The Most Famous Bank Robber, Ranked

Choose the bank robber you think is the most famous!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 29, 2024 07:37
The fascination with bank robbers in popular culture traces back to their bold heists and notorious reputations. By listing these infamous figures, it allows us to understand who captured the public's attention most and why. Ranking them provides not just a glimpse into a darker part of history but also a lens through which we can examine societal views on crime and celebrity. On this website, users have the opportunity to cast their votes on who they believe deserves the title of the most notorious bank robber. As votes accumulate, live rankings reflect the collective opinion, offering an engaging and interactive way to evaluate these figures. Your participation helps shape this ongoing conversation, emphasizing which stories remain most compelling in public memory.

Who Is the Most Famous Bank Robber?

  1. 1
    46
    votes

    Bonnie and Clyde

    A criminal couple who traveled the Central United States with their gang during the Great Depression.
    • Era: Early 20th century
    • Notable Heist: Robberies of multiple banks and small businesses
  2. 3
    13
    votes

    Willie Sutton

    An American bank robber who during his forty-year criminal career stole an estimated $2 million, and eventually spent more than half of his adult life in prison.
    • Era: Early to mid-20th century
    • Notable Heist: Robbed numerous banks using disguises
  3. 4
    9
    votes

    Jesse James

    An American outlaw known for his leadership of the James-Younger Gang.
    • Era: Mid-19th century
    • Notable Heist: The robbery of the Clay County Savings Association in Liberty, Missouri
  4. 5
    9
    votes

    Pretty Boy Floyd

    A bank robber and killer, romanticized by the press and by folk singer Woody Guthrie in his song 'Pretty Boy Floyd'.
    • Era: Early 20th century
    • Notable Heist: Numerous bank robberies across the Midwest
  5. 6
    7
    votes

    Baby Face Nelson

    Known for his violent temper and for being a prolific bank robber during the Great Depression.
    • Era: Early 20th century
    • Notable Heist: The robbery of the First National Bank of Brainerd in Minnesota
  6. 7
    0
    votes

    Butch Cassidy

    Leader of the Wild Bunch gang, known for his charismatic leadership and major train and bank robberies.
    • Era: Late 19th century
    • Notable Heist: The robbery of the First National Bank of Winnemucca, Nevada
  7. 8
    0
    votes

    Lester Gillis (Baby Face Nelson)

    An American bank robber and murderer who became one of the most notorious criminals of the 1930s.
    • Era: Early 20th century
    • Alias: Baby Face Nelson
  8. 9
    0
    votes

    Arthur 'Doc' Barker

    Member of the Barker-Karpis gang, known for their audacious bank robberies and kidnappings in the early 1930s.
    • Era: Early 20th century
    • Notable Heist: Participation in multiple high-profile bank robberies
  9. 10
    0
    votes

    George 'Machine Gun' Kelly

    An American gangster during the Prohibition era whose nickname came from his favorite weapon, a Thompson submachine gun.
    • Era: Early 20th century
    • Notable Heist: Several bank robberies throughout the Midwest

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous bank robber. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or robber is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2052 views
  • 110 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each robber once every 24 hours. The rank of each robber is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Additional Information

More about the Most Famous Bank Robber

Bonnie and Clyde
Rank #1 for the most famous bank robber: Bonnie and Clyde (Source)
Bank robbers have long captured public imagination. Their daring heists, clever disguises, and dramatic getaways make them fascinating figures. The most famous bank robber in history stands out not just for their crimes, but for the way they have become part of popular culture.

In the early 20th century, banks were prime targets. They often stored large sums of cash. Security measures were less advanced than today. Robbers saw an opportunity. They planned their heists with precision. They studied bank layouts and schedules. They knew when to strike for maximum gain.

This robber's early life was marked by hardship. They grew up in a tough environment. From a young age, they learned to fend for themselves. This background shaped their path. They turned to crime as a means of survival. Small thefts led to bigger heists. Eventually, they set their sights on banks.

Their first bank robbery was a success. They entered the bank with confidence. They knew the layout and the routines of the staff. They moved quickly, taking the money and escaping before anyone could react. This success spurred them on. They planned more heists, each one more daring than the last.

Their methods were meticulous. They used disguises to hide their identity. They changed their appearance often. This made it hard for law enforcement to track them. They also had a knack for blending in. They could disappear into a crowd with ease.

Despite their criminal activities, they became a folk hero. The public admired their audacity. They saw the robber as a modern-day Robin Hood. Stories of their exploits spread quickly. Newspapers covered their heists in great detail. This only added to their legend.

Law enforcement was determined to catch them. They formed special task forces. They used the latest technology and techniques. They tracked the robber's movements. But the robber always seemed one step ahead. Their ability to evade capture became legendary.

Their downfall came not from a mistake, but from betrayal. A member of their inner circle turned them in. Law enforcement finally had the break they needed. They moved in quickly, capturing the robber without incident. The trial was a media sensation. The public followed every detail. Despite their crimes, many still saw them as a hero.

In prison, the robber remained a figure of fascination. They gave interviews and wrote memoirs. They reflected on their life and choices. They expressed regret for the harm they caused. But they also took pride in their ability to outsmart the system for so long.

Their story has been told and retold. Books, movies, and documentaries have explored their life. They remain a symbol of rebellion and ingenuity. Their legend endures, a testament to the enduring appeal of the outlaw figure.

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