Movember: 15 Iconic Mustaches

American Icons, Celebrities, Featured Article, People
on November 6, 2013

If you’re seeing an unusual number of mustaches, that may be because it’s Movember — and no, that’s not a typo. Movember, short for Mustache November, is a charitable movement started in Australia in 2004.

The annual event raises awareness and fund to fight prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges. Men around the globe grow and groom mustaches and collect donations for their ‘stache growing efforts. Their often-unexpected facial hair prompts conversations about often-ignored men’s health issues. Get inspiration for a new mustache style of your own from the mustaches of these 15 American icons.

Groucho-Marx-mustacheGroucho Marx
The Vaudeville comedian is almost unrecognizable without his trademark thick, bushy mustache. Most people are unaware that his mustache wasn’t real — Groucho painted it on with greasepaint every night, only growing a real mustache late in his career.

Burt-Reynolds-mustacheBurt Reynolds
Burt Reynolds’ iconic mustache has inspired party themes, websites, and even games such as “pin the mustache on Burt Reynolds.”

BLUE BLOODSTom Selleck
It’s apropos for a man whose most famous character, Magnum, P.I., was a private investigator, to sport a mustache that could easily camouflage his identity. His trademark Hawaiian shirt, on the other hand, may not have helped him blend in to his surroundings.

Hulk-Hogan-mustacheHulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan’s most intimidating feature may not be his impressive muscles or his 12 world wrestling championship titles, but his blonde horseshoe mustache that proclaims his dominance.

daniel-day-lewis-mustacheDaniel Day Lewis
No matter what role he’s playing, Daniel Day Lewis’ mustache reflects his character, evolving from a perfectly curved handlebar in “Gangs of New York” (2002) to a thick and bushy mustache in “There Will Be Blood” (2007).

alex-trebek-mustacheAlex Trebek
What is one of the most disappointing moments in “Jeopardy” history? In 2001, during Season 18, long-time host Alex Trebek shaved off his ubiquitous mustache.

ron-swanson-mustacheNick Offerman (as Ron Swanson)
Ron Swanson’s mustache perfectly captures manliness. Rugged and bristly, the mustache would not exist without Nick Offerman’s firm belief that the mustache makes the man.

© Copyright 2012 CorbisCorporationClark Gable
Trimming a mustache into the thin lines of the one Clark Gable sports is an art form; if perfected, it gives the wearer a look of sophistication they could not attain without the mustache.

Frank-Zappa-mustacheFrank Zappa
Proclaimed No. 22 on the “Rolling Stone” list of “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” Frank Zappa will be forever remembered for his radical music and eclectic mustache. Movember is a fitting tribute to his memory, as Zappa died of prostate cancer.

Yosemite-Sam-mustacheYosemite Sam
Yosemite Sam may know the value of a mustache more than any other man, since his face is essentially one large, emotionally expressive red mustache.

Super-Mario-mustacheSuper Mario
Mario, characterized by his blue overalls, red hat, and the distinct mustache that marks his Italian descent, has become one of the world’s most famous video game characters.

Défilé Channel printemps/été 2010 prêt-à-porterPrince
Prince may have changed his name multiple times, but his barely-there mustache remained as a constant identifier.

sam-elliott-mustacheSam Elliott
Sam Elliott’s mustache takes over his face, demanding respect whether he is playing a cowboy, a cop, a pilot or a stranger.

theodore-Roosevelt-mustacheTheodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt’s commanding mustache reflects his use of the slogan “Speak softly and carry a big stick” (or in his case, an impressive mustache). One of the most awesome mustaches to grace a president’s face, Roosevelt’s ‘stache is literally etched in stone — on Mount Rushmore.

Yanni-mustacheYanni
After pianist, composer and music producer Yanni shaved his mustache because it interfered with his scuba diving hobby, its shadow remained on the minds of his fans. In years past, Yanni has joined the Movember movement and even has a twitter account, aptly called @YannisMoustache, dedicated to raising money.

Want more mustaches? We couldn’t resist these five European legends who sport stellar ‘staches:

Charlie-Chaplin-mustacheCharlie Chaplin
Silent film star Charlie Chaplin added a short, thick toothbrush mustache to his costume to give his character a comical appearance. The ‘stache became a defining feature of the actor’s best characters.

Salvador-Dali-mustacheSalvador Dali
Salvador Dali’s slender, upturned mustache is famous enough to have a book written about it. In “Dali’s Mustache,” author Philippe Halsman features pictures of the mustache in bizarre configurations that imitate the artist’s surrealistic paintings.

Albert-Einstein-mustacheAlbert Einstein
German physicist Albert Einstein’s bushy, gray mustache matches his shaggy hair, giving him the iconic look that defined him as an eccentric genius.

Friederich-Nietzsche-mustacheFriedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich Nietzsche had distinct thoughts and a unique mustache to match; his thoughts were organized, but his walrus handlebar mustache was thick and wild.

Borat-mustacheSacha Baron Cohen (as Borat)
The fictional Kazakh journalist Borat took America by storm in his controversial “documentary” featuring the foreigner interacting with people around the country. What was less controversial than the movie? Borat’s distinct, bushy mustache.