Photography by JUCO | Retouching by Anna Glen at Wet Noodle
The Moment: May 25, 1977: Star Wars, starring gay actor Alec Guinness, premieres.
Billy Eichner has been ready for his close-up for some time, but 2014 was the year that delivered. The natural heir to the late Joan Rivers, Eichner, with his man-on-the-street shtick, is a wonder to behold as he charges around New York City heckling random strangers as if his life depended on it. Aided by celebrity cameos, and an awesome recall of pop trivia, he's harangued his way across three seasons of his Fuse show, Billy on the Street, each time raising his profile a little bit higher. This year, the comedian, who cites Madonna's Truth or Dare as his biggest influence, cemented his place as a cast regular on Parks and Recreation, and reduced Letterman to stitches with a trivia challenge titled "Celebrity Child or Kentucky Derby Winner." He also got to meet President Obama and the first lady. "Contrary to popular opinion I was actually invited, and not the crazy guy who jumped over the fence," he says. We'll take his word for it.
Photographed in Los Angeles on September 2, 2014
Styling by Alison Brooks. Makeup: Alexis Ellen. Hair: Marina Migliaccio