The Most Handsome Actors Of The 2000s

The 2000s delivered a wave of leading men who anchored major franchises, collected awards, and headlined global box office hits, and their careers defined much of the decade’s pop culture. Here are male actors whose work in that era was everywhere from prestige dramas to crowd pleasing blockbusters, with roles that are easy to revisit today.

Brad Pitt

He balanced prestige and blockbuster work with performances in ‘Babel’ and ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ while also leading ‘Troy’ and the ‘Ocean’s’ series. His production company Plan B backed award winning projects throughout the decade. He remained a constant presence at major festivals and award shows. His global box office totals stayed strong across multiple genres.

George Clooney

He fronted the ‘Ocean’s’ trilogy and won acclaim for ‘Syriana’ and ‘Michael Clayton’. As a director he delivered ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’ and expanded his range behind the camera. He became a frequent nominee at the Oscars and Golden Globes. Brand partnerships and humanitarian work kept him in the public eye beyond film.

Leonardo DiCaprio

He collaborated repeatedly with Martin Scorsese in ‘Gangs of New York’, ‘The Aviator’ and ‘The Departed’. His choices skewed toward ambitious dramas with strong box office returns. He earned multiple award nominations across the decade. International releases kept his films prominent worldwide.

Tom Cruise

He sustained franchise momentum with ‘Mission Impossible’ entries while headlining ‘Minority Report’, ‘The Last Samurai’ and ‘Collateral’. His films dominated global markets with consistent opening weekends. He worked with directors like Steven Spielberg and Michael Mann to diversify genres. Action and dramatic roles kept his slate varied.

Hugh Jackman

He became globally known through the ‘X Men’ series and branched out with ‘The Prestige’ and ‘Australia’. Stage work continued alongside film with high profile performances. He hosted major award ceremonies and maintained a strong public image. His versatility covered action, drama and musical projects.

Keanu Reeves

He carried ‘The Matrix’ sequels to major international numbers. He followed with action and genre titles like ‘Constantine’ and ‘Street Kings’. His projects maintained a strong home entertainment footprint. He developed a reputation for practical stunt work and fan friendly appearances.

Orlando Bloom

He rose quickly with central roles in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. Historical adventures like ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ kept him on large scale productions. His films performed strongly in overseas markets. Fashion and brand campaigns expanded his profile beyond cinema.

Johnny Depp

He reinvented his career with ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ while continuing with ‘Finding Neverland’ and ‘Sweeney Todd’. Frequent collaborations with Tim Burton produced distinctive box office draws. He earned multiple Oscar nominations across the decade. Global merchandising tied to his franchise roles boosted visibility.

Christian Bale

He relaunched a major superhero brand with ‘Batman Begins’ and delivered acclaimed turns in ‘The Machinist’ and ‘The Prestige’. His preparation methods became widely discussed in media coverage. He worked with top directors and ensembles throughout the decade. Critical response and box office both trended upward.

Ryan Gosling

He broke out with ‘The Notebook’ and earned critical praise for ‘Half Nelson’. Independent dramas established his credibility early. He became a festival regular with strong reviews. His projects translated well to international audiences through word of mouth.

Jake Gyllenhaal

He gained attention with ‘Donnie Darko’ and followed with ‘Brokeback Mountain’ and ‘Zodiac’. He worked with directors like Ang Lee and David Fincher to build a serious filmography. His roles mixed character driven drama with thriller elements. Awards recognition and critical acclaim grew steadily.

Heath Ledger

He delivered a landmark performance in ‘Brokeback Mountain’ and joined ‘The Dark Knight’ production before the decade ended. Earlier roles like ‘A Knight’s Tale’ showcased range across genres. He received significant festival and critics’ circle attention. Posthumous accolades cemented his impact on the era.

Jude Law

He stayed in demand with ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ momentum carrying into ‘Cold Mountain’, ‘Closer’ and ‘Alfie’. He balanced period pieces with contemporary dramas. Major fashion campaigns kept him visible beyond film. His stage work in London and New York reinforced his versatility.

Ewan McGregor

He anchored the ‘Star Wars’ prequels while appearing in ‘Moulin Rouge’ and ‘Big Fish’. Musical and fantasy titles broadened his appeal. He continued to work across independent and studio projects. International press tours kept him a regular presence worldwide.

Josh Hartnett

He led ‘Pearl Harbor’ and ‘Black Hawk Down’ and later turned to smaller films like ‘Lucky Number Slevin’. Early career choices placed him in large ensemble productions. He maintained a strong teen and young adult fan base. Strategic shifts to independent cinema diversified his roles.

Ben Affleck

He headlined studio releases like ‘Pearl Harbor’, ‘Daredevil’ and ‘The Sum of All Fears’. Toward the end of the decade he moved into directing with ‘Gone Baby Gone’. His public profile stayed high through awards and media coverage. Collaborations with major studios kept his output steady.

Channing Tatum

He emerged with ‘Step Up’ and built momentum with ‘G.I. Joe’ and ‘Stop Loss’. Dance and action roles helped establish a broad audience. He worked consistently across franchise and standalone titles. Modeling and commercials supported his early recognition.

Zac Efron

He rose to prominence with the ‘High School Musical’ series. He transitioned to features like ‘Hairspray’ and ’17 Again’. His projects drew strong youth and family audiences. Touring and music tie ins expanded his reach beyond film.

Chris Evans

He gained attention with ‘Fantastic Four’ and genre entries like ‘Sunshine’. He built a reputation in ensemble casts and action roles. Convention appearances and fan events supported his visibility. Late decade choices set up a move into larger franchises.

Gerard Butler

He led ‘300’ to a breakout performance worldwide and followed with ‘P.S. I Love You’ and ‘RocknRolla’. He alternated between action and romance to broaden appeal. His films performed well in international markets. Voice work and producing credits added to his portfolio.

Matt Damon

He led the ‘Bourne’ series with tightly choreographed action and strong global turnout. He balanced franchise work with prestige titles like ‘The Departed’ and ‘Syriana’. His collaborations with directors such as Paul Greengrass and Martin Scorsese drew critical attention. He also co wrote and produced projects that kept his profile steady across the decade.

Will Smith

He headlined crowd pleasers like ‘Men in Black II’, ‘I Robot’ and ‘Hitch’ with consistent international appeal. Dramatic turns in ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ and ‘Ali’ brought major award nominations. Soundtrack singles and global press tours amplified his reach. He maintained a reliable run of summer releases with strong opening weekends.

Denzel Washington

He earned acclaim with ‘Training Day’ and followed with popular thrillers like ‘Man on Fire’ and ‘Inside Man’. He balanced acting with directing by launching ‘Antwone Fisher’. His performances drew steady recognition from major guilds and critics groups. Box office returns stayed healthy across both action and drama.

Daniel Craig

He relaunched a flagship spy franchise with ‘Casino Royale’ and ‘Quantum of Solace’. Physical stunt work and location heavy shoots defined the new era of the series. Outside the role he appeared in ‘Layer Cake’ and ‘Defiance’ to broaden his slate. International grosses placed him among the decade’s bankable leads.

Tobey Maguire

He became widely known through ‘Spider Man’ and its sequels with strong domestic and overseas totals. Earlier acclaim from ‘The Cider House Rules’ and ‘Wonder Boys’ supported his dramatic credentials. He mixed studio projects with smaller dramas to avoid typecasting. Marketing campaigns and convention appearances kept the franchise in public view.

Paul Walker

He rose to fame with ‘The Fast and the Furious’ and returned for multiple entries as the series expanded. He appeared in adventure and thriller titles like ‘Into the Blue’ and ‘Running Scared’. His films built a devoted fan base through home media and television reruns. International markets responded strongly to the car centered storytelling.

Vin Diesel

He anchored ‘The Fast and the Furious’ and ‘xXx’ while also leading ‘The Chronicles of Riddick’. His distinctive voice brought additional visibility through animation work in earlier years that carried forward. He returned to key franchises to boost global grosses late in the decade. Producing credits helped shape the direction of his signature series.

Matthew McConaughey

He maintained steady output with romantic comedies like ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ and ‘Failure to Launch’. Adventure titles such as ‘Sahara’ kept him active in large scale productions. He used the decade to build a broad audience across genres. Endorsements and public appearances sustained a high media presence.

Colin Farrell

He moved from breakout roles to major studio work with ‘Minority Report’, ‘Miami Vice’ and ‘Alexander’. He alternated between commercial projects and smaller films like ‘In Bruges’. Directors turned to him for contemporary crime stories and historical epics. Festival premieres and European press tours kept him visible worldwide.

Clive Owen

He gained attention with ‘Closer’ and led action entries like ‘Shoot Em Up’ and ‘Inside Man’. Science fiction drama ‘Children of Men’ added prestige to his filmography. He was frequently cast as a modern antihero in thrillers. Awards recognition and magazine covers kept him in the spotlight.

Eric Bana

He moved from Australian acclaim to Hollywood with ‘Black Hawk Down’ and ‘Hulk’. Historical epics like ‘Troy’ and dramas like ‘Munich’ expanded his range. He often worked with high profile directors on location heavy productions. International releases contributed a large share of his totals.

Gael García Bernal

He earned global notice with ‘Y Tu Mamá También’ and ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’. He chose character driven stories across Spanish and English language productions. Festival circuits in Europe and the Americas supported his rise. He also produced and later directed projects to strengthen Latin American cinema ties.

Javier Bardem

He delivered intense performances in ‘No Country for Old Men’ and ‘The Sea Inside’. Earlier work across Spain carried into English language films with strong reviews. He collaborated with directors like the Coen brothers and Alejandro Amenábar. Awards from major academies and critics groups highlighted his impact.

Ashton Kutcher

He combined television fame from ‘That 70s Show’ with films like ‘The Butterfly Effect’ and ‘What Happens in Vegas’. He produced popular hidden camera television that drew high ratings. Social media adoption kept his audience engaged throughout the decade. Romantic comedies and thrillers gave him regular box office entries.

Shia LaBeouf

He moved from television to features with ‘Disturbia’ and ‘Eagle Eye’ and joined ‘Transformers’. He worked with Steven Spielberg on both science fiction and adventure projects. His films drew significant youth demographics and repeat viewings. Franchises and sequels kept his schedule full near the decade’s end.

James Franco

He portrayed real figures in ‘James Dean’ and joined major ensembles in ‘Spider Man’. Independent films like ‘Milk’ and ‘Pineapple Express’ showed range across drama and comedy. He balanced acting with writing and directing experiments. University programs and art projects broadened his public profile.

Robert Pattinson

He surged to international prominence with ‘Twilight’ as the series launched in the late 2000s. Earlier roles included ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ which introduced him to a wide audience. He combined franchise commitments with smaller dramas to diversify quickly. Global press tours and fan events drove significant attention.

Daniel Radcliffe

He led the ‘Harry Potter’ films through multiple installments during the decade. Stage work in London signaled a shift toward challenging material. He maintained a rigorous production schedule that aligned with the book releases. Merchandise and theme park tie ins reinforced the series footprint.

Idris Elba

He gained critical notice on television with ‘The Wire’ and transitioned into films like ‘American Gangster’ and ‘RocknRolla’. He frequently alternated between British and American productions. Music and DJ work kept his brand active beyond screen roles. Late decade projects set up larger leading parts in the years that followed.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

He reintroduced himself to audiences with ‘Brick’ and ‘The Lookout’ after early television success. Romantic drama ‘500 Days of Summer’ capped the decade with strong word of mouth. He founded a collaborative online production company to support creative projects. His choices emphasized character focused stories that played well at festivals.

Share your favorites from the 2000s in the comments and tell us who you would add to the list.