There are many reasons we tune into our favorite TV shows week after week. It might be tear-jerking plots, jokes that make us cry with laughter, or a pleasant mixture of both. But as much as we admire the talent that goes into every single part of making a series, on screen and off, we’re here to discuss (and drool over) those who make our hearts beat a little faster every time we see them.
That’s right, we’re talking about hunks. All of the beautiful actors who have flashed their winning smiles — and maybe a set of six-pack abs — on our screens. The term “hunk” can apply to a variety of gentlemen we’ve tuned into over the years, though, not just the ones who spend all their free time at the gym. Who can honestly say they haven’t crushed on the lovable goof on a hilarious sitcom at one point or another, right? Yeah, we’re looking at you, Joey Tribbani fans: “How you doin’?”
But hey, if a dreamboat also happens to have a shredded physique while they make us laugh — or wish we could be their shoulder to cry on — we’re certainly not complaining. With that in mind, we scoured the archives of television history to dig up the most attractive, charming, and talented men who’ve graced our screens over the years.
Take a look to see if your favorite actor made the cut as one of the top 30 TV hunks of all time!
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30. Desi Arnaz, I Love Lucy (1951-1957)
As Ricky Ricardo, Desi Arnaz learned how to keep a straight face while his fictional and real-life wife got into trouble — and set the standard for what it meant to be both dreamy and hilarious at the same time.
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29. John Ritter, Three's Company (1976-1984)
When he wasn't performing pratfalls as his clumsy character (aptly named Jack Tripper), John Ritter's boy-next-door looks made us wish we could meet him for a date at the Regal Beagle.
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28. Richard Dean Anderson, MacGyver (1985-1992)
There's just something so attractive about a man who can figure out a way to get you out of any tricky situation, which Richard Dean Anderson did every week as MacGyver.
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27. Terry Crews, Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-current)
We're so glad NBC picked up this series after Fox cancelled it in 2018 so we can see more of Terry Crews' chiseled physique as Lieutenant Terry Jeffords — and laugh at all the great jokes too, of course.
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26. Erik Estrada, CHiPs (1977-1983)
Whether he was in character as Ponch — and more importantly, in uniform — or cruising around off-camera, Erik Estrada did it all with flair.
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25. John Travolta, Welcome Back Kotter (1975-1979)
As Vinnie Barbarino, John Travolta's feathered hairstyle, '70s fashion, and those chiseled features, helped inspire fans to tune into this comedy week after week.
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24. Tony Danza, Taxi (1978-1983)
Before his days on Who's the Boss, Tony Danza already made hearts flutter as an amateur boxer (also named Tony) on this classic series.
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23. Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Saved by the Bell (1989-1993)
You really couldn't help but root for Mark-Paul Gosselaar as adorable rascal Zack Morris and all his hijinks on the teen series.
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22. Joey Lawrence, Blossom (1990-1995)
Joey Lawrence wasn't the only one saying "whoa!" every time his character, Blossom's older brother also named Joey, came on screen while co-starring on this beloved sitcom.
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21. Jensen Ackles, Supernatural (2005-2020)
Fans will need to soak up as much of Jensen Ackles' rugged-yet-sweet face as Dean Winchester (and his equally handsome cast mates, Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins) before the show comes to an end next year.
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20. Davy Jones, The Monkees (1966-1968)
His bandmates were super cute too, but it was Davy Jones who we saw featured in the most on teen mags in their chart-topping heyday.
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19. Will Smith, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (1990-1996)
Will Smith proved early on that he's more than just a one trick pony with his talent (and cute face) shining throughout this unforgettable series.
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18. James Garner, The Rockford Files (1974-1980)
James Garner had the same handsome and brooding air of a James Bond actor while his character investigated all those crimes and mysteries.
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17. Charlie Hunnam, Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014)
Fans of this gritty series would have gladly jumped at the chance wrap their arms around Charlie Hunnam while riding on the back of his motorcycle.
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16. Patrick Dempsey, Grey's Anatomy (2005-2018)
As if we could make this list without "McDreamy" himself — Patrick Dempsey really knew how to make those scrubs look good as Dr. Derek Shepherd.
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15. Jimmy Smits, NYPD Blue (1994–2004)
The actor's show titles may have switched coasts after starring in L.A. Law, but his swagger stayed just as striking as ever while spending 10 seasons as Detective Bobby Simone.
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14. Jason Momoa, Game of Thrones (2011-2012)
Jason Momoa, time on the fantasy show was brief, Jason Momoa's near-constant lack of a shirt as Khal Drogo will remain etched in our memories forever.
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13. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, WWF/WWE (1997-2019)
The name of the wrestling programs and events might change — and of Dwayne Johnson himself, who originally went by Rocky Maivia — but fans still buzz any time he shows up to let us know what the Rock has cookin'.
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12. Henry Winkler, Happy Days (1974-1984)
The actor always exuded the coolest of the cool (and cutest of the cute) while playing Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli. Can we get an "ayyyy"-men?
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11. Michael Landon, Bonanza (1959-1973)
Just look at the smolder Micheal Landon exudes in this photo as Little Joe — and this is long before he bulked up to for his Little House on the Prairie days.
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10. David Duchovny, The X-Files (1993-2002)
No matter how creepy or scary things got on the sci-fi show, fans still tuned in to gaze at Fox Mulder as he attempted to chase down aliens and uncover government conspiracies.
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9. John Corbett, Northern Exposure (1990–1995)
Before being the ultimate "one who got away" on Sex and the City, John Corbett gave us goosebumps as an Alaskan radio DJ on this quirky series.
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8. Matt LeBlanc, Friends (1994-2004)
We mean no offense to the other men of this iconic comedy, but there's a reason Matt LeBlanc's character was the one known as a lady's man.
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7. John Krasinski, The Office (2005-2013)
Just like his goofy and lovable character, viewers couldn't help but fall for John Krasinski as Jim Halpert wooedPam Beasly.
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6. Jon Hamm, Mad Men (2007-2015)
Although his character had some pretty bad habits and quite the dark side, John Hamm as Don Draper certainly filled out all of those retro suits impressively well.
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5. Luke Perry, Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000)
Luke Perry brought a James Dean-level of a rough-around-the-edges bad boy that you also still want to take home to mom in his role as Dylan McKay.
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4. Ted Danson, Cheers (1982–1993)
We'd go grab a drink with Ted Danson as Sam Malone at the iconic bar even if nobody else there knew our name.
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3. Tom Selleck, Magnum P.I. (1980–1988)
It's OK to admit if you were powerless against that magical combination of a majestic mustache and loosely buttoned Hawaiian shirts Tom Selleck sported every week as Magnum.
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2. John Stamos, Full House (1987–1995)
Say it with us: "Have mercy!" John Stamos is like a fine wine that's just getting better with age, but we'll always cherish him most as Uncle Jesse.
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1. Idris Elba, Luther (2010-2019)
Idris Elba and the show runners are keeping a tight lip on whether or not there will be more episodes of this drama (or maybe even a movie), but if there are, we'll definitely be tuning in to see this charming Englishman solve cases.