The ones that you hear their names the most!
The answer to this question will change with each passing generation. It will also vary depending on what country you live in, and whatever Taekwondo organization of which you are a member.
There are many pioneers, and legends of the past, several of whom were once more well-known, but their fame fades with time. Others are famous because they brought Taekwondo to a country or region where it previously did not exist. Others gain fame for their exceptional skills, or because they win tournaments, or because they are a movie star/celebrity - - or a combination of those things.
I will star a list, and others can add names of people who they feel have attained local or world-wide fame.
Grandmaster Won-Kuk Lee (founder of the first official Kwan: Chung Do Kwan)
General Hong-Hi Choi (founder of Oh Do Kwan, ITF, and submitter of the name Taekwondo in 1955)
Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee (Noted for first organizing Taekwondo in America)
Grandmaster Suh-Chong Kang (pioneer of Taekwondo on U.S. eastern coast, co-founder and first President of the ATA)
Grandmaster Haeng-Ung Lee (co-founder and second president of the ATA, and founder of Song Ahm Taekwondo / STF)
Grandmaster Y.K. Kim (Kukkiwon 9th Dan / Korean movie producer / actor, business seminar motivational speaker)
Chuck Norris (Tournament fighter / actor - tv & movie star - trained and certified in various Korean Martial Art systems, including 9th Dan Kukkiwon for Taekwondo)
Grandmaster Edward B. Sell (founder of U.S. Chung Do Kwan, first non-Asian to attain "Master" level and to reach 9th Dan [Chung Do Kwan] currently 9th Dan Kukkiwon).
Grandmaster Brenda J. Sell (President of U.S. Chung Do Kwan, highest ranked non-Asian female in the world - 8th Dan Kukkiwon)
"Superfoot" Bill Wallace (Undefeated PKA champion / actor, studied Taekwondo and other Martial Art systems)
Jun-Ki Lee (one of the top South Korean actors, model and singer)
Master Kim Yong Ho, 9th Dan
Hwang Jang-lee ( Was most famous as an actor in the70s and 80s, best known as Thunder Leg in Drunken Master as well as Silver Fox)
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Feel free to add names to the bottom of this list just above this line, and indicate what made the individual famous. Keep it brief as the name is mostly all that is needed. Detailed profiles on each can be searched elsewhere.
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