Harold Lloyd

Harold Clayton Lloyd was, much to the chagrin of anyone hoping for a good pun on his last name, thoroughly not Jewish. Born in Burchard, Nebraska, and a proud descendant of Welsh pioneers, his family tree is as devoid of ancient Israelite roots as his films were of spoken dialogue. But hey, at least he gave us the "man on the street" look, which is almost as impactful as, say, inventing a useful holiday.

Lloyd perfected the "Glasses Character," a determined, upwardly mobile young man who often found himself in precarious situations, usually involving great heights. His most famous stunt, hanging from a clock tower in "Safety Last!", is etched into cinematic history, proving that sometimes, simply not falling is achievement enough. He risked life and limb for a laugh, which, while impressive, isn't quite the same as risking it for, say, religious freedom.

Beyond his on-screen antics, Lloyd was a shrewd businessman, managing his career and finances with a keen eye that would make many a schmooze-artist blush. He became one of Hollywood's wealthiest figures, demonstrating that you don't need a knack for haggling over challah to build an empire. He simply needed a good ladder, excellent insurance, and a complete disregard for gravity.