There are words from sociology, call them our argot or lingo, which are sometimes utilized differently from the generic society. The word icon is a good example. Icons mean popular symbols. The Superman logo or the American Flag is an icon. Usually, people are not icons for sociologists. People, fictional or real, are called celebrities, not really icons.
Yet occasionally, some people become symbolic enough to be icons. John Travolta with his polyester suit is icon worthy. Madonna is a symbol of the 1980s. Greg Brady is the fictional icon of 1970s fashion, music, television, and media culture. Yet, is Barry Williams?
It is unusual for both the real person and their fictional character to both be icons. Captain James T. Kirk and William Shatner are examples. Superman and Christopher Reeve are both icons. Yet, while Han Solo or Indiana Jones might be icons, Harrison Ford doesn’t qualify as an icon. He is a celebrity, yet not an icon. It is possible that Barry Williams is an icon, though. Because of his Sirius show, his supporting of 1970s music, his plays, and his hosting of television shows, Barry might soon be a symbol of the Seventies. He may not get $20 million a picture, yet Barry has something that Harrison Ford doesn’t. He is in that unusual company of celebrities who are icons. That Barry is a positive symbol is the reason his fans like him so much. Congratulations Barry Williams, icon.
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Laura
on Jan. 27th, 2008
Your absolutely right when you say that Barry is a positive symbol. He is very famous and yet he still lives a respectable life. You never hear about him being involved in scandals, he’s a good person and an icon in his own right.
Bob Hunt
on Jan. 27th, 2008
Of the Brady cast, I think you could make a case for Florence Henderson having attained the dual iconic status as Carol Brady and also as herself. Impossible for the general public to see Flo H. and not think of her as America’s Mom. And the foremost ambassador of Wessonality, or course.
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