[Amazing] 25 Strange & Unusual Statues of Famous Celebrities
We humans have immortalized some of the greatest scientists, most extravagant orators, and most remarkable adventurers in statue form. But sometimes, we make sculptures which aren’t as special; unusual statues such as the Michael Jackson statue outside a McDonalds in the Netherlands or famous Czech artist David Černý’s controversial purple middle finger in the center of Prague’s Vltava River. Though these sculptures may seem bizarre or shocking, wait until you see the unusual statues of famous celebrities found in this post.
In this list, we’ve scoured the entirety of humanity’s statue legacy to find some especially strange statues of celebrities and famous people. Have you seen the statue of soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo with the huge bulge? Or how about the classic statue of St. Bartholomew carrying his own skin over his shoulder? Or maybe you’ve seen the statue of supermodel Kate Moss in nothing more than a leotard performing a complex yoga pose? (It’s even the largest gold sculpture created since the time of the Ancient Egyptians.)
The statues on this list are odd and sometimes shocking (we can’t stress the Kate Moss statue enough – can you believe it was commissioned by the British Museum?) and are sure to make you wonder whey they were ever made. Check out these 25 Strange and Unusual Statues of Famous Celebrities.
Freddie Mercury
Source: The Telegraph, Image: Wikipedia
Regarded as the best rock singer of all time by Classic Rock, Freddie Mercury was the famous front man of the band Queen. Soon after his death, a 10 foot (3 m) statue was built overlooking Lake Geneva in Switzerland. Every year since 2003, Queen fans have flooded the area in early September for “Freddie Mercury Montreux Memorial Day”.
Kim Il-sung & Kim Jong-il
Source: BBC News, Image: Wikipedia
North Korean leaders aren’t known for their subtleties, as shown in these 72 feet (22 m) tall statues of former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim-Jong-il in Pyongyang.
Amy Winehouse
Source: BBC News, Image: pahudson via Flickr
The Amy Winehouse statue in north London hasn’t missed out on her strong attitude nor her trademark beehive hairstyle. The statue can be found in Camden Town, just near where Winehouse passed away from alcohol poisoning in 2011.
Chairman Mao
Source: Changsha Evening News, Image: Wikimedia
In 2009, the Chinese government built a massive 105 foot (32 m) tall, 135 foot (41 m) wide statue depicting a young Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China. Construction on another statue of Chairman Mao in the central Henan province began in early 2016 in but was mysteriously destroyed. The Communist Party claims the massive gold-painted statue was not approved and thus was removed.
Michael Jackson
Source: BBC News, Image: Wikipedia
One of the oddest statues of a famous person on the list, “Michael Jackson and Bubbles” was created by American sculptor Jeff Koons. The statue features the famous singer reclining on a bed of flowers with his domesticated chimpanzee, Bubbles, relaxing on his lap. (For another strange Michael Jackson statue, check out the 30 foot (9.1 m) tall effigy outside a McDonald’s in the Netherlands.)
Albert Einstein
Source: The Telegraph, Image: Wikimedia
Due to his immense contributions to the field of theoretical physics, Albert Einstein has been honored in stone and metal all across the world. This 12 foot (3.5 m) statue rests in the Albert Einstein Memorial on Washington D.C.’s National Mall.
Graham Kennedy
Source: ABC, Image: rexness via Flickr
Gracing the Melbourne Docklands in Australia is a statue of Graham Kennedy, the “King of Australian television”. Widely known as a variety performer and star of multiple mediums include radio, theatre, and film, Kennedy was immortalized in this cheeky statue, crown included, soon after his death.
Paddington Bear
Source: The Telegraph, Image: justgrimes via Flickr
Popular children’s book character Paddington Bear was fictionally found in London’s Paddington Station by the Brown family, who adopted him. To honor decades of success, this statue of the polite bear was made for the station.
Ken Dodd
Source: The Telegraph, Image: Geograph.co.uk
This statue of comedian Ken Dodd stands in the largest railway station in Liverpool. An iconic British funnyman, Dodd made his place in the Guinness Book of Records for hosting the world’s longest joke telling session: 1,500 jokes over 3.5 hours. Here he holds his famous red, white, and blue “tickling stick”.
St. Bartholomew
Source: D. A. Teunis. Satan's Secret: Exposing the Master of Deception and the Father of Lies. , Image: Wikipedia
Marco d’Agrate’s statue of St. Bartholomew has to be one of the creepiest statues on this list. The story goes that St. Bartholomew was skinned alive. See what looks like a robe around him? That’s the saint carrying his own skin.
Ray Charles
Source: Rolling Stone, Image: Wikipedia
Among the few statues of Ray Charles that exist, one of the most expressive is in a park in his home city of Greenville, Florida. Widely known for his mix of soul, R&B, gospel, and blues music, Ray Charles helped integrate country and pop music in the 1960’s.
If you think these statues are weird, you should check out 25 Of The Weirdest Statues Ever Made.
Bruce Lee
Source: Los Angeles Times, Image: Wikipedia
Set along the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars (the city’s equivalent to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame), this statue of Bruce Lee shows his “ready to strike” pose from the popular 1972 movie “Fist of Fury”.
Dolly Parton
Source: Dollymania, Image: brent_nashville via Flickr
The most awarded female country artist in history, Dolly Parton grew up around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. She has remained active in the community, even opening up a theme park known as Dollywood. Sevier County erected this statue of Dolly Parton in front of the county courthouse in thanks for her long-time support.
Argentinean Icons
Source: The Telegraph, Image: Wikipedia
These three statues in Buenos Aires depict some of the most famous Argentineans to date. From left to right, they are: Carlos Gardel, a pioneer of tango; Eva Perón, famous wife of leader Juan; and, Diego Maradona, the legendary soccer star.
Nathan Bedford Forrest
Source: Sociological Quarterly, Image: brent_nashville via Flickr
The man who lent his name to the lead character in Forrest Gump, Nathan Bedford Forrest was a Confederate military commander during the American Civil War. He was also notably the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. This demented-looking statue was put up in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1998.
Andy Warhol
Source: Andy Warhol Museum, Image: Wikipedia
Legendary American visual artist Andy Warhol was loved around the world for his dramatic pop art which mixed art, celebrity culture, and the world of advertising. This statue of Warhol is in Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital.
Alice in Wonderland
Source: Central Park Conservancy, Image: Wikipedia
Sculptor José de Creeft was commissioned to create a statue of Alice from Alice in Wonderland for the New York park system. Located on East 74th Street in NYC’s Central Park, Alice is flanked by the White Rabbit, Cheshire cat, and Mad Hatter.
Thierry Henry
Source: Soccerbase, Image: Wikipedia
Skilled soccer striker Thierry Henry is known as Arsenal FC’s highest all-time goal scorer, a title he also holds for his home country of France. This statue (with an expression that borders on a creepy attempt at seduction) is outside Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
Nikola Tesla
Source: Tesla Universe, Image: Wikipedia
The famous Serbian inventor and genius silenced by Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla has recently been becoming one of the most venerated men in science. This statue (which looks like he’s pulling apart a grapefruit) is at the Nikola Tesla Memorial Centre in present-day Croatia, his birthplace.
Marilyn Monroe
Source: Spoto, Donald (2001). Marilyn Monroe: The Biography., Image: Pixabay
Actress Marilyn Monroe was one of the biggest sex symbols of the 20th century. Mostly raised in foster homes, the young girl grew up into a major film star popularly known for playing the “dumb blonde” archetype. This statue recounts one of her most famous pictures, originally snapped while posing for photographers over a NYC subway grate during filming “The Seven Year Itch”.
Kate Moss
Source: The Telegraph, Image: Wikipedia
In 2009, the British Museum commissioned edgy British sculptor Marc Quinn to make a life-sized statue of supermodel Kate Moss. This strange statue has become famous as it shows her attempting to do difficult yoga position. Made purely of cast gold, it’s also the largest gold sculpture since the Ancient Egyptians.
Andy Murray
Source: Telegraph, Image: Telegraph
Famous tennis player Andy Murray was presented with this terra cotta warrior statue of himself after winning the Shanghai Masters.
Charles La Trobe
Source: La Trobe University, Image: Wikimedia
Known as “Landmark”, this statue depicts Charles Joseph La Trobe, the first lieutenant-governor of Australia. This statue now stands outside La Trobe University and reminds us of student life during exam time.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Source: Telegraph, Image: alexqueiros via Twitter
Cristiano Ronaldo is not known for being modest. Apparently his statues – like this one with a huge bulge in Madeira, Portugal – aren’t modest either.
Yoda
Source: dougsawyer via Flickr, Image: dougsawyer via Flickr
The force is strong in this statue. Though various statues of Yoda exist around the world (Google “Yoda ice sculpture” to see a frozen version made in Belgium), this one tops a fountain in San Francisco.
