Sort of. What many have not mentioned is that many players have multiple accounts. Most people I know in Nullsec have at least one extra account in high sec in addition to others. The purpose of that account can be anything from a "industrial" alt to pay for the "PvP" alt's toys to a mission runner to a character that can actually go into high sec (in the case of pirates who have done many ~bad things~ and are thus not allowed to play in the kindergarten). The extra account is by no means necessary, I got mine to be able to do things that a single account can not such as lighting a beacon for my capital ship to jump through, or scout my route in a cheap ship so that I do not loose an expensive one to a trap (que Admiral Akbar). So, that statistic is not entirely accurate as a significant (no idea what size, I have 4 characters in high sec and 2 in null sec among 3 accounts) chunk of the 80% are alts of the 20%.
As far as "larger than life" heroes... There is a gamut of people who may qualify. Most have earned it for ~bad~ things, but some like Chribba (mentioned above) have earned the title for their trustworthiness. A few examples off of the top of my head: Kartoon (disbanding/allowing to fail Goonswarm with much hilarity to outsiders, he forgot to pay the bills, allegedly on purpose); SirMolle (running arguably the largest, most powerful alliance in the game, now and before), Kargoth (spelling?... disgruntled top-level director ("assistant leader") that disbanded largest alliance in Eve at the time..SirMolle's Band of Brothers).
So, just as in life, everyone can not become elite, by definition, but it is indeed possible to become famous or infamous. Just like in life, people seek to elevate themselves at a more immediate level rather than on the global area. Just like in more traditional MMOs, this can be bling (super ships/modules), or the must less common aspect of superior skill and strategy. (If you want to comment that Eve has little skill or strategy in combat, then stop shotting NPCs and try your hand at PvP). People can become leaders of smaller groups, maybe becoming one of the "big boys" in time. People can become filthy rich via industrial and trade activities (and also never may an once of real money to play by using in game currently to buy game cards, a great innovation as well).