The terms “heartthrob” and “movie star” often go hand in hand, as Hollywood was built on stories of young, attractive people. In most live-action projects on both the big and small screens, there is usually an actor meant to be the main eye candy, or at the very least, be pleasant for the audience to look at. Although this approach to casting is without a doubt shallow, as actors should be hired for their skill of the craft, heartthrobs still exist in modern cinema. But, thankfully, many viewers are sensitive enough not to objectify actors.
Hollywood heartthrob culture reached a fever pitch in the 2000s, when most films premiered exclusively in theaters and people still read magazines detailing the lives of their favorite celebrities. While pop culture has largely moved away from declaring which actors receive heartthrob statuses, it is essential to reflect on a time when an actor could center his career around his position as a teen idol. Sure, teen idols still exist today, but not in the pages ofJ-14andTiger Beatlike they did in the 2000s.
15Zac Efron
He’s Still Acting, Mostly In Comedies
Zac Efron became a big star in the 2000s. The actor broke out with the Disney Channel film franchiseHigh School Musicaland the movie musicalHairspray. His roles in these projects cemented Efron as a talented actor and singer.Efron’s status as the romantic lead made him a sex symbol and secured his presence on both the big and small screen.
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Since his debut in the 2000s, Efron has been a constant presence in film. While the actor has ventured into dramas, he gravitates toward comedy. Recently, Efron played Kevin Von Erich in the 2023 dramaThe Iron Claw. The actor has been open about his substance abuse issues and living with mental illness. In August 2024,Efron was foundunconscious in a poolin Ibiza,Spain.He sustained minor injuries and was released from the hospital after one day.
14Patrick Dempsey
He Is Both Acting And Auto-Racing
Patrick Dempsey is best known for his work onGrey’s Anatomy.He was a core member of the main cast when the show premiered in 2005, which brought him into the public eye as Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd, the love interest of Dr. Meredith Grey.Derek was killed offGrey’s Anatomyin season 11 Along withGrey’s Anatomy, Dempsey starred in multiple romantic comedies in the 2000s, such asMade of Honor(2008) andSweet Home Alabama(2002). He also played one of the male leads in Disney’s hit movieEnchanted(2007).
In 2023, Dempsey was crowned People’s Sexiest Man Alive.
Dempsey leftGrey’s Anatomyin 2015 and has since starred in a number of projects. Notably, he appeared inBridget Jones’s BabyandFerrari.The actor has alsobecome a prominent auto racerand has competed in prestigious events like 24 Hours of Le Man and Rolex 24. In 2023, Dempsey was crowned People’s Sexiest Man Alive.
13Ryan Phillippe
He’s Been In Legal Trouble
Although Ryan Phillippe first broke out on the Hollywood scene in the late 1990s with films likeI Know What You Did Last SummerandCruel Intentions, he became a full-blown heartthrob in the 2000s. He had supporting roles in films likeCrash, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Clint Eastwood’sFlags of Our Fathers. Phillipe is also known for his marriage to actress Reese Witherspoon from 1999 to 2006.In the 2010s, Phillippe discussed his interest in directing and writing. He helped run a production company called Lucid Films.
Recently,Phillippe appeared in the ABC dramaBig Skywhere he played Cody Hoyt, a former detective turned private investigator. Phillippe’s personal life has been littered with issues. In 2017, two of Phillippe’s ex-girlfriends came forward about his alleged harassment. One girlfriend, Paulina Slagter, accused Phillippe of sending threatening text messages.Phillippe’s other ex-girlfriend, Elise Hewitt,sued him for domestic abuse(viaPeople).
12Taylor Lautner
He Recently Appeared In A Taylor Swift Music Video
Taylor Lautner’s career took off after his appearance in the Robert Rodriguez film,The Adventures ofSharkboy and Lava Girl in 3-Das the titular Sharkboy. However, Lautner is best known for his role as one of Bella Swan’s love interests, werewolf Jacob Black in theTwilightSaga. At the time, he was one of the highest-paid teenagers in Hollywood. Lautner is also a skilled martial artist, earning a black belt in karate when he was 10.
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In the 2010s, Lautner appeared in two Adam Sandler films,Grown Ups 2andThe Ridiculous Six.Lautner’s career has cooled down in the wake ofTwilight’s popularity, but he did deliver a comedic turn as Dr. Cassidy Cascade inScream Queens.He also appeared in the music video for Taylor Swift’s song “I Can See You.” In 2022, Lautner married Taylor Dome.
11Robert Pattinson
He Became An A24 Darling After Twilight
Like Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson’s career also didn’t begin with Twilight. The British actor first rose to prominence as the ill-fated Hufflepuff Cedric Diggory inHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.But, of course, Pattinson is best known for starring as the romantic leading man, vampire Edward Cullen, who marries Bella in theTwilightseries. While the actor hasdiscussed his distaste for the series, it is credited for launching his career to new heights.
Pattinson has performed on the soundtracks ofTwilight,How to Be,Damsel, andHigh Life.
Pattinson continues to work in major film projects, and has now solidified himself as an arthouse actor. In 2019, he appeared in the A24 filmThe Lighthousealongside Willem Dafoe. Most notably, he played the titular character in 2022’sThe Batman. Pattinson also works as a musician and has lent his vocal cords to many movie soundtracks.
10Josh Hartnett
He Recently Appeared In M. Night Shyamalan’sTrap
Josh Hartnett achieved teen idol status after his appearance in ABC’s drama seriesCracker. From there, his career exploded. Hartnett starred in several big movies in the 2000s, such asPearl Harbor,O, Black Hawk Down, and40 Days and 40 Nights.Hartnett was also considered to play Batman in the Christopher Nolan series; the role eventually went to Christian Bale.
After some time away,Hartnett’s career resurfaced with an appearance inOppenheimerin 2023, playing nuclear physicist Ernest Lawrence. In 2024, Hartnett starred in M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological thriller,Trap, in which he went against type and played a serial killer. The film was a box-office success that re-cemented his career. Hartnett is involved with multiple charity organizations like Global Cool. He has also been active in raising awareness about the East Africa droughts.
9Orlando Bloom
He Has A Baby With Pop Star Katy Perry
Orlando Bloom has starred in some of thebiggest franchises in film history. He played the dreamy pirate Will Turner in Disney’sThe Pirates of the Caribbeanseries and Legolas, the elf and archer expert, in bothThe Lord of the RingsandThe Hobbitseries. In the 2000s, Bloom also starred in Ridley Scott’s war dramaBlack Hawk Downas PFC Todd Blackburn.
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Bloom’s acting career slowed down after the 2000s. However, given the financial success of the franchises he starred in, Bloom doesn’t need to work constantly to stay afloat. But recently, Bloom starred in the Amazon Prime seriesCarnival RowRycroft Philostrate. He also served as an executive producer for the show.Bloom has also been engaged to pop superstar Katy Perry since 2019. The couple has one child, Daisy, born in 2020.
The Disney Channel Star Is Working On Broadway
Like Zac Efron, Corbin Bleu achieved heartthrob status through theHigh School Musicalfilms, in which he played Chad Danforth. In 2007, Bleu starred in another Disney Channel Original movie,Jump In!Also, based on the singing talent he showcased in theHigh School Musicalseries, Bleu pursued a musical career. He released an album calledAnother Side,which featured the hit,Push it to the Limit.
He starred in Lin-Manuel Miranda’sIn The Heights, and the 2019 revival ofKiss Me, Kate.
However, unlike Efron, Bleu’s career did not take off in Hollywood after the success ofHigh School Musical. However, Bleu hasseen a lot of success in Broadway musicals.He starred in Lin-Manuel Miranda’sIn The Heights, and the 2019 revival ofKiss Me, Kate.Bleu has continued to work in film, though. He starred in 2015’sTo Write Love On Her Arms, alongside Kat Dennings. Bleu also starred in 2023’sCamp Hideout.
He’s Seen Success In Reboots
Chad Michael Murray starred in multiple teen classics back in the 2000s, notably playing the romantic leads inA Cinderella StoryandFreaky Friday.Murray also starred inmany teen series in the 2000s, likeDawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, andGilmore Girls. Needless to say, he became a teen idol almost overnight because of his appearances in the previously mentioned series.
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Murray has made a return to television since the 2000s. He continues to appear in teen dramas likeRiverdale, in which he played an over-the-top cult leader. He has also joined Netflix’s unofficial roster of repertory actors, as his most recent projects saw him playing the love interests in the Netflix original filmsMother of the BrideandThe Merry Gentlemen. The actor will also reprise hisFreaky Fridayrole in the 2025 sequel,Freakier Friday.
6Jesse McCartney
He Is Still Making New Music
Jesse McCartney didn’t begin his career as a musician, as he actually started out as an actor. His first acting stint was on the soap opera,All My Children. McCartney went on to star in multiple television series likeSummerlandandGreek.He is also known for lending his voice to animated characters like Theodore from theAlvin and the Chipmunksseries,Horton Hears A Who!andKingdom Hearts.
However, McCartney is best known as a pop star.His hits “Leavin’”and “Beautiful Soul”, from his 2004 album,Beautiful Soul, topped the charts in the first decade of the new millennium.Also, McCartney co-wrote Leona Lewis’ hit “Bleeding Love”. Since the 2000s, McCartney has released multiple albums. His most recent album, the 2024 extended playAll’s Well, featured Yung Gravy. McCartney also notably played the pirate Reed inFear the Walking Dead.
