A sex symbol is a famous and/or notable person, male or female, who is found sexually attractive by the general audience. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE-ROMEOS***************
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The film industry played an important part in the rise of sex symbols. The film industry consists of the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking i An organism's sex is defined by the gametes it produces males produce male gametes (spermatozoa or Sperm) while females produce female gametes (ova or Egg cells; individual It disseminated images of beautiful people around the world.
The first sex symbols were Victorian actress and singer Lillian Russell, Danish silent-film actress Asta Nielsen (nicknamed 'The Silent Muse') and 'It Girl' Clara Bow in the 1910s and 1920s. Lillian Russell ( December 4[[ 860]] &ndash June 6 1922) was an American actress and Singer. Asta Nielsen ( 11 September, 1881 - 24 May, 1972) was a Danish Silent film actress who became the most popular leading An It girl or It-girl is a charming Sexy young woman who receives intense media coverage unrelated or disproportional Clara Gordon Bow ( July 29, 1905 &ndash September 27 1965) was an American Actress and Sex symbol, who rose to fame Although not seen as a real sex symbol, Lillian Gish ('The First Lady of the Silent Screen') became the most popular actress of the era. Lillian Diana Gish ( October 14 1893 – February 27 1993) was an American stage screen and television actress whose Theda Bara and Pola Negri, famed for their vamp roles, were also early female sex symbols. Theda Bara was the stage name and later legal name of Theodosia Burr Goodman ( July 29, 1885 – April 13, 1955) an American Pola Negri ( Barbara Apolonia Chałupiec) ( 3 January, 1897 - August 1, 1987) was a Polish film actress who achieved A femme fatale (plural femmes fatales) is an alluring and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire often leading them into Rudolph Valentino was cinema's first male sex symbol. Rudolph Valentino ( May 6, 1895 &ndash August 23, 1926) was an Italian Actor, Sex symbol, and early
Film's Golden Age sex symbols include 1930s stars Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow ("The Platinum Blonde"), Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Mae West and Clark Gable. Classical Hollywood cinema or the classical Hollywood narrative, are terms used in film history which designates both a visual and sound style for making motion pictures Marlene Dietrich maɐˈleːnə ˈdiːtrɪç (December 27 &ndashMay 6) was a German -born American Actress, Singer and Entertainer Greta Garbo ( 18 September 1905 &ndash 15 April 1990) was a Swedish-American actress during Hollywood 's Jean Harlow ( March 3, &ndash June 7,) was an American Film Actress and Sex symbol of the 1930s Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; ( March 23, 1905 - May 10, 1977) Crawford was signed to a motion picture Edith Norma Shearer (August 10 1900 - June 12 1983 was an Academy Award&ndashwinning Canadian-American actress. Mae West (August 17 1893 &ndash November 22 1980 was an American actress, Playwright, Screenwriter, and Sex symbol. Clark Gable (February 1 &ndashNovember 16) was an iconic American Actor nicknamed "The King of Hollywood" in his heyday 40s and 50s icons Rita Hayworth (nicknamed "The Love Goddess"), Ava Gardner, Jane Russell, Betty Grable, Bettie Page (in print and underground films), Lana Turner, the three "Blond Bombshells": Marilyn Monroe (the most iconic sex symbol of Hollywood's Golden Age)- Jayne Mansfield - Mamie Van Doren, Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, Kim Novak, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, James Dean, Rock Hudson, Robert Mitchum, Gregory Peck and Cary Grant. Rita Hayworth (October 17 1918 &ndash May 14 1987 born Margarita Carmen Cansino was a Spanish-American actress who rose to stardom in the 1940s as the era's leading Sex symbol Ava Lavinia Gardner ( December 24, 1922 – January 25, 1990) was an Academy Award -nominated American actress Jane Russell (born June 21) is an American film actress and Sex symbol. Betty Grable ( December 18, 1916 &ndash July 2, 1973) was an American Dancer Singer, and actress Bettie Mae Page (born Betty Mae Page April 22 1923 in Nashville Tennessee) is a former American model who became famous in the 1950s for An underground film is a film that is out of the mainstream either in its style genre or financing Lana Turner ( February 8, 1921 &ndash June 29, 1995) was an Academy Award -nominated American Film The term bombshell is a forerunner to the Sex symbol and originally used to describe popular female sex icons Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson, June 1 1926 &ndash August 5 1962 baptized Norma Jayne Mansfield (April 19 1933 – June 29 1967 was an American actress working both on Broadway and in Hollywood. Mamie Van Doren (born February 6, 1931 some sources say 1933 is an American actress and Sex symbol. Sophia Loren (born September 20 1934 is an Academy Award winning Italian film actress born Sofia Villani Scicolone Gina Lollobrigida (born July 4, 1927 in Subiaco Italy) is a Golden Globe Award -winning Italian Actress and Photojournalist Brigitte Bardot ( (born 28 September 1934 is a French actress, former fashion model, Singer and animal welfare/rights activist Audrey Hepburn ( &ndash) was an English/Dutch Academy Award - Emmy Award - Tony Award - and Grammy Award -winning film and stage actress Kim Novak (born February 13, 1933) is an American actress, who was one of her nation's most popular movie stars in the late 1950s Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, DBE (born 27 February 1932) is a two-time Academy Award -winning English-American actress Marlon Brando Jr (April 3 1924 – July 1 2004 was an Academy Award -winning American Actor, whose body of work spanned over half a century James Byron Dean ( February 8 1931 &ndash September 30 1955) was a two-time Oscar -nominated American Film Rock Hudson (November 17 1925 &ndash October 2 1985 was an American Film and Television Actor, recognised as a romantic leading man during Robert Charles Durman Mitchum ( August 6, 1917 &ndash July 1, 1997) was an Academy Award nominated American film Gregory Peck (April 5 1916 &ndash June 12 2003 was an Academy Award -winning and four-time Golden Globe Award-winning American Film
Important 60s and 70s sex symbols included Ursula Andress, Ann-Margret, Jacqueline Bisset, Barbara Bouchet, Jane Fonda, Sharon Tate, Raquel Welch, Catherine Deneuve, Pam Grier, Ali MacGraw, Helen Mirren,[1] Meryl Streep[1], Sean Connery, Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Burt Reynolds, Harrison Ford, Robert De Niro and John Travolta. Ursula Andress (born March 19, 1936) is a Golden Globe award-winning Swiss actress and a major Sex symbol of the 1960s Ann-Margret (born April 28 1941 is a Swedish -born American actress singer Jacqueline Bisset (born Winnifred Jacqueline Fraser-Bisset; September 13 1944) is an English actress. Barbara Bouchet, (born as Barbara Goutscher on August 15, 1943 in Reichenberg) is an actress and entrepreneuse Jane Fonda (born December 21 1937 is an American Academy Award winning Actress, Writer, political activist, former Fashion Sharon Marie Tate (January 24 1943 – August 9 1969 was an American actress. Raquel Welch (born September 5 1940 is a Golden Globe -winning American actor who achieved fame as a Hollywood sex symbol during the 1960s Catherine Deneuve (French katʁin dəˈnœv born October 22 1943 is a two-time Cesar Award -winning BAFTA Award -nominated and Academy Award -nominated Pamela Suzette "Pam" Grier (born May 26, 1949) is an American Actress. Alice "Ali" MacGraw (born April 1 1939 MacGraw has described her father as "violent" Dame Helen Mirren, DBE (born 26 July 1945 is an English stage, Film and Television actress. Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an award-winning American Actress who has worked in Theatre, Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born August 25 1930) is an Academy Award - Golden Globe - and BAFTA Award -winning Scottish Terrence Steven "Steve" McQueen (March 24 1930 – November 7 1980 was an American movie Actor, nicknamed "The King of Cool" Paul Leonard Newman (January 26 1925 &ndash September 26 2008 was an Academy Award Charles Robert Redford Jr (born August 18 1936) is an Academy Award -winning American Film director, Actor, Burton Leon Reynolds Jr (born February 11 1936 is an American Actor. Harrison Ford (born July 13, 1942) is an Academy Award - and BAFTA -nominated as well as Golden Globe -winning American Robert Mario De Niro Jr (born August 17 1943 is a two-time Academy Award -winning American Film Actor, director and producer
In the 80's, other signtificant sex symbols included Matt Dillon, Charlie Sheen, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Cruise, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mel Gibson, Meg Ryan & Carrie Fisher. Matthew Raymond "Matt" Dillon (born February 18, 1964) is an Academy Award - Golden Globe Award - and BAFTA Award -nominated Carlos Irwin Estévez (born September 3 1965 better known as Charlie Sheen, is an American actor Walter Bruce Willis (March 19 1955 is an American actor and Singer-songwriter. Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger ( German ˌaɐnɔlt aloʏs ˈʃvaɐtsənɛɡɐ born July 30 1947 is an Austrian American Bodybuilder, Actor Thomas Cruise Mapother IV ( born July 3 1962 better known by his screen name Tom Cruise, is an American Actor and Film producer Michelle Marie Pfeiffer ( IPA: /mɪˈʃɛl ˈfаɪfɜr/ born April 29 1958 is an American Actress. Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson, AO (born January 3 1956 Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra (born November 19, 1961) professionally known as Meg Ryan, is a Golden Globe-nominated American film Carrie Frances Fisher (born October 21, 1956) is an American actress, Screenwriter and Novelist.
As TV's influence grew during the last three decades there was a slight shift to TV stars becoming more famous, Pamela Anderson,[2] Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, Carmen Electra, Farrah Fawcett, Valerie Bertinelli, Halle Berry[3] and Don Johnson, all became sex symbols through TV. Pamela Denise Anderson (born July 1 1967 is a Canadian -born actress, Sex symbol, glamour model, producer, Author, and Tiffani Thiessen (born Tiffani Amber Thiessen on January 23, 1974 in Long Beach California) is an American actress known Ferrah Leni Fawcett (born February 2 1947) is an American actress Valerie Anne Bertinelli (born April 23 1960 is an American Film and Television actress best known for her role as Bonnie Franklin 's daughter Halle Maria Berry (ˈhæli ˈbɛri born August 14 1966 is an Academy Award - Emmy Award - and Golden Globe -winning American actress former Don Johnson (born Donnie Wayne Johnson, December 15 1949 Personal life Relationships and family At 22 Johnson began a four-year liaison
More recent silver screen icons are Angelina Jolie,[4]Demi Moore, Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore, Rebecca Romijn, Keira Knightley, Alicia Silverstone, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, George Clooney,[5] Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Colin Farrell,[6] ,[7][8][9][10]Matthew McConaughey, Matt Damon, Jude Law, Jonathan Scott-Taylor, Megan Fox, Charlize Theron and the late Heath Ledger. Angelina Jolie (born Angelina Jolie Voight on June 4 1975 is an American film actor Demi Moore (born Demetria Gene Guynes on November 11 1962 is an American Actress. Scarlett I Johansson (born November 22 1984 is an actress and Singer, of dual American and Danish citizenship Drew Blyth Barrymore (born February 22 1975 is an American actress and Film producer. Rebecca Alie Romijn (born November 6 1972 is an American film and television Actress and former Fashion model. Keira Christina Knightley (ˌkɪərəˈnaɪtlɪ born March 26, 1985) is a Golden Globe – BAFTA - and Academy Award –nominated Alicia Silverstone ( born October 4 1976 is an American Film and stage actress and former fashion model. Jennifer Joanna Aniston (born February 11 1969 is an American Film and television actress. Jennifer Lynn Lopez (born July Jennifer Love Hewitt (born February 21, 1979) is an American Actress and Singer-songwriter. Jessica Marie Alba (born April 28 1981 is an American television and film Actress. Cameron Michelle Díaz (born August 30 1972 is a Golden Globe - BAFTA - and SAG -Award nominated U William Bradley "Brad" Pitt Pitt received a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for his role in the 1995 film Twelve Monkeys Orlando Jonathan Blanchard Bloom (born 13 January 1977) is an English Actor. George Timothy Clooney (born May 6 1961 is an Academy Award - and Golden Globe award-winning American actor director, producer, John Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio (born November 11 1974 is a three-time Academy Award -nominated and Golden Globe -winning American film actor. Colin James Farrell (born May 31, 1976) is an Irish Actor, who has appeared in several high-profile Hollywood films including Matthew David McConaughey (məˈkɑnəˌheɪ born November 4 1969 is an American Actor. Matthew Paige Damon (born October 8 1970 is an American Actor and Philanthropist. Jude Law (born 29 December 1972 is an English Actor. He began acting with the National Youth Music Theatre in 1987 and had his first TV role in 1989 Jonathan Scott-Taylor (born March 6, 1962) is an English former Actor. Megan Denise Fox (born May 16 1986 is an American actress and model. Charlize Theron ( IPA: ʃɑrˈliːz θəˈrɒn born August 7 1975 is an Academy Award -winning South African -born American actress film producer Heath Andrew Ledger (4 April 1979 – 22 January 2008 was an Australian television and film actor [5]
1930's cartoon character Betty Boop is known as the first and one of the most famous sex symbol on animated screen. Betty Boop is an animated Cartoon character appearing in the Talkartoon and Betty Boop series of films produced by [11][12] After Betty Boop, Jessica Rabbit, who was voiced by Kathleen Turner, is widely considered as the next biggest animated sex symbol. Betty Boop is an animated Cartoon character appearing in the Talkartoon and Betty Boop series of films produced by The following is a list of characters from the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Mary Kathleen Turner (born June 19, 1954) is a Tony Award - and Academy Award -nominated American actress. [13]
Blues musicians were some of the first artists to become sex symbols. Rock n' roll and pop would follow later on. Some classic example of former or older sex symbols are Madonna, Marvin Gaye,[14] Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Jordan Knight, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler, Jon Bon Jovi[15][16] , Prince, Sting, Janet Jackson, Tom Jones, Cher, Grace Slick, Bruce Springsteen, and Rod Stewart set the stage for contemporary examples, such as Beyonce, Nick Carter, Dannii Minogue, Nicole Scherzinger, Britney Spears, Brandon Flowers, Christina Aguilera,[17] Rihanna,[18] Justin Timberlake,[17] Shakira, Uhm Jung-hwa, Usher, Shania Twain, Alicia Keys, Kylie Minogue, Jonathan Scott-Taylor. Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16 1958 known as Madonna, is an American Marvin Pentz Gay Jr, known as Marvin Gaye ( April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American Singer-songwriter The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 Michael Joseph Jackson (born August 29 1958 is an American musician entertainer and businessman Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger, Kt (born 26 July 1943 is a Golden Globe -winning and two-time Grammy -winning English rock Jordan Knight (born Jordan Nathaniel Marcel Knight, May 17 1970, Worcester, Massachusetts) is an American Singer-songwriter James Marshall Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix) (November 27 1942 – September 18 1970 was an American Guitarist, Singer and Songwriter James Douglas Morrison (December 8 1943—July 3 1971 was an American Poet, Singer, Songwriter, Writer, and Film director Robert Anthony Plant (born 20 August 1948 West Bromwich, England) is an English rock singer and songwriter famous for his membership in the Stephen Victor Tallarico (born March 26 1948 in Yonkers New York) better known as Steven Tyler (and often nicknamed The Demon of Jon Bon Jovi (born John Francis Bongiovi Jr on March 2 1962 is an American Musician, Songwriter and Actor. Prince Rogers Nelson (born June 7 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an American musician Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, CBE (born October 2, 1951) better known by his Stage name Sting, is a three time Academy Award Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16 1966 is an American recording artist and entertainer Sir Thomas John Woodward, (born 7 June 1940 known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh pop music singer particularly noted for his powerful voice Cher ( IPA: /ʃɛr/ born Cherilyn Sarkisian, May 20 1946 Grace Slick (born Grace Barnett Wing on October 30, 1939) is an American Singer and Songwriter, who was one of Roderick "Rod" David Stewart, CBE (born 10 January 1945 is a Singer and Songwriter born and raised in London England and currently Beyoncé Giselle Knowles (born September 4 1981 commonly known as Beyoncé (biːˈɑn Nick Carter may refer to Nick Carter (musician, a member of the band The Backstreet Boys Nick Carter (cyclist (1924–2003 a cyclist Danielle Jane Minogue (born 20 October 1971 known as Dannii, is an Australian singer songwriter Television personality and occasional actress, Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger (also known as Nicole Kea, born June 29, 1978) is an American pop singer songwriter Britney Jean Spears (born December 2 1981 is an American recording artist and entertainer Brandon Richard Flowers (born June 21 1981 is the American Vocalist, Keyboardist and occasional Bassist of the Las Vegas -based rock Christina María Aguilera (born December 18 1980 is an American pop / R&B Singer and Songwriter. Rihanna (pronounced /riːˈɑːnə/ born Robyn Rihanna Fenty; February 20 1988 is a Barbadian singer, model and Fashion designer Justin Randall Timberlake (born January 31 1981 He has English ancestry although he has also claimed some American Indian ancestry probably through unconfirmed Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll (born February 2 1977 known simply as Shakira Uhm Jung-hwa (born August 17 1971) is one of South Korea 's most successful female Korean pop artists Usher Raymond IV (born October 14 1978 known simply by his first name Usher, is an American R&B and pop Singer - Songwriter Shania Twain ʃəˈnaɪə 'tweɪn OC (born Eilleen Regina Edwards, August 28 1965 is a Canadian Singer and Songwriter in the Alicia J Augello-Cook (born January 25 1981 professionally known as Alicia Keys, is an American R&B, soul, and Neo soul Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE, born 28 May 1968 is an Australian pop Singer - Songwriter and occasional Actress. Jonathan Scott-Taylor (born March 6, 1962) is an English former Actor. A few music groups are referred to as sex symbols. Such as Pussycat Dolls, Danity Kane, Destiny's Child, and TLC. Pussycat Dolls is an American pop Girl group, and dance ensemble founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995 Danity Kane is an American R&B and pop Girl group signed to Bad Boy Records, first established in 2005 Destiny's Child (sometimes referred to as DC or DC3) was an R&B and pop Girl group comprising lead singer Beyoncé Knowles
Many models and supermodels are widely known enough to be considered sex symbols. Gisele Caroline Bündchen (born July 20 1980 is a Brazilian model. Some of today's sex symbols who have become famous as models include Anna Nicole Smith, Twiggy, Cindy Crawford, Elle Macpherson, Naomi Campbell, Gisele Bündchen,[19][20] Christy Turlington, Ana Beatriz Barros, Laetitia Casta, Adriana Lima. Vickie Lynn Marshall (November 28 1967 &ndash February 8 2007 better known under the Stage name of Anna Nicole Smith, was an American model Twiggy (born Lesley Hornby; 19 September 1949) is an English Supermodel, Actress, and Singer, now also Cynthia Ann "Cindy" Crawford (born February 20 1966 is an American model and actress. Elle Macpherson ( born 29 March 1964 is an Australian model, actress, and businesswoman Naomi Campbell (born 22 May 1970 is an English model, Singer, Author, Actress, and Fashion designer. Gisele Caroline Bündchen (born July 20 1980 is a Brazilian model. Christy Nicole Turlington (born January 2, 1969) is an American fashion model best known for representing Calvin Klein fragrances Ana Beatriz redirects here for the Brazilian racing driver see Bia Figueiredo. Laetitia Marie Laure Casta (born May 11, 1978 in Pont-Audemer, Normandy) is a French model and Actress. Adriana Francesca Lima (born June 12 1981 is a Brazilian model known for her work with Victoria's Secret and Maybelline cosmetics [19], Alessandra Ambrosio[19], Heidi Klum[19], Tyra Banks[19], Kate Moss[21][22] Male models: Tyson Beckford. Alessandra Corine Ambrósio (born April 11, 1981 is a Brazilian model. Heidi Klum (ˈklʊm born June 1 1973 is a German model, actress TV presenter, Fashion designer, Television producer and occasional singer Tyra Lynne Banks (born December 4 1973 is an American Television personality, Emmy Award -winning talk show host, actress Supermodel, former Kate Moss (born January 16 1974) is an English model who has appeared on over 300 magazine covers. Tyson Craig Beckford (born December 19 1970 is an American Supermodel and Actor, best known as a Ralph Lauren model [23]
Video games have had a few characters that are considered sex symbols, although their fame often does not extend into the mainstream. Jennifer Hawkins (born 22 December 1983 and the Hunter Pirates Basketball team and also worked as a model. Megan Gale (born August 7, 1975) is an Australian supermodel and Actress. The most well-known example of this category would be Lara Croft,[4][24] which has had several appearances in mainstream media. Lara Croft is a Fictional character and the protagonist of Eidos Interactive 's Tomb Raider video game series The first Lara Croft model, Nell McAndrew, appeared on Playboy on August of 1999, although the magazine was prevented legally from displaying the name "Lara Croft" next to the model. Nell McAndrew (born as Tracey Jane McAndrew on 6 November 1973 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England) is an English Glamour model . [25]
Other sex symbols with less notoriety in the mainstream include:
Many teen idols are also sex symbols. Teen idols refers to someone idolized by teens a teen idol is often young but in many cases no longer teenaged In particular, boy bands are frequently regarded as sex symbols by adoring fans. Fans frequently focus their attention on a single member of the group, but the entire group is seen as a sex symbol by association. Some excellent examples of boy bands are Backstreet Boys and N Sync. Backstreet Boys are a Grammy -nominated American pop group They were the first group launched by fallen Boy band mogul Lou Pearlman. Examples of teen idols are Ricky Martin, Jarrod Tavares, Chris Brown, and Robert Pattinson and Bill Kaulitz. Enrique Martín Morales (born December 24, 1971) better known by his Stage name Ricky Martin, is a Grammy Award and Latin Grammy Jarrod Tavares (b February 9 1985 is an American Professional poker player Robert Thomas-Pattinson (born 13 May 1986 is an English actor model and Musician, known for playing Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Tokio Hotel hoˈtɛl}} is a German band founded in Magdeburg, Germany in 2001 by singer Bill Kaulitz, guitarist Tom Kaulitz drummer Gustav Schäfer and [28][29]