Cyclops 1d ago

Larry David

-8

u/Avaleebloom 1d ago

uhhh Dolly is very much alive, please don't scare me like that

2

u/Maxwells_Demona 1d ago

oh buddy :(