Heroes of 2023

Photo illustration of Penn Jillette and Taylor Swift

Penn Jillette: Why My Hero of 2023 Is Taylor Swift

A young friend recently gave me a Taylor Swift album to listen to and after playing it on repeat I soon found that the pop star had captivated me like Joni Mitchell.

Penn Jillette

Photo illustration of Robert Smigel and Drew Carey

GENEROSITY AND HUMILITY

Robert Smigel: Drew Carey Is My Hero of 2023

Striking writers, actors, and their families were fed—no questions asked—thanks to a mysterious donor. Turns out it was the host of “The Price is Right.”

Robert Smigel

Wolfgang Puck and his son Byron Lazaroff-Puck.

DADDY DEAREST

Wolfgang Puck: Why My Hero of 2023 Is My Son, Byron

Part of my pride in Byron is imagining him—in the future, not now!—being able to take over the company at the right moment. That is my dream for the continuation of my legacy.

Wolfgang Puck

Photo illustration of Brian Stelter and Evan Gershkovich

STAND WITH EVAN

Brian Stelter: Reporter Jailed in Russia Is My Hero of 2023

The Wall Street Journal’s Evan Gershkovich has been wrongly imprisoned since March for doing honest reporting. His friends at WSJ won’t rest until he’s back home.

Brian Stelter

Photo illustration of W Kamau Bell and a Palestinian man

LIBERARTION

W. Kamau Bell: Palestinians Are My Heroes of 2023

The grace and bravery of people standing up to injustice—whatever the consequence—is impossible to ignore.

W. Kamau Bell

Photo illustration of Bianca Jagger and Antonio Guterres.

‘WE WILL NOT GIVE UP’

Bianca Jagger: U.N. Head Antonio Guterres Is My Hero of 2023

The U.N. Secretary General is a reformer, committed to restoring trust to the United Nations and this year he has stood up courageously for the Palestinian people.

Bianca Jagger