In our local newspaper there recently appeared an obituary headline that read "U. theater icon Robert Wilson dies." This called my attention to a use of "icon" that I have recently noticed in other headlines and in other places; that is, the use of the word to label people that have distinguished themselves in one way or another like "pop icon," "Hollywood icon." "Senate icon," etc. Have you observed this usage, and what do you think of it? I think it's quite silly and deserves to be laughed out of the language if possible. ( This is is no way a disparagement of Robert Wilson. I think he deserves a more meaningful label than the one the headline writer used.)

At least it is preferable to "idol". And the religious usage of "icon" has been supplanted by its use in computer language, so it isn't remotely blasphemous now. What short handy substitute can you offer?

Since in theatrical parlance to die means to flop or fail to deliver a convincing performance or production, I think the hed has a double meaning for those who read it ....AND given the nature of the deceased's profession/avocation, many theater people would!
Perhaps something more applicable to his actual theater work would be better ....
Producer Robert Wilson dead
Dramatist Robert Wilson dead
Actor, manager, etc etc.
As for "icon" ... too many taking the easy word.
Now, in my day ...(old-time Editor maundering on ...)
wow