Close is a superstar artist known for his larger-than-life portraits of art-world figures and his improbable comeback from medical calamity.

Julianne Moore is one of those rare Hollywood chamelians who year after year turns out just as many mainstream blockbusters as critically-acclaimed indie flicks. Such performances include Nine Months, Boogie Nights, The Hours, The Kids Are All Right, and Crazy Stupid Love, making her Hollywood's most sought after redhead.

The foul-mouthed Bernhard is a standup comic, occasional TV actress, author, and lesbian icon. She also happens to be patient zero for Kabbalah, having hooked Madonna on all the silliness.

This emo singer-songwriter, who records under the name Bright Eyes, has enthralled a generation of teenage girls with his plaintive, confessional anthems.

The founder of the once uber-hip lastnightsparty.com, party photographer extraordinaire Merlin Bronques snaps shots of the city's inebriated hipsters in various stages of undress.

A longtime NBC veteran and former CEO of AOL, Falco is the CEO of Univision.

The former frontman of the Velvet Underground and a prolific artist in his own right, Reed is known as the godfather of punk and has been a downtown icon for over four decades.

Although she failed to impress as the New York City Schools Chancellor for a mere three months, Cathie Black is the former president of Hearst Magazines.

The former president of Viacom, Karmazin is now the CEO of Sirius, the satellite radio company that merged with its chief rival, XM Satellite Radio, in 2008.

A longtime General Electric exec, Wright served as chairman and CEO of NBC Universal until 2007. He was succeeded by Jeff Zucker.

The founder of Ms. magazine, Gloria Steinem is the world's most famous feminist.

One of the most famous—and least humble—designers working today, Rashid has applied his touch to thousands of products and dozens of spaces over the course of his career.

The world's most famous sushi chef isn't the white-hot superstar he was a decade ago, but his chain is running smoothly—and making millions—with dozens of locations around the world.

Once considered the queen of NYC nightlife, Sacco's empire is considerably smaller these days. Her New York hotspot Bungalow 8 was shuttered in late 2009 and her Chelsea restaurant, Bette, closed its doors in June 2008. However, in 2012, she plotted her comeback with her Chelsea-located No. 8.

Tourondel is the chef and owner of the rapidly multiplying BLT chain of eateries: BLT Steak, BLT Prime, BLT Fish, BLT Burger, and BLT Market, among others.

The most prominent pastor in Harlem, Butts is the leader of the Abyssinian Baptist Church and a major political player in the city.

Goldberg is a foul-mouthed comedienne, iconic 1980s actress, and one of the heads of the evil Hydra that is The View.

Best known for her role in the 1980s classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High, these days Cates runs a boutique on the Upper East Side. Her husband is actor Kevin Kline.

The former star chef Rocco DiSpirito doesn't have a kitchen to cook in these days, but Rocco fans need not despair: The fame-hungry chef will probably turn up somewhere any moment now.

Burroughs is best known as the author of dark-comedy childhood memoir
Running with Scissors, which was made into a 2006 film with Alec Baldwin and Gwyneth Paltrow.