# Who is the hottest actor/actress with the most acting talent? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 7, 2003, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593 "2003-05-07T04:44:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/1 "2003-05-07T04:44:28Z")
The discussion of action stars’ acting abilities in another thread got me thinking: who are the actor and actress with the biggest combination of (generally accepted) good looks and actual talent? Brad Pitt, for example, is widely drooled over, and many say that he’s quite good as an actor as well. If you think Halle Berry’s Best Actress award is justified, then you might make a similar case for her. So whaddya all think? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lizard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizard)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/2 "2003-05-07T05:09:30Z")
I think you’ve named them both in your OP. But you’re asking about not one, but _two_ very subjective things: looks and acting talent. Hardly anyone who is even a medium-level star in Hollywood is of below-average looks. And a person without great talent can have a spectaculary profitable and successful career if they just choose the right roles. (Arnold Schwarzenegger is the classic example). ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/3 "2003-05-07T05:14:38Z")
Nicole Kidman, perhaps. ---
**Author:** ![moonchilde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3e96dc/32.png) [@moonchilde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moonchilde)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/4 "2003-05-07T05:18:08Z")
Johnny Depp is a fascinating actor to watch ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/5 "2003-05-07T05:20:43Z")
Jennifer Connelly! ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/6 "2003-05-07T05:28:17Z")
Catherine Zeta Jones Michelle Pfeiffer And a couple that I’m sure many would disagree with on either looks or talent: Gwyneth Paltrow and Amanda Peet. Both are very distinctive looking and beautiful and very talented. ---
**Author:** ![sirtonyh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@sirtonyh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sirtonyh)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/7 "2003-05-07T07:15:48Z")
Probably have to be Jodie Foster. But, a number of very “hot” actresses have proven they have talent given the right material; Jennifer Aniston in The Good Girl Halle Berry in Monsters Ball Jennifer Connely in Requiem for a Dream ---
**Author:** ![Intaglio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/71e660/32.png) [@Intaglio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intaglio)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/8 "2003-05-07T12:53:09Z")
Russell Crowe - is a very good actor, easy on the eyes and ears and HOT. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/9 "2003-05-07T12:55:45Z")
Leonardo Dicaprio certainly has the acting ability. I’d also second Johnny Depp. ---
**Author:** ![stylize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@stylize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stylize)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/10 "2003-05-07T13:41:27Z")
Julianne Moore Agreed on Michele Pfeiffer (I think she is underrated as an actress) ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/11 "2003-05-07T15:10:48Z")
I think Bridget Fonda is an underrated actress as well, and was (still is?) quite a hottie. ---
**Author:** ![metroshane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@metroshane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/metroshane)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/12 "2003-05-07T15:13:28Z")
I don’t think Marilyn Monroe gets enough acting credit. It takes a lot to act that dumb.seriously ---
**Author:** ![MSU\_1978](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@MSU\_1978](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MSU_1978)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/13 "2003-05-07T16:36:09Z")
Brittany Snow! Not only is she drop-dead gorgeous, she’s a great actress. I bet she’s a multi-Oscar winner by 2010. ---
**Author:** ![Doublemint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doublemint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doublemint)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/14 "2003-05-07T18:53:50Z")
Ewan McGregor hands down. ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/15 "2003-05-07T19:27:59Z")
It has to be **John Cusack**. What critic doesn’t love him? And, he is incredibly good-looking. ---
**Author:** ![BuckleberryFerry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5f9b8f/32.png) [@BuckleberryFerry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BuckleberryFerry)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/16 "2003-05-07T19:55:32Z")
Elijah Wood, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Cusak ---
**Author:** ![Rib\_Eye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@Rib\_Eye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rib_Eye)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/17 "2003-05-07T19:59:30Z")
Another vote for Jennifer Connelly and also Diane Lane. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/18 "2003-05-07T21:14:39Z")
Naomi Watts. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/19 "2003-05-07T22:35:46Z")
Winona Ryder. And Drew Barrymore. ---
**Author:** ![FranticMad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c68b51/32.png) [@FranticMad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FranticMad)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593/20 "2003-05-07T23:46:48Z")
Sharon Stone in Casino. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-hottest-actor-actress-with-the-most-acting-talent/173593.md?page=2)