History Main / LivingLegend

* There are hints that the crew of the ''Enterprise'', and the ship herself, are considered this in ''StarTrekTheOriginalSeries''. Kirk is certainly a notorious figure among the Klingons, as demonstrated in "The Trouble with Tribbles"; and Spock, despite being only half-Vulcan, is explicitly described in the episode "Amok Time" as "a legend among our people" by his mate T'Pring. This is very prominent in the movies as well, particularly ''StarTrekIVTheVoyageHome'' and ''StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry''.

** In a similar fashion, Kennet, would-be King of the Pirate Isles, is well known among the isles as a particularly capable and professional pirate. Then he gains more and more fame and love for targeting slavers.

* In ''{{Series/Heroes}}'', Hiro Nakamura goes to medieval Japan to meet his hero, Takezo Kensei. Hiro then does everything he can to make Takezo live up to the legends about him, making him into the legend Hiro [[TimeTravelTenseTrouble willen haven onen learned]] about.

* Snake from {{Metal Gear Solid}}, although he doesn't think himself as one.

* DukeNukem [[LegendaryInTheSequel is famous as of]] ''VideoGame/DukeNukemForever''.

* By the end of their respective games, the Warden in ''DragonAge: Origins'' and the Champion in ''[[DragonAgeII Dragon Age II]]'' are internationally famous, in a quasi-medieval society that can't use magic for fast communications. That's impressive just for its difficulty.
* After you've played a few missions in CityOfHeroes, {{NPC}}s start recognizing you and calling you by name. A passing civilian will say "Nice costume, (your name here)!" or an opponent will say "Cheezit, it's (your name here)!" when you approach.

* ''SluggyFreelance:'' Torg earned a reputation in the Dimension of Lame during "That Which Redeems".

* Most Living Legends are people who have risen to a celebrity status that is so enormous that it literally become LargerThanLife. They are either living legends because of one or more hugely famous deeds or events that have given them their iconic/heroic/infamous/cult/mystique status or due to their longevity where they have never ever been out of publicity or praise during their lives. FrankSinatra, TheBeatles, ElvisPresley, BruceLee, MichaelJackson are examples of people who were already living legends during their lifetime. Examples of actual living legends at this time of writing are MuhammadAli, Pele, DiegoMaradona, EddyMerckx, NelsonMandela, MickJagger and BobDylan.

---> '''Longwick:''' Some might do so merely at Lord FitzChivalry's request.
---> '''Fitz:''' Lord FitzChivalry would greatly appreciate that.

** [=FitzChivalry=] Farseer goes through several flavors of LivingLegend. First he becomes famous as a warrior defending the shores of the kingdom from the Outisland raiders. Then he becomes infamous as a Wit-user and traitor. Then he becomes a symbol of the wit movement. Finally he becomes TheManBehindTheMan, true ruler of the realm, mostly from the shadows.
** In a similar fashion, Kennet, would-be King of the Pirate Isles, is well known among the isles as a particularly capable and professional pirate. Then he gains more and more fame and love for targeting slavers. His reputation passes to his woman, erstwhile whore Etta and later Queen of the Pirate Isles, and his ward, Wintrow, their philosopher King.

* The leaders of various factions in CJCherryh's ''Literature/AllianceUnion'' universe are generally presented as famous, larger than life, and incredibly competent.

[[folder: Real Life ]]
* As is often the case, think long and hard before adding a RealLife example to this trope. My CheGuevara is your OsamaBinLaden...
* Most Living Legends are people who have risen to a celebrity status that is so enormous that it literally become LargerThanLife. They are either living legends because of one or more hugely famous deeds or events that have given them their iconic/heroic/infamous/cult/mystique status or due to their longevity where they have never ever been out of publicity or praise during their lives. FrankSinatra, TheBeatles, ElvisPresley, BruceLee, MichaelJackson are examples of people who were already living legends during their lifetime. Examples of actual living legends at this time of writing are MuhammadAli, Pele, DiegoMaradona, EddyMerckx, NelsonMandela, MickJagger and BobDylan.
* While many try to exemplify this trope, SalvadorDali is one of the few artists to use it. [[DeadArtistsAreBetter Many artists become popular only after their death]], but Dali lived to see his work appreciated extensively and even a museum erected in his honour. Even outside of the art world, he was a well-known personality and socialite in his time, sure to be recognized wherever he went (although his iconic appearance probably helped with that).
[[/folder]]

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* The leaders of various factions in CJCherryh's ''AllianceUnion'' universe are generally presented as famous, larger than life, and incredibly competent.

* By the end of their respective games, the Warden in ''DragonAge: Origins'' and the Champion in ''[[DragonAgeII Dragon Age II]]'' are internationally famous, in a quasi-medieval society that can't used magic for fast communications. That's impressive just for its difficulty.

[[folder: Anime ]]* In ''OnePiece'' there are several powerful pirates who fit in this category, most notably Silvers Rayleigh, the Number Two of Gold Roger himself.

** Liara T'soni ends up [[spoiler:the Shadow Broker]].

* Most Living Legends are people who have risen to a celebrity status that is so enormous that it literally become LargerThanLife. They are either living legends because of one or more hugely famous deeds or events that have given them their iconic/heroic/infamous/cult/mystique status or due to their longevity where they have never ever been out of publicity or praise during their lives. FrankSinatra, TheBeatles, ElvisPresley, BruceLee, MichaelJackson are examples of people who were already living legends during their lifetime. Examples of an actual living legend at this time of writing is MuhammedAli.

* ''MassEffect:'' Commander Shepard, depending on your [[MultipleChoicePast choices at the start of the game]], can start the game somewhat famous. By the end of the first game, s/he is ridiculously famous. And again by the end of the second.
** And those who serve with Shepard tend to become legends as well. And start that way, too. Liara T'soni ends up [[spoiler:the Shadow Broker]]. Urdnot Wrex, who killed a Thresher Maw on foot, was the youngest war leader ever and one of the rare, powerful Krogan battle masters and a mercenary with centuries of experience even before teaming up with Shepard and killing a Reaper.

[[folder:Toys]]

* DukeNukem [[LegendaryInTheSequel is famous as of]] ''DukeNukemForever''.

* ''RealmOfTheElderlings'':

* When Marasi from ''AlloyOfLaw'' meets Wax (and to a lesser extent, Wayne), she is almost starstruck, telling him that he's a legend [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotAwesome at least in criminology circles, anyway.]]

[[folder: Anime ]]
* In ''OnePiece'' there are several powerful pirates who fit in this category, most notably Silvers Rayleigh, the Number Two of Gold Roger himself.

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* It would be quicker and easier to list superheroes who are ''aversions'' of this trope. Batman, Superman, and so many others are incredibly famous that it's almost superfluous to list them.
** A special mention should be done, however, for in-universe characters such as CaptainAmerica and the JusticeSocietyofAmerica, who are famous even amongst the other heroes.

** His Grace, His Excellency, The Duke of Ankh, Commander Sir Samuel Vimes is known throughout his city as [[IncorruptiblePurePureness scrupulously honest]] and a man who, when upset, tends to spread his discontent around with a '''big''' shovel. So well known for inventing the first capable and honest police force of the city of Ankh-Morpork that cops throughout the plains are known as Sammies.

* HarryPotter. The Boy Who Lived. Also Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. In a very negative way, Tom Riddle, AKA Lord Voldemort, has such a fearsome reputation that no one will even say his name.

** Similarly, to be made a Grand Admiral of the Empire requires that you be above and beyond normal military talents. When people find themselves pitted against a Grand Admiral, the result is usually despair.

* ''ForgottenRealms:'' Elminster, immortal Chosen of Mystra, goddess of magic.

* ''StarCraft'' has a number of war heroes.

Some people become famous. They're well known, even if not very much is known about them. The LivingLegend is famous.