"In the Spawn comic book series, Todd McFarlane created a mob enforcer character named Antonio "Tony Twist" Twistelli,[2] who McFarlane acknowledged was named after Tony Twist. Twist won a $15 million verdict in 2004 when a St. Louis, Missouri jury found Todd McFarlane Productions had profited from Twist's likeness.[3] The verdict was upheld after two appeals in June 2006.[4] In 2007, Twist and McFarlane settled the lawsuit out of court for $5 million.[5][6]" Long story short - generally not, for living figures. For dead, historical personages it's another story but still not 100% safe.

For living figures you can pretty much forget it. For historical figures you are generally OK but there still may be restrictions so it could be worth speaking to a lawyer.