Which Man Adorned Your Bedroom Walls?
We're all guilty of crushing on a completely unattainable, unimaginably famous star: it's practically a right of passage for every teenager whether you were one in 1960 or 2020. Hollywood has a knack for finding those men who will capture our hearts with not only their classic handsomeness, but their charisma, elegance, and "je ne sais quoi" quality that gives them their undeniable, almost mystical sex appeal. From the golden age of cinema to global internet sensations, here are the 20 biggest male heartthrobs of every generation.
Gabriel Hutchinson Photography on Wikimedia
1. Cary Grant
Cary Grant was one of the biggest actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood. He was classically handsome with twinkly eyes and carefree elegance but also had unmatched comedic ability.
2. Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra is often referred to as "the original teen idol," known for his adoring, somewhat obsessive fanbase of "Bobby Soxers" who would swoon and faint at the sight of him. He had a debonair, cool, and confident sophistication, piercing blue eyes, with a healthy splash of bad boy mystique thrown in.
William P. Gottlieb on Wikimedia
3. Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando rose to prominence for his memorable performance in A Streetcar Named Desire, playing the brutal and abusive lead role. While the character he played certainly wasn't attractive, he couldn't help being, with his intense eyes, athletic physique, and manly features.
Trailer screenshot on Wikimedia
4. Elvis Presley
With a fan base even more intense than Sinatra's bobby Soxers, Elvis Presley's sensual dance moves, rebellious image, and smooth, tender singing voice worked like a love spell. He initiated the kind of mass hysteria that defined the heartthrob generation.
5. James Dean
The quintessential rebel, James Dean's sex appeal lay in his bad boy aesthetic, characterized by his disheveled hair, piercing gaze, and chiseled features. Even though he only starred in three major films before his untimely death, his impact on youth culture was immediate and lasting.
In-house publicity still on Wikimedia
6. Paul Newman
Paul Newman was renowned not only for his acting prowess but for his incredible charisma and good looks too. He had empathic, lightning-blue eyes, rugged masculine features, and an understated coolness.
7. John Travolta
John Travolta stole the hearts of teenagers across the world when he took to the screen in Grease. A bad boy greaser who can sing and dance? Yes, please.
ABC Television Network. on Wikimedia
8. Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze became the stuff of dreams for every woman in the 80s when after starring in Dirty Dancing. His appeal lay not only in his handsome features and athletic physique but in the way he moved his hips.
9. Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford became the crush of the late 1970s as the strong-willed, gruff, but ever-so-handsome Hans Solo in Star Wars. His fame and allure only grew in the 80s when he starred in the massive Indiana Jones franchise, his rugged good looks, anti-hero image, and wry humor stealing hearts and scenes.
10. Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise has been an iconic Hollywood heartthrob for an incredibly long time. He shot to fame in the 1980s and has maintained a unique level of star power ever since. His appeal lies in his legendary smile, intense charisma, and adventurous spirit.
John Mathew Smith on Wikimedia
11. Leonardo DiCaprio
A lifelong actor, Leonardo DiCaprio had already garnered critical attention for his early acting roles, but his status as a sex symbol was only solidified after he starred in such films as Titanic and Romeo + Juliet. His boyish good looks, youthful charm, and immense talent that transcended "pretty boy" status gave him an adoring fan base.
12. Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt was the face of Hollywood in the 90s and everyone's reference for optimal handsomeness. He possesses a classic, almost archetypal handsomeness that's so striking it almost distracts from his acting chops which are genuinely impressive.
13. George Clooney
The quintessential "silver fox," George Clooney became a monumental heartthrob of the 90s after starring in the medical drama ER. His appeal lies in his suave persona, charisma, wit, and smooth voice that sounds like if dark chocolate could talk, and like fine wine, he seems to get better with age.
14. Johnny Depp
In stark contrast to the typical "all-American" heartthrob, Johnny Depp had a more brooding, rebellious, and artistic appeal. His boyish yet chiseled face adorned countless bedroom walls in the 90s and despite his best efforts to shake his teen idol status, his striking handsomeness had other plans for him and it continued well into the 2000s.
Fox Broadcasting Company on Wikimedia
15. Will Smith
Will Smith rose to prominence after starring in the hit 90s TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air which showcased his fresh, handsome face as well as his refreshing comedic talent. He went on to star in some of the biggest blockbusters of the 90s, further solidifying his status as one of the most charismatic, lovable, and swoon-worthy stars of the decade.
16. Zac Effron
Zac Effron shot to fame after starring in 2006's High School Musical which immediately earned him an almost cult-like following of adoring teenagers. His beautiful face, infectious energy, and charisma made him incredibly appealing, especially to younger audiences, and he matured with his roles, transforming with time from an adorable boy to a chiseled and strikingly handsome man.
17. Ryan Gosling
There's perhaps no one more lovable in Hollywood than Ryan Gosling. He started as a child star but solidified his place as a romantic lead and cultural crush in the mid-2000s with such films as The Notebook. His traditional handsomeness blended with his goofiness and immense talent (not to mention his insane abs) give him an enormously wide appeal.
18. Harry Styles
Harry Styles got his start as one-fifth of the boy band One Direction, but his fame as a solo artist, actor, and fashion icon has allowed his fame to continually grow. His genuine charisma makes him insanely likable while his classic good looks, lean build, and fearlessness in breaking down gender stereotypes have made him a heartthrob.
19. Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan became one of the biggest heartthrobs of the 2010s after starring in such blockbusters as Creed and Black Panther. He's immensely loved for his easy charisma, sharp fashion sense, charming smile, sculpted physique, and symmetrical features.
Joan Hernandez Mir on Wikimedia
20. Pedro Pascal
The "daddy of the internet," Pedro Pascal is easily the most significant heartthrob of the current day. Although he rose to fame rather late in life, his more mature brand of handsomeness has only enhanced his appeal. His allure isn't just from his looks but from his amazingly endearing, cheeky, and unpretentious off-screen persona.
