Ryan Gosling became the ultimate 2000s heartthrob after playing Noah Calhoun in The Notebook, a role that defined romance movies for a whole generation. Director Nick Cassavetes famously cast him because he wasn’t the typical Hollywood “handsome” or “cool,” which made his performance feel authentic. Gosling elevated the role with raw, improvised moments that turned Noah into an unforgettable romantic lead. | © New Line Cinema
Hayden Christensen became a 2000s heartthrob as Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels, even if his performance was divisive at first. Over time, fans came to appreciate the depth he brought to a character torn by fear, trauma, and power. His recent return in Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka has only strengthened the reappraisal, making him a fan favorite once again. | © New Line Cinema
Milo Ventimiglia stole hearts in the 2000s as Jess Mariano on Gilmore Girls, the rebellious bad boy fans couldn’t stop rooting for. His chemistry with Rory made their relationship one of the show’s most intense and memorable, sparking endless “Team Jess” debates. Even with his flaws, audiences connected to the softer sides he showed, cementing him as a beloved TV heartthrob. | © Freestyle Releasing
Keanu Reeves captured hearts in the 2000s not just through blockbuster roles like The Matrix series, but through the kindness he showed off-screen. Stories of him giving up his subway seat, helping crew members, and treating colleagues with generosity made him stand out in Hollywood. His mix of star power and humility turned him into one of the most beloved figures of the decade. | © 20th Century Studios
Penn Badgley first won fans as Dan Humphrey, the “lonely boy” on Gossip Girl, which cemented him as a teen heartthrob of the 2000s. Years later, he took on a darker turn as Joe Goldberg in You, a role that was both unsettling and strangely captivating. His ability to shift from charming romantic lead to twisted antihero has kept audiences fascinated with him ever since. | © 20th Century Fox
Chad Michael Murray defined the early 2000s heartthrob era with roles in One Tree Hill, Gilmore Girls, and Dawson’s Creek. His brooding looks and standout roles in teen hits like A Cinderella Story and Freaky Friday made him the crush of an entire generation. Even today, he remains a nostalgic favorite for fans who grew up watching him. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Paul Rudd became a 2000s heartthrob with his easygoing charm and roles in comedies like Clueless, Anchorman, and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. His mix of humor and boyish looks made him the kind of actor audiences felt comfortable watching again and again. Even today, he’s kept his appeal going strong, later stepping into blockbuster territory as Marvel’s Ant-Man. | © A+E Networks
Leonardo DiCaprio was one of the ultimate heartthrobs of the 2000s, starring in hits like The Aviator, The Departed, and Catch Me If You Can. He built a career playing powerful, confident men, which only added to his leading-man image. While some miss the raw vulnerability he showed in early roles like What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, his star power has never faded. | © MGM
Brad Pitt was already a major star by the 2000s, but films like Troy, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and the Ocean’s Eleven series cemented his status as a Hollywood heartthrob. His mix of action roles and romantic charm made him one of the decade’s most talked-about leading men. Off-screen, his high-profile relationships kept him firmly in the public eye. | © Netflix
Orlando Bloom became a global heartthrob in the 2000s thanks to his roles as Legolas in The Lord of the Rings and Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean. He also appeared in Black Hawk Down, showing his range beyond fantasy and adventure. While his career has slowed, he’s taken on projects like Carnival Row and now focuses on raising his daughter with Katy Perry. | © Universal Studios
Taylor Lautner rose to fame as Jacob Black in the Twilight saga, quickly becoming one of the most recognizable heartthrobs of the 2000s. His werewolf role turned him into a teen idol and sparked endless “Team Edward vs. Team Jacob” debates. After Twilight, he worked in both TV and film, though fans still remember him most for his breakout role. | © Summit Entertainment
Josh Hartnett was a major 2000s heartthrob with standout roles in Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down, and 40 Days and 40 Nights. His mix of dramatic and romantic parts made him a fan favorite, and he was even considered for Batman. After time away, he returned with Oppenheimer and the thriller Trap, reminding audiences why they loved him. | © Miramax Films
Zac Efron shot to fame with High School Musical and Hairspray, quickly becoming the teen idol of the late 2000s. His mix of acting and singing talent made him a romantic lead fans couldn’t get enough of. He’s since built a steady career in comedy and drama, most recently earning praise for his role in The Iron Claw. | © Lifetime Television
Patrick Dempsey became a household name as Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy, a role that made him one of TV’s biggest heartthrobs of the 2000s. Off-screen, he charmed audiences in romantic comedies like Sweet Home Alabama and Made of Honor, as well as Disney’s Enchanted. Even after leaving the show, he’s kept busy with films, racing cars, and in 2023, he was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive. | © Good Deed Entertainment
Robert Pattinson first caught attention as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, but it was Twilight that made him a worldwide heartthrob. His role as Edward Cullen turned him into the face of an entire teen generation, even if he later admitted he wasn’t a big fan of the saga. Since then, he’s carved out a respected career with roles in The Lighthouse and The Batman, proving he’s much more than a vampire crush. | © Summit Entertainment
The 2000s gave us a whole new wave of Hollywood crushes, from brooding TV bad boys to leading men in blockbuster romances. These heartthrobs defined an era with their looks, charm, and unforgettable roles. Here are 15 stars everyone was obsessed with back then.
