Their careers were just right

George "The Animal" Steele -- who wasn't infatuated with this teacher turned pro wrestler who acted like a Neanderthal and ate the turnbuckle stuffing during matches? He grunted like a caveman during interviews and scared yet fascinated every kid who looked at him. He was a beloved wrestler who lived a good long life using pretty much one trick to make a career.

Paul Reiser -- starred in plenty of milquetoast movies and TV shows that were mostly forgotten the minute they ended. His are the snack food of entertainment; they tide you over until the real meal starts.

Rik Smits -- enjoyed a fine, lengthy career, all with the nondescript Indiana Pacers. Never great, never bad, always good and sometimes better. Likewise the Pacers were never great or bad during his career, though they did make an NBA Finals in his final season.

Tori Amos -- peaked early, with her first solo album Little Earthquakes selling well, receiving critical acclaim, and giving us the songs she's still known for more than a quarter-century later. And she's still at it, with her 15th album just out while she embarks on a European tour. She just doesn't get the publicity she did back in the day.

Any others?

 

Baby Bear.

 

Likes that analogy:

 

Spoon. They've churned out above-average rock albums every two to four years for about 20 years now. They've never broken out and become big stars, but they've never lost it, either.

 

Ted Fucking Williams.

 

LeBron James. Lived up to the impossible hype.

 

Bob Barker.

Edit: Shit. Forgot the lawsuits. I was thinking about his level of fame. He was the perfect level of famous for 40 years. But the whole he's a creep thing. Forgot that.

 

Me.

 

Kobe

Ed O'Neill

Fred Willard

 

Tom Green.

 

FUCK No!
I am over Bill Murray. This Chive/Millennial love affair with him has pushed me over the edge.
(whispers) He's really not that fucking funny.