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Seven Supporting Actors Who Are Sexier Than The Leading Man

In defense of Pete Campbell and Ron Weasley.

By Erin Bradley

For every hot actor in Hollywood, there's an even hotter one getting less love from the Twitter mafia. Rupert Grint may have fans for his portrayal of Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series, but unlike Daniel Radcliffe, he sure as hell doesn't have his own Halloween costume for dogs. Let's attempt to right that wrong with this list of our favorite second bananas, all of them considerably firmer and riper than their starring counterparts.

7. Philip Michael Thomas as Detective Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs, Miami Vice

Philip Michael Thomas as Detective Ricardo Tubbs, Miami Vice

All you nouveau dandies take note: here's a man who had swagger long before deodorant manufacturers made it a marketable commodity. Crockett was cool, but Tubbs was cooler, and he didn't need to rely on facial stubble or elaborate ploys to meet women. That's right, we're talking to you, Sonny, with your pet alligator and cheesy houseboat. Sure, the Jheri curl ‘do was a little dated, even back then, but it compared to Crockett, Tubbs had better suits and a better sense of humor. A tip of the bikini top to you, detective.

6. Orlando Bloom as Will Turner, Pirates of the Caribbean 

Orlando Bloom as Will Turner, Pirates of the Carribean

How such a gorgeous specimen gets overlooked in favor of Johnny Depp with a Captain Lou Albano beard we'll never know. What we do know is that Mr. Bloom makes a heck of a blacksmith-turned-swashbuckler, from the top of his finely boned head to the tip of his prettier-than-yours toes. And yet Turner's impeccable face appears on movie posters one-tenth as much as Sparrow's. We call bullshit. Yes, Depp's a better actor, but come on — look at the man — this is show business. Genetic gifts count. Orlando, if you ever feel like talking, we're right outside your trailer.

5. Anthony Edwards as Goose, Top Gun

"I feel the need... to relieve you of your flight suit." Top Gun's top gun wasn't Maverick, with his douchewad karaoke and post-coitus roses on pillows. Nor was it Iceman, with his Clairol Frost & Tip highlights and gum-chomping Gary Busey smile. Goose was the one with the dimples, bedhead, and hip-before-its-time smut 'stache who could play both wingman and devoted family man with equal zeal. Cruise may have gotten the glory, but it was Edwards who made us cry into our pillows. Here's a guy who knows it's better to make an early exit and settle into a nice, respectable medical drama than have your character live on, get into a crazy alien religion, and creep out every man, woman, and child in Hollywood.

4. Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, Harry Potter

Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, Harry Potter

Ron takes a beating as dutiful right-hand man to Harry Potter and on-again off-again plaything for Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, suffering through broken bones, a bout with some chocolate-covered roofies, and nearly being eaten by an enormous arachnid. His reward? A rat for a pet, hand-me-down threads, and the world's most lame-ass magic wand. Ron, you're a good kid. Actually, you're a man now. Which means it's okay to say that you're a total fox — from that shaggy hair to those doll baby eyes to that transcendent coloring, like some sort of knight who stepped off a Renaissance tapestry. Your costar, on the other hand, looks like Frodo and Alan Thicke had a baby. Here's hoping you get your due, or at least a break from the spiders, in the next sequel.

3. Leonard Nimoy as Spock, Star Trek

Leonard Nimoy as Spock, Star Trek

The title of U.S.S. Enterprise ladykiller-in-chief is generally given to shirtless alien-humper James T. Kirk, but it's Spock who really gets our green Vulcan blood pumping. Aesthetics-wise, he's got the mod haircut, diamond-cut cheekbones, and throaty deep voice that always makes it sound like he's saying something dirty, even when he's not. It also doesn't hurt that he's a huge egghead who can still kick ass and "mind meld" you eight ways from Sunday without taking a single item of clothing off. So what if he only gets horny once every seven years? Cheating won't be an issue, and all that pent-up sexual energy will make it more than worth your while.

2. Alan Ruck as Cameron Frye, Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Alan Ruck as Cameron Frye in Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Ferris is "a righteous dude" but he's also popular. Save for a small group of the socially-gifted-and-genuinely-nice, that usually means shallow, backstabbing, and in love with yourself. Sure, Ferris may smile at you in the hallway or even make out with you at a kegger, but Cameron's the one who'd make you mix tapes and give you his hockey jersey when you're cold. Cameron is tall and rangy; Ferris is wee and stubby. Cameron is complex and neurotic; Ferris is a vapid game-show host. Forget Mr. Personality. Surrender to those shelter-dog eyes and button nose and hit up this cutie on your next day off.

1. Vincent Kartheiser as Pete Campbell, John Slattery as Roger Sterling, Aaron Staton as Ken Cosgrove, or Rich Sommer as Harry Crane, Mad Men

Mad Men's leading man is hot. No one's disputing that, so put down your Don Draper troll pen and hang up your Don Draper Snoopy phone. All we're saying is that, despite his tortured-everyman persona, Don Draper is kind of an asshole. And if you're going to go for assholes, you might as well diversify your portfolio. Harry Crane's got the teddy-bear nerd down. Pete Campbell's the preppy hate-fuck that haunted you throughout high school. Even those who don't go for older guys would probably give Roger Sterling a whirl. As for Draper, don't worry. The man's sex appeal is like a cockroach post-nuclear annihilation, i.e. unstoppable.

Commentarium (37 Comments)

Oct 13 10 - 12:15am
bearman33

How about Demond Wilson over Redd Foxx in Sanford and Son, or is that too obvious?

Oct 13 10 - 12:36am
Holly

Not exactly my picks for sexy supporting performers, but I have to totally agree with the love for John Slattery and Rupert Grint. I would be saying "When did that happen?!," , but I know that screenshot up there is almost exactly when the sexy kicked in.

Oct 13 10 - 12:54am
bearman33

Being half Vulcan, Spock should be disqualified. And you couldn't find a color photo of Goose?

Oct 13 10 - 1:12am
bearman33

Judging by your putdown of Iceman, I would assume that you thought Chris O'Donnell as Robin was sexier than Val Kilmer's Batman in Batman Forever. I hope you do a piece on sexier supporting actresses, i'm starting to feel weird. Also, women who are into surfer dudes would probably pick Barney Rubble over Fred Flintstone.

Oct 13 10 - 4:21am
a hot chick

What about Joseph Gordon Levitt in "Inception"? He was way hotter than Leo DiCaprio.

Oct 13 10 - 9:15am
seconded

Joseph Gordon Levitt is just so fucking hot all the damn time.

Oct 13 10 - 9:33am
mudpie

i'm so glad someone finally recognized the smarmy sexiness of pete campbell.

Oct 13 10 - 10:34am
FT

Vincent Kartheiser? Are you kidding? He's such a litle weasel.

Oct 13 10 - 10:35am
cosign

Joseph Gordon Levitt was so hot in Inception.

Oct 13 10 - 4:47pm
ica

I agree with except Leonard Nimoy, I never found Vulcans attractive. But that Vincent Karthiser....yum

Oct 13 10 - 11:18pm
robert paulsen

i can't see pete campbell and not think of connor, from angel. he was insufferable then, and i always hoped he'd get punched in the face.

Oct 14 10 - 1:01am
kim

rupert grint has gotten so sexy it's insane actually.

Oct 14 10 - 1:21am
mad men is ok too

I clicked this link expecting to see Joseph Gordon Levitt in "Inception"

Oct 14 10 - 2:36am
Thomas

I TOTALLY agree about the Cameron one.

Oct 14 10 - 4:44am
CaptainXenu

You've got to be kidding about Bloom over Depp? I'm a straight dude, and I can admit that Depp is a good looking guy.

Oct 14 10 - 9:55am
giggy

Those aren't jheri curls on Philip Michael Thomas. Those slick curls were au natural.

Oct 14 10 - 2:24pm
nana

I agree about Rupert Grint. He is so hot now!!!!

Oct 14 10 - 4:53pm
ela

I definitely agree with you about Rupert Grint! He looks so good and he's such a great actor =)

Oct 14 10 - 7:35pm
Reb

It's not often I read a list and completely disagree with every single entry. To each her own, I guess.

Oct 14 10 - 7:57pm
Kiki

Kartheiser. NUMMMMMY.

Oct 14 10 - 10:49pm
AM

Def agree on Allen Ruck, I've always had a soft spot for tall, lanky dorks with shaggy hair. Mmm.

Oct 15 10 - 2:40am
Vinegar Bend

The premise is a good one, but the particulars aren't all. Philip Michael Thomas was not "cooler" than anyone. Orlando Bloom is not only not cooler than Johnny Depp, he's an utterly terrible actor.
The guy who comes to mind in this category for me is Colin Ferrell. I remember seeing him in "Minority Report" with Tom Cruise and in "Daredevil" with Ben Affleck and thinking both movies would have been far better if he was playing the leads. Of course, that was before he made the awful "Alexander:"

Oct 15 10 - 9:27am
David

Exept that Will Turner was the lead character of Pirates, atleast the first one.

Oct 15 10 - 12:03pm
Buffy Summers

What?! No Spike over Angel? Blasphemous.
White-hot wit, eyes the color of a Summer sky he can only dream of, cheekbones as sharp as his incisors trumps broody, mopey, Captain Forehead (whose hair sticks straight up!) any day or night.

Oct 15 10 - 12:08pm
THe

Vinegar Bend have you even SEEN Miami Vice? It's Tubbs, not Thomas the person. His character was from NYC for Chrissake. Crockett was an ex-football player. Laaaame

Oct 15 10 - 12:48pm
@buffy summers

I thought willow deleted that program?

Oct 15 10 - 3:17pm
Nemi

Oh yeah, agree with everyone who's mentioned "Inception"...! Hmm, trying to think of someone else... how about Christian Slater in "Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves" over Kevin Costner?

Oct 15 10 - 9:05pm
AJWC1

Amen to Rupert Grint.
Good choices over all. I've alway gone for the other guy. When it came to the Buffy series, everyone loved Angel and Spike (me too), but I REALLY loved Xander (Nicholas Brendon.)

Oct 17 10 - 8:13am
LambChop

NO, NO,NO, NO. There is no sexier Mad Man than Don!!
Roger has a certain bon vivant / rich old man allure, but to say any of these guys are 'sexiER' than the leading man??
CHRIST ON A CRACKER, where's your head, woman??!!
https://adulter-us.com

Oct 20 10 - 5:59pm
Alice fron RJ

Rupert Grint has turned into an insanely sexy man. SOOOO hot!

Oct 23 10 - 3:27am
nykia

rupert grint is so freaking GOREGOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! dude, let me have him, now!!!!!!!!!! i shall marry him!

Oct 27 10 - 7:28pm
rara

Every person in Inception was sexier than Leo (I personally think he peaked in The Aviator). Particularly Tom Hardy!

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Mar 16 11 - 10:17pm
Summer

I can't agree with you more about Alan Ruck & Rupert Grint. Rupert especially, not just because he grew up to become incredibly gorgeous, but also because he seems like a really eccentrically awkwardly cool guy.

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