It's not really here or there, but when I was a young child, I saw Star Trek: The Next Generation before Reading Rainbow, so my parents had to explain how actors worked when I was baffled how the blind man was teaching me how to read.
I did love Reading Rainbow, though, and still read regularly, probably in part thanks to Levar Burton.
That's a great story! I was...maybe...11...when STTNG came out, so I had already seen RR prior. I was super excited to see an actor I knew appear on the show.
They're unapologetically weird, fiercely in love with each other, they support and love their children unconditionally, they're brutally honest with each other, including openly showing affection without giving a damn about what others may think of them. They're one of the best (fictional) examples of caring parents and lovers, and I will die on that hill.
I have this vague memory of an interview where this was being talked about and how showing them as kind, loving people with real emotions was somewhat controversial. If anyone knows what I am talking about please chime in.
Many know him as Ron Swanson from Parks & Rec, but that's a character. He's a dynamic actor, a hilarious comic, eloquent author, and an outstanding woodworker. I like his honesty and pragmaticism. I enjoy the way he brings his characters to life. His writing transports me in my mind. His woodworking is inspiring to me. His comedy makes me feel seen in this human experiment. I love his laugh; he clearly likes to be goofy, much like myself. He came through my town on his American Ham comedy tour and that's when I got a real feel for who he is as a person. He loves his wife enthusiastically. He's a connoisseur, whether it's words, whisk(e)y, wood, what-have-you. He's inclusive; understanding that we're all just individuals living our lives and wanting to do our best. You'll find a wide swath of genders working and managing his woodshop which means a lot to me as a woodworker because it's often a male dominated industry. I'm white, cis, male, and shoot, even southern (Appalachian) American, but I staunchly believe in accessibility and inclusiveness. The more I learn about Nick, the more I like the guy, and I've learned a good deal about him. I've had this dream for a while about reaching out to see if he'd want to go paddling with me down the oldest river in North America which starts in my area, but I'm just some guy, and he's probably pretty busy.
There's no apostrophe in Mr. Rogers. Rogers is his name. It's not possessive.
I don't have an answer to your question, but it reminds me of Jim Varney (actor who played Ernest in the Ernest movies). He was a smoker, but was careful to not be photographed smoking, so any kids who looked up to him wouldn't consequently think smoking was cool.
Carl Sagan was already mentioned, he’s def a favorite of mine. I’d also add Matt Mercer, everything I’ve seen of him makes it seems like he’s just a wonderful person all around.
I mean I didn't wanna out myself as a giant critter...
But it appears he has built a large and successful business with his friends while being fiercely protective of them while being welcoming and accepting to everyone.
If you've never watched Fun to Imagine, check it out sometime. It's just an hour of him sitting in a chair answering questions/sharing his thoughts and I wish there were hours more like it. It's so great.
Steve Irwin - definitely one of the most iconic people from my childhood. The respect and awe he showed towards animals was so inspiring to me, and definitely was my biggest role model when it comes to the way we should treat non-human animals.
Watching someone fuck something up, research, a video game, a car repair, that costs them a lot of time and took a ton of effort, then just laughing and going with the after math. It tells a lot about your character when something doesn't go your way.
Anyone that takes time to do the little things that make us civilised: picking up someone else’s trash, putting away someone else’s shopping cart, etc. Just shows they give a fuck
Mr Dress-up, aka Ernie Coombs, in the same vein as Mr Rodgers. A national treasure in Canada who was the best role model for kids. They just released a fantastic documentary on him recently on Amazon I think
This doesn't really answer the question, but sometimes it's not so much who the role model is but what action they want to model.
Maybe it was wanting to get better at controlling emotions, being great at communicating during a breakup, or a general attitude towards problems that come up.
When I see someone admire / want to emulate the good actions of others, that's a green flag.
Jack Black. Inspires people to do what they love. Really knows how to gave fun and doesn't care if people think it's weird. And despite a lot of banal poop, penis, sex humour in the Tenacious D songs, they changed some lyrics in live shows to swap genders. Great example of nonchelant emancipation and equality.
I always hated his music, the style and those of his listeners...then I heard the dude talk in Bowling for Columbine and he is so eloquent, logical and reasonable and informed on issues where people constantly try to misframe him I immediately gained enormous respect for him (still dislike his music and style) and everything I've ever heard him say since has been the same.
I mean, "red flags" are things people do, not things people are. And I really was referring to saying "what's" instead of "who's" to refer to a person.
English, like all languages, has an interesting history that explains why it is the way it is. At least until the Internet got ahold of it. Some of the new slang is... Stupid and seemingly based on nothing logical