As various male stars approach AARP age (or in some cases, go way beyond it), they tend to become even more alluring, full of worldly wisdom and survivor's appeal. Here are my picks for the hottest stars over 50 -- though I've left off 53-year-old George Clooney, only because he's so obvious.
(Photo by Jimi Celeste/Bruce's weatherbeaten features and working stiff demeanor (along with his untold millions) make the Boss a true macho icon to me, one who reeks of sex appeal and sweaty, burly charisma. If "This Gun's For Hire," then I know a lot of people who'd like to sit on the trigger.
(Photo by Owen Hoffmann/The "Footloose" rocker was always so wiry and cute, with those precious features and wavy locks of two-toned hair. Well, he still looks sort of like Kenny Loggins, and that's good enough for me. Woof. Please, Louise, pull me off of my knees.
(Photo by Adriel Reboh/Stanley's talent, his handsomeness, and his shiny head make him an irresistible hunk of Italian bread that I'd be anxious to bite into. Lord knows Edie Falco liked it for a while, and if it's good enough for Edie, it's good enough for me.
Denzel Washington, 59
(Photo by Jimi Celeste/I've not only seen Denzel live in various plays -- always searing dramas, where he works up a sweat -- but I also met him up close once and shook his hand and I haven't washed since. Denzel is one hunk and a half of a man, and -- as witnessed by his convincing performance in A Raisin in the Sun last year as a person many years his junior -- he still radiates an age-defying glow and a true-blue hotness. "Denzel Musto" has a really nice ring to it.
(Photo by Harel Rintzler/Alex Trebek, 74
Should I phrase this in the form of a question? OK, "Who is Alex Trebek?" Of course that comes in answer to the clue: "A Canadian-born talk show host who's a silver fox, a sly puss, and a really hot daddy type." I realize I'm almost getting into gerontophile territory now, even for me, but sorry, these men are on fire -- especially Alex, who doesn't look like someone who's been hosting, or even watching, Jeopardy! for literally 30 years.
(Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/Sir Ian McKellen, 75
Remember when Sir Ian had that striking, young boyfriend that he paraded around on the 2002 Oscars telecast? I didn't think there was much disparity between them at all, looks-wise, because Sir Ian happens to be extremely attractive, in an erudite, lived-in, and quite sophisticated way. I could easily find myself singing "To Sir With Love" as he regaled me with tales of being in two or more film franchises, while I peeled him grapes and massaged his toes. Of course I'd have to get his permission first.
(Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick Stewart, 74
As with Stanley Tucci, the shiny head thing totally works for me. In Stewart's case, his old Star Trek outfit would also be a plus. And I am extra titillated by someone who veers between classics and sci-fi, who has a gay best friend (Sir Ian McKellen, above), and who also has a bit of an attitude. Are you sickos picturing a threeway like I am, between Sir Ian, Patrick, and...someone else? Well, dream on.
(Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Sting, 63
Just like Kenny Loggins still looks like himself, so does Sting look like Sting -- a lean, appealingly featured cutie with wisps of hair and twinkly eyes. Lucky Trudie gets to revel in his adorableness, while the rest of us deal with his seriousness and charitableness. But there's an upside to Sting's voluminous causes: just nuzzling with him would surely help the rain forest. All right, I'll do it -- for the good of our planet.
Antonio Banderas, 54
(Photo by Andreas Branch/His tousled hair might be a tiny bit thinner than before, but would anyone seriously consider this an impediment to the Spanish actor's smoldering sex appeal? The Almodovar actor turned Hollywood blockbuster star is so sizzling, I got aroused just hearing his voice in Puss in Boots. And when he lights up the screen in person -- even in sequels and schlock -- all the better. Now that he's finally split from Melanie, Antonio's a free man again, able to sow his Spanish oats wherever he pleases. Ay, dios mio!
(Photo by Andreas Branch/Leonard Nimoy, 83
OK, I guess the Star Trek thing really gets to me (though I draw the line at William Shatner). I never even watched the show, but the image of Nimoy as Dr. Spock has a distinctly hormonal glow to it, partly thanks to the clinging costumes and the weird earnestness. And the Ukrainian-American Nimoy always had wonderfully expressive, exotic features, and they've aged better than fine wines. At 83, he's my oldest hottie on the list, but watch out, Professor Irwin Corey (the 100-year-old comic) -- you could be next!