Joe Dallesandro, a Warhol superstar and American actor, became an icon of the sexual revolution with roles in Andy Warhol's films "Flesh", "Trash", and "Heat". His influence permeates pop culture, evidenced by his presence on The Smiths' debut album cover and in Lou Reed's lyrics.

American record producer Norman Dolph (1937-2022) made his mark by financing and facilitating The Velvet Underground's debut album. Working at Columbia Records by day and moonlighting as a painter, Dolph bridged the gap between music and art, later leveraging his expertise in international business.