For a famous or highly skilled person:
* Icon
* Titan
* Master
* Guru
* Pioneer
* Trailblazer
* Superstar
* Phenomenon
* Giant
For a traditional story:
* Myth
* Folklore
* Tale
* Story
* Antidote
* Narrative
* Saga
* Ballad
For something widely known and accepted as true, but not necessarily proven:
* Rumor
* Myth
* Urban legend
* Tall tale
* Folk tale
* Anecdote
The best alternative will depend on the specific meaning you want to convey.