While different in personality from RPF, Gell-Mann's range of interests and abilities is even more inspiring. I can't locate it now, but I recall the anecdote of him learning Swahili on the plane ride over. Here's a profile of him:

http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/08/magazine/the-man-who-knows...

Or check out his Santa Fe homepage to appreciate his incredible range of interests.

http://tuvalu.santafe.edu/~mgm/Site/Front_Page.html