This has evolved into quite a fascinating thread.

In a message dated 3/20/01 12:53:37 PM Eastern Standard Time, nydersdyner@yahoo.co.uk writes:

<< Um, well, debatable. I'm not sure, for instance, that anybody particularly expected Patrick Stewart to become a sex symbol, and frankly I consider Bela Lugosi a very good actor, but I think very few people would choose him as a sex partner even if he weren't forty years in the grave :).<<

By the standards of the 1930's era when he first hit the public eye as "Dracula", first in the theatrical play and then the movie, he was regarded as very exotic-looking, continental and sexy, particularly in Europe. Standards of screen heart-throb have changed many times in the 70 years since.

...

Furthermore, actors' desirability and their acting

ability are not fixed factors: Peter Cushing started out playing young hunky heroes, but is better known for the sinister villains he played in his fifties onwards, and the actors who seem to inspire the biggest crushes are not always the ones with the best acting/imitating abilities (witness Leonardo DiCaprio).<<

Absolutely right. Some fans go ga-ga over Brad Pitt, who looks as ugly as sin to others. You'll see variations of taste (thank goodness) between every individual, but the media does tend to try and steer our tastes into convenient marketing trends with respect to popular celebrities. 'Steering the crush', if you will. One result has been the disgustingly thin actress which has now become the studio norm.

Leah