Classic Hollywood is a time of the past, and this list of hottest Hollywood actors is here to prove it. Old Hollywood leading men and today's heartthrobs are two completely different categories.
See our list of 15 Hollywood's hottest actors of all time that were both, handsome and talented beyond their time and who are forever timeless.
Quiz: Discover Your Ideal Hollywood Heartthrob
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1. Paul Newman
Paul Newman dazzled audiences with his performances in movies like The Hustler, Cool Hand Luke, and Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, but nothing can compare to the dazzle of his gorgeous eyes!
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Paul Newman was one of the most iconic and beloved actors of all time. He was born in 1925 in Ohio and attended Ohio University. After a stint in the Navy, he moved to New York to pursue an acting career.
Newman made his debut in the Broadway production of Picnic in 1953 and made his big screen debut in The Silver Chalice in 1954. He rose to fame in the late 1950s with his performance as the anti-hero in The Hustler, for which he earned his first Academy Award nomination. He later starred in Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and The Sting, earning two Academy Awards and seven nominations in total.
Throughout his career, Newman was known for his stunning blue eyes and his commitment to philanthropy. He established the Newman's Own food line in 1982, which has since donated more than $400 million to charities around the world. He also helped to found the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps, a series of camps for children with serious illnesses.
2. Cary Grant
Cary Grant is regarded as one of Hollywood’s definitive leading men, he possessed the golden ticket combination of incredible acting talent, a suave debonair nature, and classic good looks!
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Cary Grant was born in 1904 in Bristol, England and began his career in theater before moving to Hollywood in the 1930s. Throughout his career, Grant starred in over 70 films, including classics such as North by Northwest, Charade, and The Philadelphia Story. He was nominated for two Academy Awards and was awarded an honorary Oscar in 1970. Grant was also known for his impeccable style, often wearing custom tailored suits and hats. He was married five times and had one daughter. Grant died in 1986 at the age of 82. He is remembered as one of Hollywood's most beloved leading men.
Frequently asked questions
The article highlights iconic actors like Marlon Brando, Paul Newman, and Cary Grant, who were considered to have set a high standard for attractiveness in their time.
Fans might find the charm and elegance of classic Hollywood actors unmatched compared to modern ones, often citing their timeless appeal and captivating screen presence as reasons.
Certainly! Icons like James Dean, Gregory Peck, and Clark Gable are still revered for their handsome features and remain symbols of classic Hollywood allure.
Yes, the article mentions actors like Milo Ventimiglia and Sam Claflin, who are often compared to old Hollywood stars due to their striking looks and charisma.
An actor might be considered 'hot' or 'handsome' based on a combination of physical attractiveness, charm, on-screen performances, and their ability to captivate audiences with their presence.
3. James Dean
Due to his tragic premature death aged just 24 in 1955, James Dean has remained a painfully beautiful symbol of teenage rebellion. His is forever immortalized as the drop dead gorgeous guy that you wouldn’t want to being home to your parents!
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With his brooding good looks and a smoldering presence that screamed bad boy, Dean captured hearts with his performances in "Rebel Without a Cause" and "East of Eden". He crafted iconic characters that resonated with the youthful angst of the 1950s. His enigmatic allure and flawless acting chops shine on, outlasting fleeting trends. A cultural icon, Dean lives on as the archetypal figure of youthful disillusionment and defiance, his legacy untouched by the passage of time. His raw intensity and magnetic screen presence continually inspire new generations, proving some stars truly never fade.
4. Gregory Peck
Another true giant of classic Hollywood is Gregory Peck. While he may not have had the raw sex appeal of James Dean, he sure knew how to rock a suit or a casual plaid shirt!
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Peck's chiseled jawline and towering presence gave his characters a dignified allure, making moviegoers swoon. His most iconic role as Atticus Finch in "To Kill A Mockingbird" showcased his ability to exude integrity and warmth, solidifying his spot as a silver screen heartthrob. Those piercing eyes and the effortless elegance with which he delivered lines left a timeless imprint of sophistication. He made being a gentleman look incredibly seductive, weaving charm and moral fortitude into an irresistible package. 😍 Whether in a courtroom drama or a wartime epic, Peck was the epitome of Hollywood nobility.
5. Warren Beatty
If the infamous fumble at this year’s Academy Awards is anything to go by, you might not want Warren Beatty in charge of the bigger reveals, but the Oscar winner sure was easy on the eyes in the prime of his movie career!
6. Montgomery Clift
Look up suave in the dictionary and you will be sure to find a heavenly picture of a young Montgomery Clift on the page. A girl could get lost in those eyes for hours!
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Montgomery Clift wasn't just a heartthrob with looks that could set the room on fire; he was an acting powerhouse whose intensity on screen was just as captivating as his chiseled features. With a debut that marked the onset of a new kind of male star, Clift embodied a vulnerability that was irresistible. Whether he was bringing the brooding charm in A Place in the Sun or showcasing his raw emotion in From Here to Eternity, Clift's acting chops were as swoon-worthy as his smoldering gaze and his perfectly tousled hair. He truly was the full package—sensitivity and strength wrapped up in one dashing figure.
7. Clark Gable
No actor earns the title ‘King of Hollywood’ without having the dashing good looks to back it up! The legendary Clarke Gable, best known for his role as heartbreaker Rhett Butler in the classic Gone With The Wind, certainly had the looks to wear the crown!
8. Robert Redford
Brad Pitt, anyone? Seriously, how can these two gorgeous leading men not be related? I guess we have to give the credit to Redford on this one, as he was the original and arguably the most dashing of the two!
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Indeed, Robert Redford set the gold standard for Hollywood heartthrobs with his sun-kissed good looks and effortless charm. With timeless roles in classics like "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "The Way We Were", Redford didn't just grace the silver screen; he bewitched it. His blue-eyed gaze and roguish smile aren't just swoon-worthy; they're the stuff of cinematic legend, captivating audiences across generations. Even today, he exudes that same magnetic allure that once made him the poster boy of American cinema's golden age.
9. Steve McQueen
To be labelled the ‘Bad Boy of Hollywood’ is nothing unless you have devastatingly good looks, and legendary actor and dare devil motor enthusiast Steve McQueen certainly had no problems in that department!
10. Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando is not only one of the greatest actors of all time, at his prime, he was also one of the most insanely gorgeous. Just look at those arms - I’ll take a hug from those bad boys any day!
11. Farley Granger
Farley Granger was made famous thanks to his legendary collaborations with director Alfred Hitchcock, providing great performances and some much needed eye candy in what were usually tense and scary movies!
12. Burt Lancaster
Due to hus rugged good looks, Burt Lancaster started out his career playing a series of stereotypical ‘tough guys’, but the gorgeous actor’s talent soon shone through and he went on to enjoy one of the most celebrated careers in classic Hollywood.
13. Henry Fonda
Look at Henry Fonda’s eyes, who else do you see? That’s right, the effortlessly handsome legendary actor shares more than passing resemblance to his equally famous Oscar winning daughter Jane. Good genes in that family, right!?
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With those piercing blue eyes and a chiselled jawline, Henry Fonda was the epitome of Hollywood's golden era charm. His legacy in film is timeless, starring in classics like The Grapes of Wrath and 12 Angry Men. Not just a heartthrob but a towering talent, Fonda's charisma and sharp features are echoed in his children, proving that star quality certainly runs in the family. Ladies, he wasn't just red carpet royalty, he was bona fide cinema nobility.
14. Tony Curtis
There was something magical about peak era Tony Curtis; those boyish good looks mixed with a mature and macho charisma were a combination to die for! He wasn’t rugged like some of his peers; he was simply beautiful!
15. Rock Hudson
Rock Hudson was one of the true poster boys of his era with perfect, All-American good looks. The legendary actor’s tragic life story is one of Hollywood’s most prominent and socially important tales.
Who do you think is a classic Hollywood hunk? Share in the comments!
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Comments
Eva:Good list of classic handsome actors. Sidney Poitier and Kirk Douglas.
Mercedez:Errol flynn
Gaby_:Jimmy Stewart!
Leanne:Gene kelly
Habbie:A shame for you to put him in a 15th place. Cary Grant and Rock Hudson are the best.
George:There are much more actors like Glen Ford, Clint Eastwood, Charlton Huston, James Granger, George Peppard, John Wayne, Denzel Washington, and Clint Walker
Mercedez:Yea, they Are really hot too
Skeeta:Tyrone Power
Skeeta:Tyrone Power… Non can compare in looks !!
James:#my is james and a lot of people say I look like Robert Redford.
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