Mental Floss

POP CULTURE

David Bowie, a.k.a. Ziggy Stardust, poses for the cover of his 'Pin Ups' album in 1973.

In showbiz, personality goes a long way. Personalities go even further. From Ziggy Stardust to Sasha Fierce, artists have used alter egos as a means of stepping outside of themselves, if only momentarily.

Kenneth Partridge






Ellen Pompeo stars in Grey's Anatomy.

'Grey's Anatomy' is the longest-running primetime medical drama on TV. Not bad for a show that creator Shonda Rhimes didn't think would get picked up for a second season.

Stacy Conradt






Dr. Demento makes a live appearance in Los Angeles in 2014.

Radio personality Dr. Demento spent four decades curating weird novelty songs for an enraptured audience—including a young "Weird" Al Yankovic.

Jake Rossen




L to R: Wendi McLendon-Covey, Rose Byrne, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph, and Ellie Kemper star in Bridesmaids (2011).

In 2011, 'Bridesmaids' silenced chauvinists who believed that men had the monopoly on laughs and spearheaded a wave of female-fronted comedies. It also turned Melissa McCarthy into a bankable leading lady.

Jon O'Brien








Apple once tried to take a bite out of the video gaming market.

Plenty of consumer brands have abandoned their core market to try something new. Sometimes it works, and sometimes you wind up with Bic pantyhose.

Jake Rossen