I think you are right. Real world fame beat online.
Most my fame comes from Star Wars Galaxies. I wrote most the Armorsmith FAQ's on the official site, was the official player rep for Munitions crafting for a bit and was spotlighted by the developers though the actual interview is no longer on the site I think. If I search LeviticusD on google I'll see my faq's posted here and there, but the world has moved on from that train wreck.
Occasionally in a different MMO, I'll get a tell asking if I am that LeviticusD (or "uncle Lizzy" as I was knkown as as well) but that's the end of my fame.