Great thread and tough choices. I stuck with the names listed.

Athletes I put Ali, Nicklaus and Owens because in each case the man transcended the sport, and changed the sport forever.

Music was tough. I left presley out because while I think he was a pioneer in the early days, he wa so awful at the end that he became a parody of himself. I went with the BEatles, Dylan and Pavarotti, for the same reason I chose the three in sports... each of these transcended music, and became something greater.

Actors, Nicholson, Hoffman and Chaplin.