Mathematicians are famous among people branded as "nerds" and "geeks." I know who many of them are, but I'm a huge nerd.

If I had to name one living mathematician that's famous by the standards of popular culture, the obvious choice would be John Nash. They made a Hollywood movie about him, thus he became a household name.

Pretty soon, when the Alan Turing movie starring Benedict Cumberbatch hits theaters, he'll become a household name as well. I know that he's passed, but I ran out of famous mathematicians after the first one.

I would love it if people who actually contributed towards the betterment of mankind became a bigger deal than pop stars, actors, and athletes, but most people simply aren't smart enough to recognize what really matters in life.

Contrast with Messrs. Einstein, Shakespeare, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Darwin, and Newton.