CREATED BY: Ad man Leo Burnett
FIRST APPEARANCE: 1950s
AREAS OF INFLUENCE: The Marlboro Man was born with the intention to influence only one group of people, potential Marlboro smokers. But the cigarette mascot’s undeniable masculinity and air of the American West allowed his power to grow. The Marlboro Man lived a life that was—or at least looked to be, based on the ads—worthy of envy, one that was to many the ideal American life. In real life, two Marlboro men ended up dying of lung cancer, a sad twist that illustrated the real influence of smoking.
Are we missing your favorite fictional character?
Click here to see—and vote on—our expanded list.