8 real faces hidden behind famous icons

Uncle Sam, the NBA guy, and Zorro have become icons all over the world. But they are not just famous faces. Let's take a look at these and other famous icons that influenced us, and see what they were based on and where they are today.

We found 8 stories of people who became icons, and we realized that we didn't even know their real names.

8 PHOTOS

1. Naomi Parker Frehley and Rosie the Riveter.

This poster is recognized all over the world. Rosie the Riveter is a World War II cultural icon representing women who worked in factories and shipyards. The real person's name was not known until 2011 when she finally told her story.

2. Samuel Wilson and Uncle Sam.

All-American Uncle Sam is a symbol of patriotism and the personification of the United States government. Legend has it that the real man's name was Samuel Wilson, and he was a meat packer from New York.

3. Helen Kane and Betty Boop.

People from all over the world probably know this hero. Betty Boop is a cartoon character created by Max Fleischer and the animation team. She was originally a caricature of Helen Kane.

4. Joaquin Murieta and Zorro.

The Zorro character is most often associated with the historical figure Joaquin Murieta. It is also called the Robin Hood of the West.

5. NBA logo and Jerry West.

In 1969, Alan Siegel designed the NBA logo that is used today. Not many of us know that this icon was inspired by the silhouette of the legendary Jerry West, based on a photograph by Vienna Roberts.

6. Joker and Konrad Veidt.

The Joker appeared in 1940 and was created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson. There has been a lot of discussion about this character. The Finger, Kane, and Robinson versions confirm that Finger created the character of Konrad Veidt as Guinplein, a man with a disfigured face and a permanent smile in the 1928 film The Man Who Laughs. His image became the inspiration for the appearance of the Joker.

7. Ronald McDonald and Willard Scott.

Initially, the image of Ronald McDonald was created by actor Willard Scott. From 1963 to 1966, he regularly performed the role of a clown for the McDonald's franchise in Washington DC.

8. Iron Man and Howard Hughes.

Hero Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man, was inspired by Howard Hughes, who was an eccentric inventor and adventurer. Stan Lee honestly admitted that he modeled the image of Tony after Hughes.