# Celebrity hotties that aren't particularly hot **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 21, 2011, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661 "2011-11-21T17:28:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2011, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/141 "2011-11-26T14:33:30Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Speaking of The Maltese Falcon, I don’t see why so many women swooned over Humphrey Bogart. > > Also, I never understood the hype regarding Uma Thurman. She showed her boobs in Dangerous Liaisons, and they were PHENOMENAL. This was before she got all disease-looking skinny, but, that movie/those hooters alone gave her inertia for at least another 10 years on the hotness scale. hh ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2011, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/142 "2011-11-26T23:44:03Z")
Picking up on some of the “Golden Age” hotties. Lately (past five years or so), I don’t really get Lauren Bacall anymore. Hot? Yes. Attractive? Not really. Martha Vickers from “The Big Sleep”? That was a woman. Well, they both were, in their way, but lore has it Vickers’s screen time was cut way down to make room for her older co-star. Same with Ingrid Bergman – cute, sure, but not a sex symbol. And, to invert the question (pre-empting cries, “Oh, I get it J, you suffer from inversion – go to this summer camp for men”), I thought Joan Crawford was nice looking in “Mildred Pierce.” Don’t know what happened. Ditto Barbara Stanwyck – she was a hot piece, even though she looked unconventionally attractive. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/143 "2011-11-27T03:35:51Z")
> [@Jaledin](#): > > Lately (past five years or so), I don’t really get Lauren Bacall anymore. Hot? Yes. Attractive? Not really. Martha Vickers from “The Big Sleep”? That was a woman. I consider _The Big Sleep_ to be the spiritual predecessor of the James Bond movies. There were no shortage of hot babes just throwing themselves at Marlowe. The one in the bookstore? Yowza. ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/144 "2011-11-27T04:43:35Z")
> [@amaguri](#): > > Hugh Jackman is a good one… he was on Anderson Cooper the other day (don’t judge me, that’s what’s on when I’m at the gym!) and he is just plain weird looking, like there’s something disproportionate about his face and body. > > That said, I think being done up as Wolverine somehow makes him 10x more appealing. In person, he is jaw droppingly gorgeous. He’s a big guy too. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/145 "2011-11-27T22:33:02Z")
Anne Hathaway. She keeps getting cast like she’s the hot girl next door, but she’s more like the girl next door’s awkward looking little sister. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/146 "2011-11-28T00:08:11Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > I don’t get the love for Brad Pitt. He’s totally ordinary and everyday-looking to me. For some reason every straight guy I know thinks he’s what they should aspire to be. That’s because he looks like we want to look, he fucks like we want to fuck, he is smart, capable, and most importantly, he is free in all the ways we are not. ---
**Author:** ![Bhoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ce73a5/32.png) [@Bhoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bhoe)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/147 "2011-11-28T00:29:32Z")
> [@StusBlues](#): > > FWIW, I’m with \*\*colonial \*\*on this. She’s certainly pretty compared to most of the women I see at work, but she’s certainly not pretty compared with women whose job it is to be pretty. Pippa Middleton looks a lot like the Queen Mum, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, when she was young. That kind of freaks me out. I don’t think she’s all that pretty. She has imo Irish looking face and a good body. Not a butterface, but her face is not her best feature imo. ---
**Author:** ![Bhoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ce73a5/32.png) [@Bhoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bhoe)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/148 "2011-11-28T01:08:26Z")
I know there’s probably more, but at the moment I can only list these. For women, I’d say Cameron Diaz. I think being a blonde did a lot for her. She looks even uglier with dark hair. She’s one of the few people I can honestly say I have no idea why people find her attractive. There’s a lot of people that I don’t like, but I can see their appeal. She just ugly and makes faces that make her uglier. She also has a super annoying laugh. Men Justin Timberlack isn’t bringing sexy back. Johnny Depp is just too girly and weird looking. ---
**Author:** ![Madame\_Joy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@Madame\_Joy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madame_Joy)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/149 "2011-11-28T01:25:37Z")
Kirsten Dunst doesn’t have a pretty face. My boyfriend disagrees, but you can’t make me understand why anyone thinks she does. At best, I find her plain. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/150 "2011-11-28T01:28:46Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > I wouldn’t go that far, but I really don’t get all the fanboy lust for Summer Glau. She was by far the least attractive woman on _Firefly_. I would say, even if true, that would still rank her as solidly “extremely attractive”! ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/151 "2011-11-28T02:18:38Z")
> [@Madame\_Joy](#): > > Kirsten Dunst doesn’t have a pretty face. My boyfriend disagrees, but you can’t make me understand why anyone thinks she does. At best, I find her plain. I agree with your husband. Great body too (using Melancholia as a cite) I have trouble making up my mind on Nicki Minaj. I vacillate between Hot and entirely unattractive. The one thing I’m sure of is that I want to sleep with her. I don’t know what that means. As for the Kardashians. Kim is the hotness standard by which all are measured but the other two are kinda homely. i Hope that clears things up for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/152 "2011-11-28T03:16:40Z")
I agree with many of you and will add one of my own. [Sandra Oh](http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2008/features/tvblog/081215/sandra_oh240x320.jpg) Good Lord, what an odd looking woman. She creeps me out. Bleh. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/153 "2011-11-28T16:54:56Z")
> [@drm](#): > > I agree with your husband. Great body too (using Melancholia as a cite) I too think Kirsten Dunst is comely in both face & body. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/154 "2011-11-28T17:51:51Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > I would say, even if true, that would still rank [Summer Glau] as solidly “extremely attractive”! The Science Channel had a Firefly marathon over the weekend, so I took another look. She is quite plain. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/155 "2011-11-28T19:18:54Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > \Yes, the correct answer seems obvious to us now. Science marches on, and all that. But once upon a time, we had neither the wisdom nor the foresight to recognize such obvious truths.\ ☹ That was my, apparently lame, attempt to spark another Ginger/Mary Ann row. > [@drm](#): > > \I have trouble making up my mind on Nicki Minaj. I vacillate between Hot and entirely unattractive. The one thing I’m sure of is that I want to sleep with her. \ Of course you do. Most guys would and probably more than a few ladies. Sex-able doesn’t always mean “attractive” 😃 She’s obviously attractive if you’re drawn to her but I couldn’t think of a better word. Pedantic. ---
**Author:** ![psiekier](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psiekier/32/116_2.png) [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/156 "2011-12-01T16:06:04Z")
I don’t get Uma Thurman, either. I was in the crowd that raised eyebrows when she was cast as Poison Ivy in _Batman and Robin_, since I didn’t think she was attractive enough to fit the role. > [@TBG](#): > > Anne Hathaway. She keeps getting cast like she’s the hot girl next door, but she’s more like the girl next door’s awkward looking little sister. I disagree. I’ve always thought Anne Hathaway was incredibly attractive - and still do. She looked a little odd in _Alice in Wonderland_, but I think that was deliberate, what with the unnatural contrast of the dark eyebrows versus the pale skin and white hair. > [@Bhoe](#): > > I know there’s probably more, but at the moment I can only list these. For women, I’d say Cameron Diaz. I think being a blonde did a lot for her. She looks even uglier with dark hair. She’s one of the few people I can honestly say I have no idea why people find her attractive. I actually thought she was hotter when she had _more_ mass on her frame; the first time I saw her was in the Jim Carey movie _ **The Mask** _. ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/157 "2011-12-01T16:30:16Z")
Cameron Diaz, Tori Spelling, Drew Barrymore, Pamela Anderson, Courtney Love, Shannen Doherty, Julia Roberts… Hollywood actors generally get their jobs based on their acting ability or family connections. Attractiveness mainly helps for Playboy and beauty pageants although it’s usually not the best looking ones that get the title. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/158 "2011-12-01T20:56:40Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > Anne Hathaway. She keeps getting cast like she’s the hot girl next door, but she’s more like the girl next door’s awkward looking little sister. Some times I look at her and think: WOW! Other times I look at her and wonder why. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/159 "2011-12-01T21:39:40Z")
> [@Miss\_Woodhouse](#): > > I’ve never gotten the appeal of Rene Zellwigger. She has piggy little eyes and a weird, unattractive smile. She was completely delicious in her movie debut and she’s been riding that ever since. > [@Shecky](#): > > J > I also never saw the appeal of Hugh Grant. I get that he’s English, but he’s horse faced. It has little to do with his looks. He’s just insanely appealing. > [@ProbablyProcrastinating](#): > > Joel McHale–Imagine waking up next to that. Blech. I’d be thrilled. He’s physically cute, but my thrill would come from how incredibly amusing I find him. > [@Mahaloth](#): > > I agree with many of you and will add one of my own. > > [Sandra Oh](http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2008/features/tvblog/081215/sandra_oh240x320.jpg) > > Good Lord, what an odd looking woman. She creeps me out. Bleh. I don’t think very many people think of Sandra Oh as any kind of hottie. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661/160 "2011-12-02T22:34:00Z")
As a straight man, I don’t see the appeal of Zach Galifianakis. His brother, I can see where some types could get with that, but Zach seems a little heavy to really be a sex symbol. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-hotties-that-arent-particularly-hot/603661.md?page=9)