Barack Obama Tops Barbara Walters' '10 Most Fascinating People' List

Access Hollywood - December 5, 2008 8:40 PM PST
Story photo: Barack Obama Tops Barbara Walters' '10 Most Fascinating People' ListBarack Obama, November 26, 2008Getty ImagesAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Barbara Walters unveiled her annual "10 Most Fascinating People" list Thursday night, and it included a slew of film stars, television stars, an Olympic athlete, a controversial political radio personality, a one-time vice presidential hopeful and the man who squashed her chances at the number one spot, President-Elect Barack Obama.

It was not surprising to many that Obama landed at the top of the list after making history as the first African-American elected president. In an AccessHollywood.com poll earlier this week, viewers dubbed Obama "most fascinating" with an impressive 54 percent of the votes.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Barbara Walters' '10 Most Fascinating People' List 2008

(To see all the 'Most Fascinating People' CLICK HERE!)

Coming in second was Tom Cruise, who extolled the virtues of his wife, Katie Holmes, during their interview.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Miley Cyrus

"She is just magic. And I really think that all men should celebrate their women. ... They should all jump on couches for them. ... When you find that woman, you should absolutely be unabashed about it. That's how I feel about it," Cruise told Walters.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who ran a tough campaign with John McCain against Obama, placed third for captivating a nation during her battle for the White House.

Keeping the political theme going, "Frost/Nixon" star Frank Langella earned the number four spot on Walter's list for his haunting portrayal of President Nixon. Walters believes his performance will nab the actor an Oscar nomination.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes

Thomas Beatie, known to most as "the Pregnant Man," rounded out the top five.

Conservative radio shock jock Rush Limbaugh was sixth on the list, with "30 Rock" creator and star Tina Fey coming in seventh.

Teen sensation Miley Cyrus was the youngest person on Walters' list, coming in at number eight, while eight-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, who was also honored as Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year earlier this week, swam his way into the number nine spot.

Star of the summer superhero blockbuster "Hancock" and the upcoming "Seven Pounds," Will Smith, rounded out Walter's annual "fascinating" list.

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes Get Candid
PLAY IT NOW: Miley Cyrus Goes To The Dogs In 'Bolt'

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Barack Obama - Rock - 30 Rock - Will Smith - Katie Holmes

comments

show comments

comments

comments 1-10 of 18  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • beyonce
    Go Barack Obama
    report abuseposted January 18, 2009 1:11 AM PST
  • lacajunqt
    whats so fascinating about a woman becoming a man and then having a baby?I think its pretty gross.Tom cruise is way over rated.I never liked him...barbara wawa needs a wake up call
    report abuseposted December 11, 2008 4:52 AM PST
  • Julie
    Not to be mean or anything, but what is so fascinating about our new President? I mean yes, he is the first African/American President, but what else has he done that has made him number 1?
    report abuseposted December 8, 2008 6:01 AM PST
  • Oreomonster
    Every one on this list sucks & who cares what Barbara Walters thinks anyway? She's a stuck-up, half dead zombie.
    report abuseposted December 7, 2008 6:19 PM PST
  • Pamela G
    how can obama be fascinating, with that monotone voice and all the stuttering and stammering? he can't talk if it isn't scripted. bor-ingggg
    report abuseposted December 6, 2008 5:43 AM PST
  • Dei H
    LOL.... search " My Discount Bag " on google to get the same designer bags with Karolina. " My Discount Bag " is just for fashion ladies, wow! Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi, Coach, Miu Miu, Dior, Hermes, Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana Women's shoes ***u g g b a r g a i n ***
    report abuseposted December 6, 2008 12:57 AM PST
  • Emmyowens13
    Tom Cruise = Yes. He is awesome. A shame that so many hate.
    report abuseposted December 5, 2008 10:36 PM PST
  • Amanda
    wow...
    report abuseposted December 5, 2008 10:30 PM PST
  • km
    DiamondGirl, I like SP and find her fascinating. What ignorant democrat loving talk show host have to say doesn't make her any less fascinating. I don't find Tom C. and Obama fascinating at all. The top spot should have gone to the media as a whole because it appears they can control the minds of most Americans.
    report abuseposted December 5, 2008 10:13 PM PST
  • DiamondGirl
    I don't know why Tom Cruise or Sarah Palin was included in that group. Tom might have been interesting at one time, but his fame is slipping away now. As for Sarah Palin, she became fodder for every late night talk show host, and nothing she ever said was interesting at all. Tina Fey doing Sarah Palin was better by far.
    report abuseposted December 5, 2008 9:29 PM PST
comments 1-10 of 18  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

Post A Comment

sign in to post a comment.

sign in

RELATED ARTICLES

RELATED PHOTOS

RELATED VIDEOS

Updates

Manage My Updates
Manage My Updates
More Updates »

omg!

MORE ENTERTAINMENT

ALSO ON YAHOO!

Help us to improve! - Send Your Suggestions