# What current actors would be most hurt/helped by doing a nude scene? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 17, 2008, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620 "2008-05-17T01:27:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/41 "2008-05-18T03:24:11Z")
I doubt any actress, including L. Lohan, would be hurt by a nude scene if it was in a relatively serious movie. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/42 "2008-05-18T03:51:45Z")
[QUOTE=Yookeroo] I doubt any actress, including L. Lohan, would be hurt by a nude scene if it was in a relatively serious movie. [/QUOTE] Or a not-very-well-known one. Sure, we all know that the GORGEOUS Ms. Anne Hathaway did a brief topless scene in _Brokeback Mountain_ but how many know she also did a much longer topless/sex scene in some random indie film I don’t know the name of but have seen that clip from? Or that Reese Witherspoon also has a topless scene in some indie film? I think it helps that you’re considered a serious and good actor/actress to start with. If you’re a crummy one, people will say you did it just to boost your crappy career. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/43 "2008-05-18T05:22:35Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] If Ryan Reynolds would do an extended nude scene it would help ME… [/QUOTE] You might want to see _[Buying the Cow](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0218864/)_. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/44 "2008-05-18T06:03:34Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] OK, but we ain’t seen his goods **lately** and I don’t think we wanna. [/QUOTE] Why – do you think they have changed significantly since he did those films? Male genitalia don’t change much at all after puberty. ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/45 "2008-05-18T11:18:02Z")
I agree with **Mister Rik** - if I want nudity I watch porn, where there is far more likely a chance of something interesting happening anyway. Sure there are actors that I think are hot that I’m happy to see in less clothing so I can check out their bods, but nudity? And I think _Forgetting Sarah Marshall_ reminded us that full frontal male nudity isn’t a good thing as a falcid penis is not attractive (erect yes, very, falcid, no, not at all). Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed _Short Bus_ which was full of nudity and actual sex, but then it actually made sense and fitted in to what was happening in the film (as opposed to _Nine Songs_ which was just a bad porn film pretending to be serious film). Nudity dropped into a film for the sake of it being there really isn’t necessary to me - I have no problem with it, but at least contextualise it rather than doing it as a cheap way of drawing in the punters (“Hey let’s go see this movie - you can see Orlando Bloom’s dick in it!”). ---
**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:** [May 18, 2008, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/46 "2008-05-18T14:10:56Z")
[QUOTE=FriarTed] DUUUUUUDE! _holds lighter in the air_ You’re our hero! [/QUOTE] Um..thanks. (Didn’t you and I just have this discussion in another thread?) ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/47 "2008-05-18T16:04:32Z")
[QUOTE=Evil Captor] It’s so wonderful to see such wonderful concern for Ms Watson evinced here. Truly, the Dope is filled with enlightenment. [/QUOTE] Hell, I’d be willing to let her be known as “that movie star girl who they found bouncing up and down on that librarian.” But, you know me, I give 'til it hurts. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/48 "2008-05-18T22:32:31Z")
> [@](#): > > originally posted by **bouv** > Sure, we all know that the GORGEOUS Ms. Anne Hathaway did a brief topless scene in Brokeback Mountain but how many know she also did a much longer topless/sex scene in some random indie film I don’t know the name of but have seen that clip from? [Havoc](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285175/) featured both T from Ms Hathaway, and T&A from Bijou Phillips. And lots of Important Social Commentary, so you can pretend you are interested in it as an Art Film. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/49 "2008-05-19T00:27:02Z")
I’m eagerly anticipating the forthcoming Fred Thompson-Queen Latifah nude sex scene. In Panavision, on the Extra-Extra Large Screen. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/50 "2008-05-19T00:58:32Z")
[QUOTE=Krokodil] Emma Watson–18 yrs 1 mo. old–is doomed to be pigeonholed as “that Harry Potter chick” unless she takes drastic action. I have that poor girl’s career’s best interests in mind. [/QUOTE] Not a movie, but I’d say going nude in Equus helped that Harry Potter\* guy get known for something else. I guess time will tell if it will help his career survive the end of the Potter series. \*[sub]though apparently, not well enough so that I can remember his name.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/51 "2008-05-19T01:07:21Z")
[QUOTE=FriarTed] Natalie Portman Allyson Hannigan [/QUOTE] In the same scene? 🆒 Err… excuse me… I have to… ummm… ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/52 "2008-05-19T01:58:50Z")
Jessica Alba and Elisha Cuthbert, fully naked, french kissing each other for three hours. It would help their careers because I’d buy a ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/53 "2008-05-19T02:16:23Z")
[QUOTE=Simplicio] Not a movie, but I’d say going nude in Equus helped that Harry Potter\* guy get known for something else. I guess time will tell if it will help his career survive the end of the Potter series. \*[sub]though apparently, not well enough so that I can remember his name.[/sub] [/QUOTE] Rupert Grint, the third Harry Potter kid, starred in **Driving Lessons** , a mildly racy PG-13 film. I think ten years from now, he’ll have the biggest career of the three. Emma Watson has a morals clause in her contract not to act like Lindsey Lohan for the duration of the remaining Harry Potter films. Presumably, the two boys have something similar in their contracts. I see no reason she couldn’t do a film on par with **Equus**. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/54 "2008-05-19T03:42:00Z")
Emma Watson did a TV movie, _Ballet Shoes_, last year. In it, she has a bath scene with the actress playing her sister. She ain’t wearin’ no clothes in that scene, but they’re both fully immersed in cloudy opaque water. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/55 "2008-05-19T12:07:21Z")
[QUOTE=KneadToKnow] I’m not arguing with you, but you’re speaking in the hypothetical about both of these. Did you miss _About Schmidt_? [/QUOTE] Oh, she’s been a lot nuder than that - check out _At Play in the Fields of the Lord_ some time. (Unfortunately, it’s not out on DVD, but it’s really worth a video rental) ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/56 "2008-05-19T13:07:39Z")
[QUOTE=Love Rhombus] My list I’d like to see: Sarah Polley, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jordanna Brewster, Sarah Carter, Allison Mack, Emmanuelle Chriqui. [/QUOTE] Sarah Polley “The Secret Life of Words” Jordanna Brewster “Nearing Grace” “The Invisible Circus” ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/57 "2008-05-19T14:05:37Z")
[QUOTE=t-bonham@scc.net] Why – do you think they have changed significantly since he did those films? Male genitalia don’t change much at all after puberty. [/QUOTE] No – but the **rest** of the body eventually starts to sag and wrinkle. ---
**Author:** ![hotflungwok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/58 "2008-05-19T14:49:55Z")
What about Jennifer Love Hewitt? I’ve always heard that she will never do nude scenes. ---
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/59 "2008-05-19T18:05:44Z")
Since I’m of the opinion that every hot actress should do a nude scene, it’s surprising that I hate gratuitus scenes. If you’re going to have somone naked, do it right. I know when I get up after a hot and heavy lovemaking session, my boxers aren’t on. Likewise I’ve never had a partner that carefully aranged the sheets to cover her breasts. Now that I’m married, nudity between husband and wife is pretty casual. I’d like to see that. Not more “Gee, she’s flashing her boobs and butt” scenes. If that makes sense. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620/60 "2008-05-19T18:18:00Z")
I didn’t answer my own question. Hmm. As hot as I think Natalie Portman is, I think she was right to regret going nude in _Hotel Chevalier_, and I rather hope she thinks long and hard before doing another nude scene. I’d rather she concentrated on giving good performances than inspiring circle-jerks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-current-actors-would-be-most-hurt-helped-by-doing-a-nude-scene/449620.md?page=4)