Mormons Like Famous Mormons

Mormons can't get enough of famous Mormons—sometimes referred to as “FaMos.” (I really like the term FaMos. It is not only clever but also uses an alternative spelling of “famous” and uses a faux French prefix—both crucial elements of many Mormon names.) Not surprisingly, a FaMo is someone who is (1) a Mormon and (2) famous to the general public.

Here are a few easy cases of FaMos: David Archuleta, Donny and Marie, Mitt Romney, and Steve Young. And then, there is Gladys Knight. The Mo-dar (which is that sixth sense that lets you know somebody is a Mormon) might not sound when you think “Gladys Knight.” But, she literally puts the Mo in Motown.

In calculating whether someone meets the FaMo criteria, Mormons are pretty lenient. If you can make a good case of being either famous or a Mormon, to qualify as a FaMo the other part of the criteria only has to pass the laugh test. It is probably worth walking through a couple of examples.

First off, the name “Ken Jennings” may seem only remotely familiar to those who aren’t Mormons. If this is the case, you might ask a Mormon in all sincerity, “Who is Ken Jennings?” This will cause a Mormon to do a double take because Ken Jennings is a FaMo. However, a Mormon will not be distraught over this for too long. Why? Because the Mormon will recognize that you—of course purposely!—referenced the Mormon champion of Jeopardy in the form of a question.

Here is another example, Gary Coleman. If you tell a Mormon you don’t know who Gary Coleman is, the Mormon may respond, “Whatchoo talkin’ ’bout Willis?” If this doesn’t ring a bell, the Mormon will have come to terms that you in fact don’t know who Gary Coleman is—which can only mean that you have not wasted sufficient time watching reruns of Different Strokes or Hollywood Squares. Still, even though you have no clue who he is, he qualifies as FaMo: quite few people know who he is and, yes, he is a Mormon.

A FaMo doesn’t have to be all that famous if he or she is a Mormons. This is why a website devoted to famous Mormons (and isn't even parody) lists categories of FaMos like “Famous Mormons in Protective Services,” “Horse Racing and Rodeo,” and “Famous Mormons in Rugby.” This is not a one-off either.

Additionally, a FaMo doesn’t have to be super connected to the Mormon church to be a FaMo. In contrast to non-famous Mormons (whom Mormons will refer to as "not active in the church" if church attendance is sparse or as "Jack Mormons" if the connection to the church is pretty much cultural), FaMos are simply "Mormons. " It doesn't matter if a FaMo attends church or really even if he or she lives up the church's standards. Why? Mormons like famous Mormons, so the more FaMos the merrier.

There are several categories of Mormons somewhat akin to FaMos. The first is comprised of Mormons who became famous but in a notorious sense. Mormons will only begrudgingly admit that people in this group had anything to do with the church. The category includes folks like Butch Cassidy, Ted Bundey, and SUPERDELL. (I have the feeling that I am going to catch crap for that last comment. SUPERDELL, though a man with an annoying personality, is not without friends—as strange as that may seem). One more thing, if pictures of Mark Hoffman ping your Mo-dar, better to keep that to yourself among Mormons.

A second category is made up of Mormons that are famous but only in Mormon circles. Want some examples? Hello, Janice Kapp Perry. Aloha, Chieko Okazaki. And, how the [bleep] are you, J. Golden Kimball? In this group we also find any person serving in the upper echelons of Mormon church leadership. We also have all the Mormon pop artists. And, Michael McKlean, no, you are not alone. There are plenty of others joining you. You can be somewhat of a clown and still be part of this group. So, yes Robert Kirby, make yourself at home. Just don’t leave too many Cheetos in the cushions of the recliner.

A third category is made of people genuinely not famous but that Mormons insist are famous only because they are Mormons and Mormons like FaMos. These are people who will name drop and then have to explain that so-and-so went to Harvard Medical School, worked on the team that help invent Preparation H, or had a near perfect attendance record during high school. While admittedly FaMos is a very, very inclusive term, some have to wonder, is there a Mormon that is not famous for something? If the answer to that is “yes,” then at least some references to famous Mormons have to fail because they are simply not famous.

The final category is made up of people that are famous but not Mormons. However, because Mormons like FaMos so much, Mormons will insist famous people are Mormons. You want examples of these rumors? Let's start with Christina Aguilera, Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, and even Elvis. You want more examples? Hang around Mormons, they will dish them out like casserole at a Ward Party.