10. Michael Jackson
I don't know what that is, but it's not alive and it's not the Michael Jackson that we all loved in the early 80's.

9. Queen Elizabeth I
People always look at me strange when my lack of Texas history surfaces. But when you were learning about the Alamo, I was learning about Jamestown. The most important figure in Virginia history is Queen Elizabeth I. The more you learn about her, the more fascinated you will become.

8. Charles Alderton
A young pharmacist working at Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, TX, Alderton is believed to be the inventor of Dr. Pepper. He spent most of his time mixing up medicine for the people of Waco, but in his spare time he liked to serve carbonated drinks at the soda fountain. He loved the way the drug store smelled, with all of the fruit syrup flavor smells mixing together in the air. He decided to to create a drink that tasted like that smell. He kept a journal, and after numerous experiments he finally hit upon a mixture of fruit syrups that he liked. (From the Dr. Pepper Museum web site.)

7. Will Rogers
I had always been a bit fascinated by Will Rogers. Writer, Vaudeville performer, actor and much, much more...Rogers led one of the most interesting lives I know of.

6. Phil Hartman
The passing of this funny man impacted so many things. Besides just being sad, it led to the eventual cancellation of News Radio, and of course the bit characters on The Simpsons will never be the same.

5. Groucho Marx
Groucho may just be one of the funniest people ever. His style of humor was intelligent, yet borderline childish at times.

4. Thomas Edison
Inventor of stuff. Without Edison, our world would be much different. Much of what he came up with would have been invented sooner or later, but just the volume of what he invented is impressive even today.

3. Jack Kirby
There's a good chance that this will be the "who's that" of this list. "King Jack" remains one of the most infuential figures in comics today. Kirby and Stan Lee basically created the Marvel universe, and Kirby's impact on the D.C. side of things is just as impressive.

2. John Lennon
I don't think I really need to explain this one. The Beatles rule, and Lennon was the greatest of 'em.

1. Jim Henson
The 'Muppet King' has appeared on many of my lists, so it should be no surprise to find him in the top slot. I consider Henson one of the most creative people of all-time, and I like that he did everything his way.