Thanks to Michelle Styles and Cat Marters, my Bitchery correspondents from across the pond, I have a link that gave Candy and myself a good half-hour of enjoyment. Seems the RNA has voted amongst its membership to come up with the perfect romantic heroes. Details? But of course!
Members of the Romantic Novelists’ Association have voted Johnny Depp as the Number One Perfect Romantic Hero in a poll to mark Valentine’s Day. According to these authors, a romantic hero should be gorgeous, deliciously sexy, intensely masculine and have a commanding presence.
‘We should be qualified to judge,’ one writer commented. ‘After all, we create these heroes on paper every day.’
The top ten male celebrities voted the Perfect Romantic Hero were:
1. Johnny Depp
2. Daniel Craig
3. Sean Bean
4. Richard Armitage
5. Hugh Jackman
6. Colin Firth
7. Alan Rickman
8. Pierce Brosnan
9. George Clooney
10. David TennantA second poll, taken by members of the RNA bravely admitting to being ‘over a certain age’, voted for male celebrities over fifty who’ve ‘still got it’. Remarkable for his appearance on both polls, Pierce Brosnan took the crown for the over fifties by a huge margin.
The top ten Over-Fifty Perfect Romantic Heroes were:
1. Pierce Brosnan
2. Harrison Ford
3. Ranulph Fiennes
4. Bill Nighy
5. Liam Neeson
6. Sam Neill
7. Sean Connery
8. Peter O’Toole
9. Clint Eastwood
10. Omar Sharif
Sarah: I can think of many dudes who would make a better romantic hero than some of these fellows.
And what is up with the homogenized list o’ white dudes?
Candy: I
<3 Johnny Depp as much as the next girl. I mean, I've had a hard-on for him for over 20 years. But "intensely masculine"? Dude, part of the reason why he's so hot is because he flirts heavily with androgyny and masculine stereotypes.
And yeah, most of these guys seem to be “sensitive character actor” types. Were they specifically looking at actors?
Hot non-white actors:
Andy Lau (bitch, you knew this was coming)
Takeshi Kaneshiro (you knew this was coming, too)
Chow Yuen Fat
Jet Li
Denzel Washington (who in their right mind doesn’t think he’s hot?)
Omar Epps
Lawrence Fishburne (he’s really not my physical type–too big and burly–but something about his physicality is tres sexy)
Tyrese (I haven’t seen him in any good movies, really, but for sheer eye candy…. Goddamn.)
Also: if Morgan Freeman weren’t old enough to be my grandfather, I’d totally hit it. Hard.
Sarah: I see you on Omar Epps, and totally knew Andy Lau was coming (hur) even though his spangly silver pants scare me a little.
I raise you (hur hur):
Alejandro Sanz (hot guitarist)
Javier Bardem
Alejandro Fernández
And hell, if we’re talking Of a Certain Age, Clint Eastwood is fine.
And the reason Depp is hot is exactly as you say: he preserves his masculinity while playing with lithe androgyny.
Heck, let’s not limit it to guys – what about heroines? There are some truly heroic and stunning women out there, too.
Candy: Katee Sackhoff
Laura Prepon
Emma Thompson
Helena Bonham-Carter
Hmmm. Not too many other names are coming to mind, because most actresses are thin to the point of looking wasted, which isn’t attractive to me. I tend to like my girls a bit more muscular. (Bonham-Carter is scary-thin, except she’s incredibly talented and has this mild edge of HOLYSHITCRAZY, which is hot. It’s the same thing with PJ Harvey.)
Sarah: I could stare at Keira Knightley, except I wish that she didn’t disappear when she turns sideways. It’s a shame, that part.
And dude. Catherine Deneuve must be the proof of alien life the Scientologists have been looking for, because she’s so ineffably stunning. Gives me hope that I may age 1/1000th as gracefully.
So who is your hero or heroine of choice? Pics, links, bring ‘em on!
i had to delurk (again) for this one…Cillian Murphy/Jonathan Rhys Meyers/Jon Stewart, or Patrick Stewart for the “over a certain age category.”
heroines: Rose Byrne, Romola Garai, Elaine Cassidy, Naomi Harris.
it’s not like i spend a lot of time thinking about this or anything…
Which just proves how individual we are in these matters. Because IMO some of these are hot, some are not, and they missed some real cuties!
Well, if we don’t have to stick to actors-i’m going to go with a writer-Neil Gaiman-that vaguely gothy look, the sheepdog hair, the accent, er. yeah.
Heroine-Claire Danes.
I’m not sure who would be my picks except that I wholeheartedly agree with the pick of Richard Armitage. His performance in “North and South” should be a performance all other actors aspire to when trying to be broody and OMG!Hot.
Hmm. Add Jamie Bamber to that list as well. He may be shorter than I prefer but by god he works it for all he’s worth.
As for heroines, I agree with Candy’s list, but I would also add Catherine Zeta-Jones and Rachel Weisz.
I’m sorry, Johnny Depp =/ intensely masculine. One of the reasons I love him (and love Jack Sparrow) is his rather fey demeanor. He’s not quite to David Bowie levels of androgynous, but he’s not far off.
And androgyny = h0tt. Give me a boy in eyeliner any day.
(Hee!! Spambot word: married57. Nope. Which is why I’m spending yet another V-day w/ yummy yummy chinese food, a glass of wine, and an affectionate kitty.)
No list is complete without Denzel Washington, and I completely adore Will Smith. Chow Yun Fat must be on the list. Where’s Antonio Banderas?
Yep, Johnny Depp is tops because he is not overwhelmingly male.
I also second Patrick Stewart for the still got it over fifty. Wouldn’t kick him out of bed for eating crackers.
For Hero:
George Clooney, Cary Elwes, Robert Redford, Liam Neeson, Eric Bana, Clive Owen, Ewan MacGregor, Brendan Fraser,
For Heroine:
Catherine Zeta-Jones, Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock, Lauren Bacall, Kate Beckinsale
Yeah, where did Antonio Banderas go? And Will Smith? And totally Chow Yun Fat (over Jet Li, not a big Jet Li gal). And if we can expand into other categories, I gotta go with Ricky Martin. I know, I know, he might not play with my team, but still. Hunky and manly! I’ll also add Patrick Stewart to the over-50’s category. I will have to say, not so big a fan of Han Solo these days. I do believe his time has come and gone. But in his hey day; hoo-baby!
Ladies: Can we say Halle Berry? Or Jada Pinket-Smith? Or um, crap, see what the flu does to the brain…the chick in the new Eye movie; and Shakira-but only if she just stands there. All that moving around makes my head dizzy. And before she died, I would have listed Jessica Tandy as listing in the over 50; her whole demeanor was just beatuous.
any25: in the last four days, 25 minutes is about how much sleep I’ve gotten at any one time. damn flu.
I agree with most, especially Richard Armitage because Gawddamn.
I have a couple for the multi cultural file
1. Shahrukh Khan
2. Vincent Perez ( Think Queen Margot)
3. Giampaolo Morelli (Anyone seen Ginger and Cinnamon)
4. Oded Fehr
5. Ramon Tikaram
and my over fifty multi-cultural addition
Kôji Yakusho
Christopher Eccleston—never saw him before Dr. Who, but he brought a kind of working class scruf to the role. Helen Mirren—I thought she was hot as Jane Tennant. Robson Green as Tony in Wire in the Blood. Amanda Burton in Silent Witness. That show was not the same after she left.
I know, I’m such a British TV Geek.
Another vote for Shahrukh Khan. Also Fardeen Khan, Abhishek Bachchan (and his father Amitabh in the over-50 category), Govinda, and Tushar Kapoor.
I loves me some Bollywood.
I second Rachel Weisz. Also always been a Julia Stiles fan (Of the Bourne movies amongst others)l; I like her because she’s a real person size.
Where’s my Keifer? I’d marry Jack Bauer in a heartbeat – and I’ve noticed the lists seem to focus on the characters these people play more than the people themselves. (see George Clooney who flirts a bit too close to androgyny for my taste).
A HUGE SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! for number 4 – although he’s my numero uno!!
Where’s the love for Matt Damon? I mean, seriously, ladies. And Don Cheadle. You don’t need ten, cause two will do.
I can’t pick chicks – don’t have the eye.
Oooh, Oded Fehr. WANT.
Matthew Gray Gubler (from Criminal Minds…geekiness is a fetish of mine) and Cate Blanchett.
*sigh*
Some who haven’t been mentioned yet:
Gael Garcia Bernal
Adam Beach
Jason Momoa
Djimon Hounsou
Over 50:
Hellloooo, Paul Newman!
Ian McKellen is gay but that’s not stopping me from lusting after him in my heart.
Charles Dutton is a big old cutie pie.
Heroines: Tilda Swinton, Jennifer Tilly, Salma Hayek, Angela Bassett
forgot timothy dalton! sweet lord, that man is gorg.
and oded fehr reminded me of eric shweig from last of the mohicans and that in turn reminded me of adam beech from smoke signals…mmmmm…
i second takeshi kaneshiro, and rachel weisz. and what about zhang ziyi? and li gong and michelle yeoh from memoirs of a geisha (at least, that’s why they are linked in my mind.)
you know, i really should not get going on topics like these.
Kostas Martakis
His eyes..OMG
Hmmm… Will Smith, John Cusack, David Duchovny, and for the over-50’s—Matt Lauer and Bruce Springsteen.. And yes, Tyrese is just absolutely beautiful, as is Tyson Beckford
Jeremy Irons. You know it.
In the still young category – James Marsden – JAMES MARSDEN. Every movie he’s in must be science fictional because it’s physically impossible for him to lose that many girlfriends to people like Ryan Gosling.
Also – Patrick Dempsey. Dude has aged VERY well. He + James Marsden = “Enchanted” Manwich.
Oh how could I forget James Marsden. Good god, I spent 2 hours watching him in 27 Dresses (in which he finally gets the girl) just marveling at how very well put together he is.
Gerard Butler
… le sigh
OK I have to ask this.
Who is crazy sexier
Helena Bonham-Carter
or
Angelina Jolie
Both scare me, but both are hot.
Milo, er, Peter from Heroes
Jensen Ackles
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Salma Hayek is my all-time favorite girl crush. Oh, and Monica Bellucci.
Oh, I’m as straight as can be but I totally hear you with the Katee Sackohff call. Sigh…
POST PICTURES, LADIES!!
I’m toggling between the comments here and Google images (Takeshi Kaneshiro, oh my yes), and as fun as that is proving, if we could have zillion Hoff macros here in the comments, then we can see some Oded Fehr in the flesh too.
Use the following html code to insert an image in your comment(but make sure the picture is not too big upon the screen):
<img scr=“website address”>
‘website address’ must be the URL that leads to the picture. For example, inserting:
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/img/arias/daniel_johns_g.jpg
into the above code gives you pretty, pretty Daniel Johns from Silverchair:
Crap. Of course there’s a typo. The code you should be using is:
<img src=“website address”>
(i.e. I switched the “r” and “c” in “src”)
Here goblin, King Khan
I can’t come up with any different nominees for hero, as the ones mentioned are all hot hot hot!
For heroines, I submit Lena Headey. Throw Summer Glau in there too. (Can you tell I’m liking the new Terminator series just a touch?)
Teddypig, I think Angelina has crazy sexy all over HBC, but I like Helena too.
Two words: Taye. Diggs.
The smile, those abs, that singing voice.
*SWOON*
Also, I’m deeply glad someone brought up Oded Fehr. SOOOOOO hot!
And, yeah, he’s pure white bread, but I’d like a side of Jeffrey Dean Morgan served up to me. He’s all big…and brawny. Love him!
Lol, finally a use for all those multicultural classes I’m taking. =)
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
2. Fernando Colunga
3. William Levy Gutierrez (google him now, just go do it!)
4. Jaime Camil
5. Enrique Iglesias
6. Clive Owen
7. Iker Cassillas
I’m an exception to the universal female rule, because I’d drink beer with Johnny Depp but I wouldn’t sleep with him. I dunno. If you watch “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” a few times all thoughts of sex just die off.
Not a bad list but Clive Owen is my number one hero and I’ve been in and out of love with Brad Pitt for fifteen years. Oh, and Clooney – just gorgeous.
For non-white, Sendhil Ramamurthy from Heroes burns my retinas. That man is beautiful.
Girl-crushes: Angelina Jolie, Rachel Weisz, Scarlett Johanssen, Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore…
Teddy Pig, Angelina Jolie has the crazy sexy going on, but we must also love HBC for her early normal girl work. She’s so innocent in Room with a view.
James Purefoy
Rufus Sewell
Sendhil Ramamurthy
Will Smith (he is just so incredibly charming)
Christopher Eccleston
Toby Stephens
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Peter O’Toole could be my (great?-)grandfather, but I would probably still jump him if I thought I could get away with it. (Also, David Bowie.) Cary Grant, if he weren’t dead. Montgomery Clift if he weren’t dead and tragically gay.
And my Pretty Boy pick is Karan Panthaky, even though I’ve only ever seen him in one thing.
YES to Denzel Washington, and to Morgan Freeman and Chow Yun Fat. Also yes to the very different appeal of androgynes, but that’s not what we get in traditional romance, is it girls?
Ewan MacGregor. Liam Neeson. Ralph AND Joseph Fiennes (like I’d survive THAT). Ioan Gruffudd. I want to get some of those Scots, Irishmen and Welsh dudes in here, because I love me those accents. And I gravitate to them over the Greek/Italian/Spanish types in romance heroes. And a big FAT yes to Alan Rickman, anywhere, anytime.
Can we put Robert Redford in there with Paul Newman? And I’m going to pretend that Gregory Peck is still alive…hmmm, hmmm, hmmmm……
*Oded Fehr
*Naveen Andrews
*Colin Firth
*Gerard friggin’ Butler
*And Johnny Depp, for regency fop heroes (Georgette Heyer, anyone?)
I would do dirty, dirty things to these men. Gleefully. Sadly, Harrison Ford has fallen off this list (old age sure did catch up with that man in a hurry…)
I’ve always had a thing for Jeff Goldblum. Second Gael Garcia Bernal. And up one Lenny Kravitz.
My fav girl is Angie Harmon. Dark hair, smoky voice, great actress.
Oh yes, and a side note on the poll itself. Why do you suppose the general membership chose Alan Rickman in the top ten, but he didn’t make the “Over Fifty” list? The man is 62, and obviously he’s still “got it” or he wouldn’t be on the other list, LOL.
I think that’s fascinating.
OMG Takeshi Kaneshiro. He has a FABULOUS smile.
Also? Shin Koyamada. He whom we dubbed “the Japanese Orlando Bloom” until he whipped out the bow in The Last Samurai, at which point we started calling him “the Japanese Legolas” instead.
Taye Diggs, too. He’s got lovely bone structure.