Who the ultimate Hollywood heartthrob was the year you were born and what they look like today — including Jeff Bridges

Who better to take the prize of Hollywood heartthrob for 1980 than Luke Skywalker himself? We're sure Mark Hamill would never cast himself in the role of swoon-worthy star, but in the '70s and '80s Star Wars crossed space and decades with the leading man at the helm of cinema.

Since then, he's returned to the Star Wars franchise, done voice work for Invincible (2021-2026) and starred as the terrifying major in Stephen King adaptation The Long Walk (2025).

Jeremy Irons often brings an upper-class suavity to the screen and 1981 was perhaps the peak of his suited charms. Both The French Lieutenant's Woman and Brideshead Revisited released this year, and both remain costume drama classics. 

He's still a welcome presence on the big screen, cast in films like Palestine 36 (2025), The Beekeeper (2024) and The Cello, as well as TV dramas like The Morning Show and The Count of Monte Cristo. 

While Grease 2 might not be as universally beloved as the original, there's certainly a charm to the sequel and an all-star cast to boot. Maxwell Caulfield brought his dancing shoes to the set, starring as the nerdy British exchange student to Michelle Pfeiffer's cool Pink Lady.

Since graduating from Rydell High, Maxwell has appeared in Chad Michael Murray rom-com The Merry Gentlemen (2024), Emmerdale (2009-2010) and Casualty (2003-2004). 

In 1983, Matt Dillon had a double star-billing in Rumble Fish and The Outsiders. While both focus on gang tensions, Rumble Fish casts Matt as the less-inspiring young brother who leads a struggling gang, while The Outsiders' Dally boasts more street-smarts as a protective greaser.

He's since appeared in rom-com classic There's Something About Mary, recent Wes Anderson feature Asteroid City (2023) and 2025 drama The Fence, directed and co-written by Claire Denis.

Jeff Bridges takes on the role of extraterrestrial leading man in Starman, as an alien who takes the likeness of a widow's late husband. In 2026? A horror movie. In 1984? The catalyst for many a crush.

The Oscar winning star(man) is still keeping up a thriving career on screen, with action hits like Tron: Ares (2025), The Old Man (2022-2024) and Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017).

Andrew McCarthy was at the core of the famous Brat Pack and certainly won over a few hearts as the cynical journalist Kevin Dolenz in St. Elmo's Fire (1985).

The actor is proof that some '80s stars never go out of fashion, continuing to act with projects like Orion (2025), Grace Point (2023) and The Resident (2022-2023). He's also taken on an influential role behind the camera as director of Brats (2024) and The Blacklist (2015-2023).

In 1986, Rob Lowe brought his pretty boy looks to the big screen in About Last Night. When Danny and Debbie, played by Rob and Demi Moore, cross paths, sparks fly and we're treated to the year's best romantic drama.

The Outsiders and St. Elmo's Fire star is still a fixture on screens, appearing in 72 episodes of 9-1-1: Lone Star and recently starring in comedy The Musical. Fans of a cheesy happy ever after should look forward to later in the year, as the Hollywood heartthrob is set to lead the way on In a Holidaze.

Put those sparkles away! Kiefer Sutherland's David sported a spiky platinum blonde do and long leather jacket – much cooler. At least, it was in 1987. If you weren't longing to join the vampire gang, you were likely yearning over the vamp from the wrong side of the tracks.

The Primetime Emmy-winning actor is still busy on screen today, starring in acclaimed drama Rabbit Hole (2023), Christmas comedy Tinsel Town (2025) and doing what he does best in action feature Brothers Under Fire (2026).

Eyeliner, ripped tights and velvet gloves at the ready: it's the '80s bad boy teen heartthrob Christian Slater. As Winona Ryder's Veronica and Christian's J.D. seek out revenge against The Heathers, plenty of teens and tweens were seduced by the sociopathic adolescent.

The True Romance star more recently appeared on Dexter: Original Sin and has several projects in the works, including upcoming heist film How to Rob a Bank and Theo James thriller The Hole.

When he was nearly 60, Sean Connery proved that classic good looks never go out of style. People magazine named the Hollywood heartthrob Sexiest Man Alive for 1989 – we can only assume a copy of the issue sat next to his Oscar.

The actor worked on-screen as 007, starred with Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and action-thriller The Rock. He sadly passed at the age of 90 in 2020.

Tom Cruise makes for a perfect start to the '90s Hollywood heartthrobs with hits like Top Gun, Rain Man and Risky Business to his name. In 1990, People solidified what the people were thinking when he was voted Sexiest Man Alive.

Tom closed out the decade with Nicole Kidman thriller Eyes Wide Shut (1999) and has since stayed a fixture on screen. He's recently returned to the two franchises that brought him stratospheric fame with Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

It's impossible to forget your first cinematic encounter with Patrick Swayze, whether it was holding Demi Moore's hands as they sensually craft pottery or as the suave dance instructor Johnny Castle.

In 1991, he was officially dubbed People's 'Sexiest Man Alive', dancing his way further into our hearts. The star sadly passed in 2009 following a battle against pancreatic cancer.

In 1991, Nick Nolte starred in Cape Fear and The Prince of Tides followed by hits The Player and Lorenzo's Oil in 1992. It's no wonder, then, that People selected Nick as their Sexiest Man Alive for '92.

He's still acting today with recent credits in The Golden Voice (2025), Die My Love (2025) and Crime 101 (2026). 

Beloved John Wick star Keanu Reeves took on the Bard in Much Ado About Nothing, starring as Don John opposite Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh and Denzel Washington.

He also travelled through the Victorian era in Bram Stoker's Dracula and swerved through The Matrix. Recently, Keanu's parodied himself in Always Be My Maybe, returned for John Wick: Chapter 4 and comedy thriller Outcome.

Many young readers will have fallen for Laurie, Jo March's childhood friend in Little Women, but nearly every wide-eyed teen was won over by Christian Bale's on-screen interpretation.

Of course, he's since starred in projects like American Psycho, The Dark Knight and American Hustle – but he'll always be remembered as the March family's neighbour for many of us.

Brad Pitt defined the '90s heartthrob for many fans. From Legends of the Fall to those shiny blonde locks in Interview with the Vampire, he was a clear choice for People's Sexiest Man Alive in 1995.

He's still working on screen and behind the camera, acting in recent features like F1, If and Bullet Train, as well as producing 2026's Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma and 2025's Anemone, written by Daniel Day-Lewis and son Ronan Day-Lewis. 

Denzel Washington was another star name to grace the cover of People, though he's maintained an all-round humble attitude to this day. The Oscar-winner starred in 1996's Courage Under Fire and Christmas comedy The Preacher's Wife. 

These incredibly different roles confirmed Denzel's acting talent to the world and he's been a bankable star ever since. He recently starred in action hits The Equalizer 3, Highest 2 Lowest and Gladiator II.

George Clooney has been dubbed Sexiest Man Alive not once, but twice! If that isn't enough to persuade you of the actor's charms, his rom-com role opposite Michelle Pfeiffer the year prior or action hero capers in 1997's The Peacemaker is sure to do the trick.

His recent credits include a romantic lead opposite Julia Roberts in Ticket to Paradise and a now-iconic series of Nespresso adverts. He's also been credited as an executive producer on HBO documentary Surviving Ohio State and political TV thriller The Agency.

Ever since he manned the Millennium Falcon and won over Carrie Fisher's effortlessly cool Princess Leia, we've had a thing for the sexy smuggler. It turns out that was a pretty common opinion in 1998 as he was named Sexiest Man Alive, the year he starred in action comedy Six Days, Seven Nights.

Harrison Ford returned to the Star Wars franchise for Episode VII, reprising his role as Han Solo, and recently starred again as the whip-wielding Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Richard Gere technically appeared previously on the cover of People but he was dubbed Sexiest Man (not Couple) Alive for the first time in 1999. With some well-timed trainers and questionable journalistic tactics, Richard won the hearts of millions of viewers in Runaway Bride.

The role came nearly a decade after he co-starred with Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. He's returned to the world of rom-coms since, starring in Maybe I Do, comedy drama Longing and TV thriller The Agency.