Buzz
When a person reaches such legendary fame that we think we know everything about them, it's easy to believe we also know their likes and dislikes. Imagine claiming that Mozart would prefer polka music to other styles, only to learn that he was actually a fan of it. While that might sound odd, some of the revelations here are just as surprising.
10. Adolf Hitler
The Fuhrer, much like any figure so renowned and analyzed that they cast an immense shadow over their era, was found to have a number of peculiarities. Yet, his fervent German nationalism (despite his Austrian heritage) is so firmly entrenched that one would assume it would completely define his early years, right?
An Unexpected Enthusiast Of: American Western Films
Hitler wasn't the only one in the Third Reich to enjoy the Western genre; it was quite popular in Austria and Germany during his youth. However, no one had quite the same passion for Westerns as Hitler. He also indulged in the semi-American Western tales by Karl May, who himself was German, including books like Ride Across the Desert. It's easy to picture Hitler viewing himself as a superhuman figure, a Teuton destined to guide his adopted country to greatness, imagining himself as a heroic general. But imagining him as a cowboy? That's a lot harder to fathom.
9. Elvis Presley
Even thirty-seven years after his passing, Elvis Presley remains such a cultural icon that he holds the record for the most number one songs in the United Kingdom, not to mention his immense influence in the United States. His fanbase is so devoted that someone once purchased one of his warts. He is the embodiment of Americana, characterized by his dynamic energy, confidence, and flamboyance.
An Unexpected Admirer Of: Monty Python
Although Elvis's later years were marked by erratic behavior, his tastes seemed to diverge from the chaos of Monty Python's sketches and films. Yet, the infamous “Nudge Nudge” sketch by Eric Idle was one of The King’s favorites, often quoting it casually and referring to people as “Squire.” In the realm of American fans, Presley was ahead of the curve. Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin referred to Presley as “the first Python fan I ever knew.” It’s unfortunate that his death in 1977 meant he never got to experience Life of Brian, which is widely regarded as Monty Python's greatest work.
8. Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock was one of the few directors in his era who could guarantee a hit simply by attaching his name to a movie. The timeless appeal of Hitchcock’s films is so strong that a remake of his classic movie *The Birds* was announced in March 2014, with Michael Bay producing. His iconic films like *Vertigo*, *Rebecca*, *North By Northwest*, and *Psycho* represent the perfect fusion of elegance, directorial mastery, and thrilling excitement.
An Unexpected Admirer Of: Russ Meyer
Russ Meyer was known for creating notorious exploitation B-movies like *Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!* and *Supervixens*, which were packed with exaggerated violence and outrageous sexuality. John Waters once described the women in his films as acting like “female female impersonators.” Despite this, Hitchcock was reportedly an enormous fan of Meyer’s work. He especially adored *Supervixens* to the point that, after watching it, he summoned star Charles Napier to his office to offer him a contract with Universal Studios and handed him a $5,000 check right then and there. Now that's dedication to a film—how many fans would go to such lengths?
7. Walt Disney
Even in his earliest projects, Walt Disney was a traditionalist. His most notable achievements were family-friendly reinterpretations of stories that were often decades or even centuries old. In other words, he was as conventional as a major media mogul could get.
An Unexpected Enthusiast Of: Salvador Dali
Disney was far more than just a casual admirer of Salvador Dali. Much like Hitchcock, he was prepared to put his money where his admiration was. In 1945, long after Dali had cemented his reputation as an artist who would attend exhibitions in a diving suit or with glass cases attached to his chest, Disney commissioned a short film from Dali called Destino. As Disney himself put it, “I want to give big artists such opportunities.” Unfortunately, Destino was abandoned due to legal issues, halting the collaboration before it could fully take off. However, a later version of Destino was eventually completed and released in 2003.
6. Stanley Kubrick
With 13 films spanning a wide range of genres, many of which have become enduring classics, Stanley Kubrick is regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in cinema history. Known for his intellectual and detached approach to filmmaking, Kubrick’s work continues to be appreciated even half a century later. He set incredibly high standards for the industry and had a deep respect for other masters of the craft.
An Unexpected Admirer Of: White Men Can’t Jump
White Men Can’t Jump, for those of you who may not be familiar, was a rather unremarkable 1992 buddy comedy, probably best known for Dave Chappelle’s nod to it in Robin Hood: Men in Tights. What someone like the director of Dr. Strangelove and Full Metal Jacket saw in this film about basketball hustlers breaking racial barriers remains a mystery. This peculiar inclusion of the film on his list of favorite movies, among more prestigious choices like Cries & Whispers and Rashomon, only adds to its charm.
5. Johnny Knoxville
Johnny Knoxville, the star of Jackass, Jackass: The Movie, Jackass 3D, and Bad Grandpa, is one of the most commercially successful celebrities in the world. The image we typically have of him involves walking a tightrope over alligators and portraying a mischievous grandpa. While he may not be on the same level as Kubrick, that’s the nature of show business.
An Unexpected Fan Of: Cinema Paradiso
Winner of the 1989 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, Cinema Paradiso tells the story of an Italian child who develops a passion for movies through his friendship with a local theater owner. The film is especially famous for a montage of kisses from classic films that were initially censored by the local priest. As far removed from Knoxville’s typical work as Kubrick’s involvement with White Men Can’t Jump was, Knoxville considers this film to be one of his favorites.
4. Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin's theory of descent with modification made him one of the most debated figures of the 19th century, despite his rather quiet and reserved character. He was someone who published works on subjects as seemingly mundane as barnacles and earthworms. His approach to science, detached and academic, was in stark contrast to the revolutionary nature of his ideas.
A Surprising Fan Of: Wanderings in South America
Charles Waterton's Wanderings in South America details his strange and adventurous experiences on the continent. Among his tales, he recounts an attempt to entice a bat to bite him by sleeping barefoot and the creation of a monster, inspired by the “Nondescript” legend, for his companions to encounter. These unconventional tales became, in an unexpected turn, a significant inspiration for Darwin’s own scientific journeys in South America.
It’s worth noting that Waterton was not a supporter of Darwin's theory of evolution. In fact, he went as far as to mock it by using taxidermy to craft his “Nondescript,” a satirical take on the idea of the “missing link” that Darwin proposed.
3. Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand is perhaps the most controversial modern writer, despite not holding any significant power. Her philosophy of Objectivism has, through the influence of figures like Alan Greenspan, been partly blamed for the 2008 economic recession in America. Her books are often criticized as being heavy, dull, and populated with unlikable characters. The most infamous part of her work is the lengthy monologue delivered by the messianic character John Galt in her 1958 novel, Atlas Shrugged, which stretches on for many pages in praise of self-interest.
A Surprising Fan Of: Charlie’s Angels
Rand's fondness for the campy '70s cop drama Charlie’s Angels wasn’t just a private guilty pleasure—she openly acknowledged it on national television. Her reasoning was that the show was “not realistic… it’s about three attractive girls who are better than so-called real life.” This personal preference sheds light on some of the more puzzling stylistic choices in her work. Rand's admiration for the show was so strong that she even envisioned Farrah Fawcett playing the role of Dagny Taggart in a film version of Atlas Shrugged. She went as far as to speak with Fawcett about the idea, a conversation that Fawcett herself found quite surreal.
2. Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart is the go-to actor for lending a sense of class to productions like X-Men and Conspiracy Theory. His portrayals of figures like Claudius in Hamlet and Sejanus in I, Claudius are prime examples of masterful villainy. Even when taking on more straightforward roles, such as Gurney Halleck in Dune, Stewart still manages to leave a lasting impression.
A Surprising Fan Of: Beavis & Butthead
While Beavis & Butthead is often praised for its satirical take on the MTV generation, Patrick Stewart’s fondness for the show goes beyond just its social commentary. As he has openly shared in interviews, he not only enjoys the show but also owns the complete series. Stewart has even been caught performing an impromptu impersonation of the characters with Liam Neeson, a moment that words can hardly capture.
1. Robert Crumb
Robert Crumb is considered by many to be one of the most controversial figures in the art world, often regarded as one of the great artists of the 20th century in the realm of comics. His work is infamous for its blend of Carl Barks-style cartoons, autobiographical pornographic fantasies, and a deep sense of misanthropy. Crumb’s life has been chronicled in several documentaries, his artwork commands prices reaching tens of thousands of dollars, and he continues to produce bestselling graphic novels.
A Surprising Fan Of: Titanic
Yes, that's the very same Titanic, the 1997 film by James Cameron that many in the counterculture scene love to despise. While it makes sense that someone who often mutters "God, I hate people" on camera might take pleasure in witnessing a thousand people perish in their massive display of arrogance, it’s surprising that such a sentimental PG-13 movie would resonate with him. It seems he couldn't stop talking about it for days after watching, and even Terry Zwigoff, director of the documentary about Crumb, was still puzzled by it more than ten years later.
