Mine is Jose Raul Capablanca as he got me to fall in love with endgames.
As far as chess strength goes, it is Fabiano Caruana because I think he has the greatest chance of winning the World Championship in the next 10 years for USA. For entertainment value, it has become Grischuk. I didn't like him at first when I interviewed him but he is just absolutely hilarious.
Mine is the pawn! I tell students this because well, it can turn into the most powerful piece, the queen!