I think there are millions of people like that to various degrees, whether as individuals or as members of supportive communities or societies.

Like many, I've shone the spotlight on or helped many eventually successful people and it's part of "being involved" and using your influence for good whether you're a teacher, coworker, publisher, influencer, or even just voting up posts on HN :-)

We all stand "on the shoulders of giants" but I suspect most successful people are stood on hundreds of giants rather than single pivotal figures.