Through the Opera Glasses - 12 - Actors' Sexualization Versus Talent

When I work on my manuscripts, I often search out photos of actors whom I've 'cast' as my characters. It's quickly apparent that many actresses have highly sexualized photos available, whether or not their professional personas tend more toward intelligent film roles.

The same is not true for actors.

In a completely random search of the web, I was easily able to find these sexy shots of actresses whose work I really admire. With the exception of Meryl Streep! I had to really root around for the picture posted here.


Cate Blanchett















Jennifer Connelly















Julianne Moore
















Meryl Streep
















Emma Thompson















Kate Winslet










Actors are open to experience and exploration by nature, and many of these actresses and actors have appeared nude or partly nude for film roles. I wasn't looking for stills of those scenes - I was looking for photo shoots which portrayed actresses and actors as highly-sexualized.

As you can see, actors whom I regard as very talented and on the same level in their craft as the actresses above are not portrayed as sexily as their female counterparts. Here are the sexiest shots I could find for these actors:


Gael Garcia Bernal















Russell Crowe
















Johnny Depp
















Viggo Mortensen
















Clive Owen
















Mark Ruffalo













I've been wondering about this discrepancy for awhile now.

Do actresses still feel the need for validation through their physical appearance, regardless of their degree of talent?

Or do talented actresses have to be merely cerebral, or can't they be sexy, too?

Are incredibly attractive actors trying to downplay their sexuality? Do they equate sexiness with a perception that they won't be taken seriously?

What do you think?

Travis says that's a great word...sexualization.

Kelly theorizes that most women like the smoldering sexuality that is often found in the expression more than the amount of clothing found on (or off) men's bodies.

Anne warns that for actors being too good looking seems to limit their careers - they end up on soap operas.

Mike figures that actors and actresses define who they are by what they do. When they don't do it anymore, what are they?

Leanna reflects that, as an actress, the phenomenon of the dominant male gaze perpetuates a continually cyclical model and I am stuck in the midst of it.