# Sexiest people in their 40s **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 24, 2021, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551 "2021-03-24T05:54:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/1 "2021-03-24T05:54:48Z")
I hit 46 a couple months ago, and on most days I waffle between “My freaking joints just don’t seem to line up inside my chubby-ass body anymore” and “I’m still pretty ok-looking, love handles and all.” But I know, squint as I might, I’m not the sexiest 40-something out there. Hell, I’m not even the sexiest 40-something in my house (hello, wife!). So who you got for sexiest person in their 40s, significant others notwithstanding (hello, wife!)? Not people in their 20s, not their 70s, not their 30s, not their 60s, [not their 50s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-famous-people-in-their-50s/719879): Their 40s. Who are the sexiest 40-somethings in FamousPersonLand? I’ll start: [Shakira](https://www.google.com/search?q=shakira+girl+like+me&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS901US901&sxsrf=ALeKk00huEIBbEK88GEuDJlKeuCr64w2LQ:1616565197204&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwivjtfSnsjvAhXKB80KHc1CBkgQ_AUoA3oECAEQBQ&biw=1280&bih=610&dpr=1.5) (age 44). Almost not fair, since she looks the same as she did in her early 30s. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/2 "2021-03-24T08:26:59Z")
[Sarah Michelle Gellar is still pretty hot into her forties.](https://www.google.com/search?q=sarah+michelle+gellar+2021&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS924US924&hl=en-US&sxsrf=ALeKk00CNYmIcexel7vmj-hc7GnwjUeYAw%3A1616573995304&ei=K_ZaYIzwEZiqtQan8ZKAAw&oq=sarah+michelle+gellar+2021&gs_lcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAMyAggAMgYIABAWEB4yBQgAEIYDMgUIABCGAzIFCAAQhgMyBQgAEIYDMgUIABDNAjIFCAAQzQI6BwguECcQkwI6BAgAEEM6BwgAEIcCEBQ6AgguOgUILhCTAlCpLVj0VmD4WmgAcAB4AIABjQGIAYkFkgEDMi40mAEAoAEBwAEB&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp) Ditto [Rose McGowan](https://www.google.com/search?q=rose+mcgowan+2021&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS924US924&hl=en-US&prmd=niv&sxsrf=ALeKk0367fh9VHRWvg7aXYt2vDaos_iK4Q:1616574153848&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiXosWBwMjvAhXNQs0KHfGQCWsQ_AUoAnoECAkQAg&biw=320&bih=454#imgrc=XsfAynzaAQDi1M) at 47. We can’t forget about [Zooey Deschanell](https://www.google.com/search?q=zooey+deschanel+2021&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwi-1KDFwMjvAhWJWKwKHau0AdMQ2-cCegQIABAC&oq=zooey+deschanel+2021&gs_lcp=ChJtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1pbWcQAzIFCAAQsQMyBggAEAUQHjIGCAAQCBAeMgYIABAIEB4yBggAEAgQHjoECCMQJzoHCAAQsQMQQzoCCABQkiVYnEdgkk1oAHAAeACAAWiIAc4EkgEDMy4zmAEAoAEBwAEB&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-img&ei=V_daYP7MM4mxsQWr6YaYDQ&bih=454&biw=320&prmd=niv) or [Drew Barrymore](https://www.google.com/search?q=drew+barrymore+2021&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiblb3KwMjvAhVSZawKHYlEDIMQ2-cCegQIABAC&oq=drew+2021&gs_lcp=ChJtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1pbWcQARgCMgIIADIGCAAQBxAeMgYIABAHEB4yBggAEAcQHjIGCAAQBxAeOgQIIxAnOgYIABAIEB46BwgjELACECc6BAgAEAM6BwgAELEDEENQ6OQEWPuABWDYiQVoAHAAeACAAZsDiAGeEZIBCDE2LjMuNC0xmAEAoAEBwAEB&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-img&ei=YvdaYJvcMNLKsQWJibGYCA&bih=454&biw=320&prmd=niv). ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/3 "2021-03-24T08:41:12Z")
Anna Faris (age 44), who can disturb my sleep anytime she wants. > **[Anna Faris](https://scarymovie.fandom.com/wiki/Anna_Faris)** > > Anna Faris is an American comedy actress, possibly best known for playing the role of Cindy Campbell in the Scary Movie franchise. She now stars in the TV series "Mom" playing the character Christy Plunkett. Born November 29, 1976 0f Scottish, Irish,... ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/4 "2021-03-24T09:15:19Z")
And Charlize Theron is still stunning at 45 ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/5 "2021-03-24T09:54:18Z")
Is this only about the ladies? Because Ryan Reynolds is 44. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/6 "2021-03-24T10:48:55Z")
[Moderating] Let’s lay down some ground rules, here: 1: Given that the OP is judging both his own attractiveness and that of women to whom he is attracted, let us assume that this applies equally to both genders. 2: It’s one thing to say “so-and-so is sexy”, and another, creepier, thing to say “I’d like to have sex with so-and-so”. Let’s leave the latter out of this thread. 3: Physical appearance is a job qualification for actors, models, and certain other categories of celebrities. It is not a job qualification for politicians, businesspeople, athletes, authors, or many other categories of well-known people, who would undoubtedly prefer to be known for their skills or accomplishments, rather than their appearance. So let’s stick to that first category. 4: Let’s try to avoid creepiness in general. I’m sure I haven’t managed to think of every possible way people could be creepy, here. If you think of some other way to be creepy, please keep it to yourself. I’ll be monitoring this thread, and may come back with further instructions or moderation. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/7 "2021-03-24T12:05:00Z")
Sofia Vergara (nearly 50, but actually better looking now than in her 20s) Not Julie Bowen (just passed 50, but same as Sofia, better looking now) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/8 "2021-03-24T13:44:24Z")
I was going to say Jennifer Aniston since I just saw her on an Aveena commercial, but I checked and she’s 52. Christ, time does pass quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/9 "2021-03-24T15:17:26Z")
Yes, and thank you for that. I meant to say this isn’t just for straight guys. And please don’t make this thread creepy. It’s meant more to appreciate the beauty/sexiness of those falling in the middle part of middle age. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/10 "2021-03-24T15:58:45Z")
Ben Affleck - 49 Bradley Cooper - 47 Jake Gyllenhaal - 41 Ryan Reynolds - 45 John Krasinski - 42 Chris Pine - 41 Jason Momoa - 42 Just to name a few! ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/11 "2021-03-24T16:10:11Z")
I suppose… but lets be honest: Ryan Reynolds is an \*\*\* \*\*\*\*. You’d have to drink half his gin to just get past that… ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/12 "2021-03-24T16:15:42Z")
I think a lot of women in their 40s are very attractive. And I do not see why this should be unusual or a big surprise, if they have taken care of themselves and perhaps benefitted from some luck. (It’s a median age. Not young but not old). If they were women known for their beauty when they were younger, of course they might still be attractive. Sexiness and beauty are _very_ different things. I suspect of a fair number of celebrities IRL are much more beautiful than sexy. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/13 "2021-03-24T16:49:02Z")
Man, we’ve really become a prudish lot… ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/14 "2021-03-24T16:50:16Z")
Most of them are really pro at polishing up. Might be neither beautiful nor sexy in a ragged sweatshirt, but can quickly transform to either or both on cue when they want to. What the 40-somethings have going for them is excellent preservation. They started from a high base of attractiveness and have worked diligently to retain it. Sometimes too diligently; as shown by some of the horrific plastic surgery done to some of these people. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/15 "2021-03-24T16:57:02Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > It’s one thing to say “so-and-so is sexy”, and another, creepier, thing to say “I’d like to have sex with so-and-so”. That’s kinda what “sexy” means? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/16 "2021-03-24T17:00:14Z")
There’s “sex,” and then there’s “LOOOOOOOOOOOVE”!!! 🥰 ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/17 "2021-03-24T17:02:58Z")
One is explicit, the other is implicit. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/18 "2021-03-24T17:17:08Z")
So–it is like saying that food looks delicious, but not mentioning the possibility that one might wish to eat it. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/19 "2021-03-24T17:23:14Z")
[Further discussion of the rules can be found here.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s-rules/938593) ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551/20 "2021-03-24T19:36:55Z")
I’m not sure that’s the right analogy. I think Jason Momoa is sexy as hell, but I don’t want to have sex with him. As a straight male, I don’t want to have sex with any men. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s/938551.md?page=2)