# Highest combined looks-talent quotient **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 16, 2009, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445 "2009-12-16T03:32:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/61 "2009-12-16T20:33:25Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > …Hugh Laurie. There’s a difference between being charismatic and sexy and hot, and being good looking. Hugh Laurie might have a certain _je ne sais quoi_, but he’s not handsome. ---
**Author:** ![TheMerchandise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/62 "2009-12-16T20:41:12Z")
Cillian Murphy ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/63 "2009-12-16T20:52:34Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > I assumed he was talking about her voice, and not her height. I did, too. She, herself, acknowledges that her speaking voice is pretty squeaky…and, when you consider what her singing voice is like, it’s even more surprising. Regardless, I don’t care…I have the hots for her. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/64 "2009-12-16T23:30:32Z")
A few 10/10s who have not been mentioned: Anne Hathaway Penélope Cruz Naomi Watts Halle Berry ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/65 "2009-12-17T00:05:35Z")
Anne Hathaway definitely deserves a mention, though she might only be a 9/9. Second Denzel Washington. I wish Winona Ryder’s looks matched her acting, but I’ve never seen it. How close do people think Gary Oldman is to 10 in looks? I’d rate him an 8/11 (9/11 if [you go by this](http://dietrichthrall.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/gary_oldman.jpg).) Most people have only a brief period of looks n the 10 department; I think Leonardo DiCaprio is an example of being a 10/10 the other way. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/66 "2009-12-17T00:25:49Z")
Fully realizing that I’m not gay and that he’s “only” a television actor whose previous work I’m ignorant of, I’d nominate **Jon Hamm**. Also, has anybody said **Cate Blanchett** yet? ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/67 "2009-12-17T00:56:20Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > A few 10/10s who have not been mentioned: > > Anne Hathaway > Penélope Cruz > Naomi Watts > Halle Berry See, looks is a double-edged sword in Hollywood. I mean, I think Michelle Pfeiffer has never gotten an Oscar because she’s too pretty to take seriously. On the other hand, Halle Berry got an Oscar just for not wearing makeup. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/68 "2009-12-17T01:00:53Z")
I’d add Christian Bale to the 10/10 list. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/69 "2009-12-17T01:08:14Z")
I think Brad Pitt is awesome. I can’t believe there hasn’t been a mention of Emma Thompson. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/70 "2009-12-17T01:18:56Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > See, looks is a double-edged sword in Hollywood. I mean, I think Michelle Pfeiffer has never gotten an Oscar because she’s too pretty to take seriously. On the other hand, Halle Berry got an Oscar just for not wearing makeup. I was going to prove you wrong by mentioning Jungle Fever, but I don’t think she wore makeup in that either. She’s still a good actor. Even though most of her movies suck, it’s never because of her acting. ETA: What role do you think Pfeiffer deserves an Oscar for? ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/71 "2009-12-17T01:29:55Z")
Never mind. Misunderstood. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/72 "2009-12-17T01:49:09Z")
Emma Thompson, while at times attractive, isn’t beautiful, IMHO. **Argent Towers** , although I’m a straight dude, I’d say Daniel Craig has an offhanded charm (when he cares to use it) and is handsome in a brutal kind of way. I think he’s shown both skill and dramatic range in the roles in which I’ve seen him, including both Bond films, as well as _Infamous_ and _Defiance_. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/73 "2009-12-17T02:01:51Z")
I think Daniel Craig is right there with Nicolas Cage, Kevin Costner and John Wayne in the “can only play one kind of character - himself” category. In the context of a good movie, like _Defiance,_ it works. In the context of a bad movie like _Enduring Love,_ it doesn’t. But whatever movie he’s in, I feel he’s basically playing “Daniel Craig.” The tough brute with a heart of gold and a sensitive vulnerability underneath his rough exterior. I really do not see a great deal of range in Craig’s acting. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/74 "2009-12-17T02:11:01Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > I assumed he was talking about her voice, and not her height. The thread was about looks and talent, since he just called her a chipmunk I figured he was referring to her looks/size. And if he thinks a squeaky voice is all there is to her then he’s never heard her sing. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/75 "2009-12-17T02:14:43Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I think Daniel Craig is right there with Nicolas Cage, Kevin Costner and John Wayne in the “can only play one kind of character - himself” category. In the context of a good movie, like _Defiance,_ it works. In the context of a bad movie like _Enduring Love,_ it doesn’t. But whatever movie he’s in, I feel he’s basically playing “Daniel Craig.” The tough brute with a heart of gold and a sensitive vulnerability underneath his rough exterior. I really do not see a great deal of range in Craig’s acting. He was great, and playing against the type you mention, in [Our Friends In the North](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Friends_in_the_North) along with all the rest of the cast. Made for TV, but well worth tracking down. From the same cast and a 10/10: Gina McKee. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/76 "2009-12-17T02:26:23Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Paul Newman- so good in so many ways. Add 10 points for class and we have a perfect score. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/77 "2009-12-17T03:09:14Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > Milla Jovovich I’ve heard Milla Jovovich called many things… good actress is not one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/78 "2009-12-17T03:57:05Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I’ve heard Milla Jovovich called many things… good actress is not one of them. Really? Where has she turned in a bad performance? And while I’m nobly defending actresses, I’ll step in and say a word for Julia Roberts, who always gets attacked for something or other on these boards. Julia Roberts does good work. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Urban\_Spaceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@The\_Urban\_Spaceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Urban_Spaceman)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/79 "2009-12-17T04:19:34Z")
> [@spoke-](#): > > Really? Where has she turned in a bad performance? Milla’s three [Razzie nominations](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000170/awards) aren’t exactly a ringing endorsement of her acting credentials. ---
**Author:** ![Liddle\_Lamsy\_Divey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Liddle\_Lamsy\_Divey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liddle_Lamsy_Divey)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445/80 "2009-12-17T04:35:56Z")
> [@HelloNinja](#): > > I’d add Christian Bale to the 10/10 list. Agreed. Also adding to the list the underrated Romola Garai. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-combined-looks-talent-quotient/521445.md?page=5)