Well-known 和famous 同义,但没有famous 词义强.
Famous 多用于好的意思；well-known 可用于好的意思,也可用于坏的意思.
例如：
The city is well-known for its scenery.这个城市以风景出名.
He is well-known for his absent-minded.他总是心不在焉,人所共知.
He is famous.
He is well known for his prose.
Hawaii used to be a famous tourist resort.
Hawaii is well known as a tourist resort.