| 100% | JEFFGILLOOLY | 12 | Ex-husband of 17-Across who helped plan the knee-clubbing of 28-Across: 2 wds. |
| 52% | TONYAHARDING | 12 | Now-disgraced figure skater indirectly implicated in the knee-clubbing of 28-Across: 2 wds. |
| 45% | MARYSHELLEY | 11 | Author who began writing 28-Across at the age of 18: 2 wds. |
| 45% | THOMASRHETT | 11 | 17-Across and 28-Across singer who was the 2019 Academy of Country Music's Male Artist of the Year (2 wds.) |
| 45% | JAMESMCAVOY | 11 | "X-Men: Apocalypse" star who played the title character of 28-Across in a 2015 movie: 2 wds. |
| 45% | RICHARDGERE | 11 | Actor who accepted the role of Edward in 17-Across: 2 wds. |
| 44% | JOSEPHCOTTEN | 12 | Actor who played a reporter and friend of the title character in 17-Across: 2 wds. |
| 43% | WILLIAMHOLDEN | 13 | "Stalag 17" Oscar-winning actor who makes 28-Across flustered in the "L.A. at Last!" episode of "I Love Lucy" (2 wds.) |
| 43% | BURTREYNOLDS | 12 | "Smokey and the Bandit" actor who turned down the role of Edward in 17-Across: 2 wds. |
| 42% | ANNEHECHE | 9 | Actress who starred in the 1998 remake of 49-Across: 2 wds. |
| 42% | LUPITANYONGO | 12 | "Us" actress who stars in the 2024 prequel of 13-Across: 2 wds. |
| 41% | JAMESFRANCO | 11 | "This Is the End" actor who is on Lohan's list of ex-lovers: 2 wds. |
| 41% | JAYLENBROWN | 11 | 28-Across guard who was named Most Valuable Player of the 2024 NBA Finals (2 wds.) |
| 41% | JOSEPHQUINN | 11 | "Stranger Things" actor who stars in the 2024 prequel of 13-Across: 2 wds. |
| 41% | STPAT | 5 | Irish figure who's the focus of March 17, familiarly: 2 wds., abbr. |
| 41% | BINGCROSBY | 10 | Crooner who sings "I've Got Plenty to Be Thankful For" in the Thanksgiving scene of 17-Across (2 wds.) |
| 41% | KENNYROGERS | 11 | Country Music Hall of Fame singer who collaborated with 17-Across and 28-Across (2 wds.) |
| 40% | JONSTEWART | 10 | Host of "The Daily Show" between 28- and 17-Across (1999-2015): 2 wds. |
| 40% | BEATRIXPOTTER | 13 | Author/illustrator who created the title character of 18-Across: 2 wds. |
| 40% | HAKEEMOLAJUWON | 14 | Hall of Fame center who signed with the Raptors in 2001 after 17 seasons with the Rockets: 2 wds. |
| 40% | LEAHREMINI | 10 | "The King of Queens" actress who's in the season 17 "Dancing With the Stars" cast: 2 wds. |
| 40% | NANCYKERRIGAN | 13 | Figure skater who was the victim of a 1/6/94 knee-clubbing but won a silver medal in the Olympics seven weeks later: 2 wds. |
| 40% | KARYNPARSONS | 12 | Actress who played the snobbish cousin of 17-Across in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," which is rumored to be getting a reunion: 2 wds. |
| 40% | CHLOEKIM | 8 | American snowboarder who won an Olympic gold medal at the age of 17: 2 wds. |
| 40% | RACHELMCADAMS | 13 | 34-Across costar who plays the former flame of 15-Across: 2 wds. |
| 40% | BLUEBEETLE | 10 | DC Comics superhero who is the alter ego of 42-Across: 2 wds. |
| 40% | RALPHELLISON | 12 | 14-Across and 28-Across novelist who was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1985 (2 wds.) |
| 40% | PHILDONAHUE | 11 | Husband of 13-Across who won nine Emmys for hosting his daytime talk show: 2 wds. |
| 40% | SAMROCKWELL | 11 | Actor who plays the father in the 2015 remake of 18-Across: 2 wds. |
| 40% | PHOEBEBRIDGERS | 14 | "Sidelines" singer who is one of the three members of 16-Across: 2 wds. |