Screw that. GEORGE WASHINGTON is the greatest.
Maybe he just doesn't symbolize America TO FOREIGNERS as well - which is what I guess the gist of this thing is.
That said,
"they also need to have had a colossal influence in their field of expertise on the international scene."
What great influence did James Dean ever have? He made a few forgettable movies and then died. Martyr complex.
Marilyn Monroe, many more but mostly known for her alleged sexiness. She had no good movies.
These 2 are THE most over-rated "stars" of the screen, perhaps. And they both have 1 thing in common - they died during their careers, in the same era. I don't get why their faces are the 2 always plastered on sides of buildings, billboards, posters, art, as if they were the top movie stars of all time. BS.
I would put Ben Franklin as the number 1 Icon. George Washington #2. Ronald Reagan #3.
For entertainers:
Louie Armstrong, Mark Twain, Hemmingway, John Wayne, Elvis, Bogie, Sinatra, Clint Eastwood, & Dylan in no particular order.