The Older Man
Nov 4th 2009
Madeline HunterMadeline Hunter & When Goddesses Fall To Earth
My very first experience with romance novels was a bust. I did not “get it”, even though I found the historical setting fascinating. I did not find the hero compelling. Frankly, he scared me.
He was an older man to me. I was about twenty and the hero was about thirty-five, and this was old-school historical romance. All that alpha, domineering, overtly sexual stuff alarmed me. He was too much like my last bad date. I was at a real disadvantage with him.
My tastes changed as I got older. A lot. And while I love the young guys in our Sunday FROS posts, I would never want a relationship with one. Nor do I find romance novels where the hero is older than the heroine, even by ten years or so, alarming and unappealing. I don’t have a stake in those dynamics anymore. Actually, I like romances in which the man is an “older man”, whatever that might mean. I like the interplay of the innocent who thinks she is more worldly than she is, and the man who really is more worldly, and is protective as a result.
We have had a lot of pictures of Hugh Jackman on this blog. I must say that when a picture of him when he was young went up, it startled me. Oh, he was gorgeous, but I must admit that I like Hugh the way he is now, a little lined and more mature. I felt that way about Clint Eastwood. He peaked, visually speaking, in his 40s for me. Actors younger than 30 or 35 appear too smooth and untried, too slick, to me now. An older man’s face has character to it.
Do you appreciate the older man? Do you like them in romance novels? Did your taste on this change as you got older, the way mine did?
Any famous older men whom you particularly appreciate? 
78 Comments »
78 Responses to “The Older Man”
LisaK on 04 Nov 2009 at 4:02 am #
I have absolutely no problem with the hero being older than the heroine (although I like it the other way around, too). I like men, you know, not boys – they could look boyish, though, but their minds and behaviour should be mature. Really, nothing worse than childish guys who think they’re oh-so-manly.
What I don’t like, however, is that whole Frustrated-man-in-his-middle-forties-feels-like-he-has-to-prove-his-manliness-in-hooking-up-with-a-twenty-year-old-thing. I absolutely can’t stand that! Makes me want to give those guys a stern talking to!
I think Harrison Ford and Mark Harmon (Gibbs from NCIS) or older men but really, really sexy. My mum always says she’ll never ever again want a man (my parents separated over two years ago) save he looks like Gibbs. No one else will do.
Unfortunately, there aren’t that many Gibbses around… 
Kim on 04 Nov 2009 at 4:07 am #
Actually, I have a problem with the stereotypical older man with the much-younger, perky woman. My dad’s second wife was 12 or 13 years younger than he and his third wife is 16 years younger, a mere 9 years older than me. That’s partly from where my aversion comes. Also, my mother’s second husband is ten years older than she and there is quite a difference in mind set, in health issues, etc. Being with an older man has aged her greatly. Of course, it depends on the individuals involved.
That age difference doesn’t matter as much when you are young, I suppose, but if the woman is 40 and hitting her stride career-wise, for instance (as with my dad’s second wife) and her husband is about to retire, there is a disconnect in life focus. And that can cause a lot of problems — again, depending upon the individuals. It’s another matter entirely if the woman doesn’t have to or chooses not to work outside the home, but that’s not reality for most.
From the point of view of eye candy, however, I do find that an older face — late 30s, into the 40s — is particularly attractive. Probably because I’m in my mid-40s now!
Kim on 04 Nov 2009 at 4:09 am #
What LisaK wrote! Ditto! And the “childish guys who think they’re oh-so-manly” perfectly described my ex-husband. ROTFL!
Bronte on 04 Nov 2009 at 4:52 am #
In my group of friends we have discussed what our “floor” and what our “ceiling” is with guys we’ll date. Its really interesting to hear the differing opinions between us all. I’m 28, and my age range is 25-38, but I’d make an exception for Clive Owen…
Lisa H on 04 Nov 2009 at 7:06 am #
Madeline, I guess for me it just depends on the man…I am attracted more to their qualities than their looks…Right now Rob Pattinson totally does it for me…he is 22 and I am, ahem, 43 old enough to be his mother. On the other hand, Johnny Depp, age 45 has been doing it for me for a very long time. I do get what you are saying about the older man, but for me its more about who they are.
Pesky on 04 Nov 2009 at 7:23 am #
In real life I distinctly remember thinking as a teen, 34! Wow that’s old. And now, I won’t consider under 34 in RL. Prior to that they’re not even housebroken. I love the guys, but furniture has a completely different concept to them prior to their 30’s.
kay on 04 Nov 2009 at 7:46 am #
I have a problem with age difference between a romance hero and a much younger heroine, especially if she’s “just out of the schoolroom”, translates in my 21st century brain as a teenager. So, if the hero is 35 and the heroine is 17/18/19 my ick factor moves in.
Claudia Dain on 04 Nov 2009 at 7:51 am #
Madeline, I agree. I prefer a man who looks like a man, and who looks like he’s been around the block a few times. I KNOW my tastes have changed, yet at the same time, they haven’t. I’ve never been attracted to men who are either too young or too old for me. The only men I find truly good-looking are somewhere in my age range, 5-10 years on either side.
nancyg on 04 Nov 2009 at 8:00 am #
Mr. G is 6 years older than me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think he’s sexier now in his mid-40’s than he was at 29 when we got married….
I don’t have a problem with the older man/younger woman dynamic. In fact, my fave historical of all time is Whitney, My Love, and the hero is significantly older (but oh, so yummy!). I still think of Southeast Asia and the Middle East where arranged marriages are the norm, so it’s not out of the realm of imagination for me.
It’s not MY cup of tea, but, I do quibble when “cougar” relationships are dismissed or even parodied by the media, etc. Turnabout is fair play – go Demi Moore!!
I think it’s hard enough “raising” a spouse and breaking them of their bachelor habits when they’re older – but in their 20’s? As Tony Soprano would say, “forgeddaboutit”! Too close in age to oldest daughter anyway.
My “dream team” top 5 hunks are all in their early-mid 40’s – their faces have “character”. I need to be with a person who looks like they’ve actually lived…I think 50 would be my ceiling.
However, Sean Connery is always on the table!!
LoriHandeland on 04 Nov 2009 at 8:01 am #
I definitely appreciate the older man, in life and in romance. I much prefer a man’s face to have a lived in look. Perhaps broken in is a better word. (I agree with Pesky on the not housebroken under 30 rule.)
Clint has always done it for me. Something about that voice, that grin, those eyes.
Of course I also have that Rob Pattinson crush, which is kind of freaking me out.
Pesky on 04 Nov 2009 at 8:36 am #
I’m a long Peter O’Toole fan. He’s got charisma.
JudyPatooty on 04 Nov 2009 at 8:40 am #
Oh yes! The older man … SO much more sexy than those young “pretty” boys. There’s something about the little crinkly crows feet that show up when they smile and the life experience that shines from their eyes.
Clive Owen, Gerard Butler, Rufus Sewell — all are my idea of a really sexy 40+ guy!
That said, I find myself drooling over Henry Cavill, who is only in his 20s!
In romance novels I like it when the hero and heroine are close in age, rather than the hero being a lot older than his love interest. It’s also interesting when the woman in older than the man! I just don’t like it when the man is SO much older that he starts to seem a bit like a skeevy, creepy old lecher.
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 9:01 am #
LisaK and Kim— In writing romance novels, there is always the chance that the scenario will push a reader’s life buttons. That the set up will be too close to home for some readers. We do hear from them! I am thinking that the older man/younger woman has more potential there than some others.
I am trying to figure out what the max age spread can be without the ick factor. I think in my books I may have maxed at ten years difference, but I know that took some doing in a couple of cases, due to the histories of the two characters. I had to do a little fudging to get the heroine old enough to pass muster. Historicals can be problematic that way. I mean, ALL the heroines can’t be on the shelf or out of the box business women. . . .
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 9:03 am #
I have to google a few of these younger guys being mentioned
So, am I the only one who just didn’t get the arrogant, older alpha when she first read romances? I so did not relate in good ways to that when I was young.
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 9:05 am #
I had some trouble putting up the pics when I did this post last night. I am going to see if I can get more up as the day goes on.
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 9:14 am #
JudyP—I’m with you on the crinkly crow’s feet. And the smile lines.
Claudia Dain on 04 Nov 2009 at 9:18 am #
Rob Pattinson doesn’t do it for me at all. He always looks like he’s about to bust out sobbing, his pouty lower lip trembling.
Madeline, I think the first romance books I read had the hero and heroine close to the same age. When the guy was over-bearing, the heroine was so in his face that I thought she matched him order for order so it didn’t bother me. It’s when I get the sense that the heroine is in over her head with the guy, that he can push her around at will, that I get the creeps. I still don’t enjoy that dynamic in a novel though others do. It’s great there is such a wide range of choice!
TrishD on 04 Nov 2009 at 9:37 am #
I’ve always had a thing for older men. I can’t even look at men in their 20’s and be attracted to them. I can appreciate their looks but the problem is that in their 20’s they still look like kids to me.
In romance novels I love older men, they are more complex. I also like older heroines but that could be because I’m getting older myself. I can’t remember if I was ever put off by the older alpha males when I first started reading romance. I think I’ve always enjoyed the older alpha men with younger women story lines and loved what brought and eventually kept them together.
My list of older men that I appreciate:
George Clooney – Always has been tops on the list, always will be.
Mark Harmon
Johnny Depp – Even though he’s not too much older than me technically he is older so he’s on the list.
Gabriel Byrne
Michael Douglas
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 9:48 am #
I had to add a few pics.
It freaks me out that Depp is an older man. I never thought of him that way, and had no idea he qualified. I went looking for a pic that shows him looking over 40 and can’t find one. He is ageless. Good bone structure and all that, I suppose.
George Clooney, on the other hand, had a “older man” look even when he wasn’t one. By that I mean that there is something mature about his face. He never looked like a soft pretty boy.
Trish D, I had to add Byrne to the gallery. There is a lot of character in that face.
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 10:07 am #
Bronte, the floor and ceiling thing is interesting. Mostly because there is reality (how old I really am) and the peculiar way in which I don’t see myself as that age at all. I suspect that my floor would be pretty low and my ceiling at about my actual age (and even then I might believe those guys are too old for me!)
Kathleen on 04 Nov 2009 at 10:07 am #
I always had a thing for older men. Even from my teen years. My first real crush was a man 15 yrs my senior. I mean when you went to the movies and the hero’s were John Wayne, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Steve McQueen and Robert Wagner.. what was a young impressonable girl supposed to do.. Of course they were those teen heart throbs, Troy Donahue, Fabian, Frankie Avalon and of course Elivis.. But it was those older guys that floated my boats… Of course then along comes George Clooney as Madeline remineded us who has that “older man” hunky quality. She has some of my favs mentioned, Peter, Gabriel and oh GOD Mark Harmon..
But I would have to say my top “older man” romantic guy has to be Cary Grant.. I mean who would not want to be romanced by this debonair, smooth, good looking handsome leading man… George Clooney has some of the same qualities as he does too..
TrishD on 04 Nov 2009 at 10:24 am #
Madeline, thanks for the picture of Gabriel. I could stare at your gallery all day but I’ll just settle for my desktop… which is multiple pictures of Mr. Clooney on one computer and Mark Harmon on the other.
Maureen McGowan on 04 Nov 2009 at 10:33 am #
Now Peter Coyote… I’ve had a crush on him for decades. Thanks for including his photo in your older men montage.
Alicia on 04 Nov 2009 at 10:45 am #
I find this article so funny because my friend and I were just talking about this subject the other day. We weren’t really referring to romance novels though. She and I are 28 years old and recently had our high school reunion. We began talking about some of our old HS crushes and how much they’ve changed. Then we discussed that now when we see a teenage boy bagging groceries at the grocery store, he doesn’t really register on our cute/hot meters like he would have in high school (which is all WELL AND GOOD because he isn’t supposed to) and now we much prefer the older man. I like a man to look like he has been somewhere and KNOWS SOME THINGS!!
Like in Hollywood, Zach Efron is cute and whatever, but someone like Clive Owen just takes the cake! Although I have to say, I have stuck with one crush ever since I was in High School. I think I will forever find him a hottie and that is Keanu Reeves. *sigh*
As for romance novels, the age difference doesn’t bother me all that much because I know it was just that way in that time period.
Marcia on 04 Nov 2009 at 10:45 am #
One “older” man that hasn’t been mentioned yet is Mel Gibson. He’s floated my boat since the Mad Max movies. Interestingly, he’s a little younger than me and has historically played characters several years if not decades older than his real age. Another not mentioned, who we recently lost…. Patrick Swayze.
I think the “ick” factor wouldn’t bother me with a 10 year spread either older or younger. Any more than that and you start risking the father/son (or mother/daughter) connotation. Although, I never really had a problem with much older never-married or tragically-married heroes. However, I started my reading with Georgette Heyer and Barbara Cartland and while Georgette had many heroines who were also considered “on the shelf”, Barbara was notorious at aging her heroines between 16 and 19 and having the heroes inevitably in their 30’s, often very very late thirties!
Madeline, as with you, I have no clue who some of these younger guys that have been mentioned are, but I’m certainly going to google them!
TrishD on 04 Nov 2009 at 11:11 am #
I’m adding to my list….
Pierce Brosnan
Kurt Russell
Joe Mantegna
Lou Diamond Phillips
Leslie on 04 Nov 2009 at 11:20 am #
Having come from a family where the father was not strong I LOVED the Alpha Male in the romance novels. Also my parents are 18 years apart so to me that was the norm. I have never dated someone younger and the closest to my age was 5 years older. My husband is 17 years my senior and I love his lines. The immaturity of the younger generation turns me off. Now if you put Taylor Lautner on a pedestal I wouldn’t stop looking at him but he is not the type I take home.
I agree with Kathleen when you grow up watching all these great actors (add Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Rock Hudson, Andy Griffith) it is not hard to fall for the older gent.
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 11:57 am #
Marcia, I confess that I never read BC (!). But I think that if a story is written well, and the age difference is not the be all and end all of the dynamic, then the ages can become non-issues. Although I doubt a writer could get a pre-18 year old heroine published today. At least not in the U.S. Even 18 is pushing it, and historical accuracy won’t matter. I think my youngest heroine was 18, in my first book, a medieval, and I had to fudge it to get her that old.
Trish D—I like your expaning list!
Leslie, you have given me another name to Google. I feel so out of it sometimes. . .
Marcia on 04 Nov 2009 at 12:00 pm #
Oh! Don’t forget Sean Connery!!!!! Talk about sexy. Still has a great chest and you gotta love the accent! I also have to include Richard Dean Anderson. Loved him as McGuyver and Totally ecstatic about him as Jack O’neil.
Angela on 04 Nov 2009 at 12:20 pm #
I agree with the list. Older men have character and are sexy!
Since I am approaching the big 5-0 I find anyone under 30 as too young for me.
Don’t like perky young heroines.
Love the blogs and the books by the goddesses.
Oh the joy of seeing all those gorgeous men!
Suzanne Enoch on 04 Nov 2009 at 12:45 pm #
I totally agree, Madeline. This discussion reminds me of the line from “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, where Marian’s discussing how beat up Indy looks. He says “It’s not the years; it’s the mileage.” And the mileage does make a big difference in how attractive I find a man.
Oh, and one man not yet mentioned – Sam Elliot. I LOVE that man and his voice. He’s got a lot of mileage on him. *g*
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 1:03 pm #
OMG, suzanne, how could I forget Sam Elliot!!!!! I will stop dinner to watch him in a scene. I have my dh on Sam Elliot alert, to let me know if he shows up in something he is watching.
Madeline, off to find a terrific SE pic to add. I am mortified that I forgot him.
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 1:13 pm #
error corrected. Sam Elliott is now up in the gallery. Talk about a man who is aging very well.
Alicia on 04 Nov 2009 at 1:14 pm #
Ooooh! I could listen to Sam Elliot all day!!!
Marcia on 04 Nov 2009 at 1:22 pm #
Well, if you’re going to include Sam Elliott, you have to add Tom Selleck! Love the shaggy hair!
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 1:31 pm #
Marcia, did you ever see Tom Selleck’s break out role? He was on the old Rockford Files (being rerun now in my area) and had a recurrent role of Lance White, a p.i. who was just toooooooo perfect. Handsome, noble, chivalrous, fair play, handsome, rich, everything always falls into place perfectly perfect. It was a riot, the way the writers played him off against James Garner. (who, I might add, was not a bad older man himself).
Alicia and Suzanne, Sam’s voice is like warm water. It just slows you down.
kay on 04 Nov 2009 at 1:38 pm #
I could watch that scene in Tombstone forever with Sam Elliott walking down the street in those black clothes. You know depending on your own age, he may not be that much older. Born in 1944.
ev on 04 Nov 2009 at 1:45 pm #
The ick factor only creeps in for me when the girl is very young and the man much, much older (think trophy wife here). Then it becomes more of a man who refuses to accept that fact that he is getting older and just grow up. That’s when age matters mentally, not chronologically. My hubby of 12 years is 26 years older than I am. We married 2 years after his wife of almost 40 years died suddenly. He has 4 grown kids and now mine is grown and away from home. His oldest daughter is a year older than me and we get along great as do his youngest son and I. The middle two still have problems but try- and hey- it’s not their marriage, it’s ours.
Yup we have dealt with health issues- for both of us. I honestly think if we hadn’t been married when he had his heart attack 5 years ago he wouldn’t have survived it. And I keep on him about his health and other issues. The age difference has allowed me to stay home while my daughter was in high school because financially we were ok. I doubt that would have happened if he were closer to my age. Now we are set to do what we want, when we want within reason, if I could get him to retire from his second career.
Laurie on 04 Nov 2009 at 1:48 pm #
A large group of adolescent girls find the tall, dark, handsome man more threatening than the babyish kind of men, which is why so many teen idols were more boyish than manly. I’ve never been attracted to the boyish man. At the time Orlando Bloom was hot to the teens, but I thought Colin Farrell was so much more appealing. The same applies, I think, to the older man. Give me a manly man, even if he’s a little bit older – my husband is six years older than I am – over a boyish man. I think that’s why I prefer dark hair to blond hair, and find that Brad Pitt is far more handsome now that he’s got some age on him.
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 1:51 pm #
ev, my aunt married a man about 25 years her senior. They had a wonderful life together. There was nothing trophy wife about it at all. When it is real, the ages don’t matter.
kay, I have many fond Sam Elliott memories. There are whole sections of movies I only watch while he is on screen.
I have been adding to the gallery, for future reference
B on 04 Nov 2009 at 2:01 pm #
I’m 21, so, anything older than 28 is “the older man” for me. Personally, I don’t like them much. My dad’s 18 years older than his wife, and they started dating when she was 17 and he was 35. I find that so gross. I like partners, in novels, who have similar age or something.
Like, Booth in Bones, or Castle in Castle 
Though… umm.. there are certain older man who are DILFs. But, then, they’re ‘older men’ for me, not for you.
B on 04 Nov 2009 at 2:02 pm #
I’m 21, so, anything older than 28 is “the older man” for me. Personally, I don’t like them much. My dad’s 18 years older than his wife, and they started dating when she was 17 and he was 35. I find that so gross. I like partners, in novels, who have similar age or something.
Though… umm.. there are certain older man who are DILFs. But, then, they’re ‘older men’ for me, not for you. Like, Booth in Bones, or Castle in Castle
Lisa H on 04 Nov 2009 at 2:15 pm #
Thank you for posting a photo of Tom Selleck. I loved him in Friends as Monica’s love interest. Another very hot older man, Richard Gere, oh ya!
Lisa G on 04 Nov 2009 at 2:53 pm #
I defintely think our opinion changes the older we get. When we are younger we don’t appreciate things like fine wine and older men. It requires a little time and wisdom to acheive those things. Mark Harmon, Harrison Ford and Kevin Costner are hot. But I agree with LisaK, when they have to chase after 18-30 year olds to prove their man-hood, it totally turns me off. I don’t know what it is with men’s midlife crisis. I don’t like to see it in real life or in a book!
Cail on 04 Nov 2009 at 3:06 pm #
you know, i was thinking about this today in elementary school. i was in a 5th grade classroom and was watching the interactions between one of the girls and a ‘cute’ boy. it took me back to my childhood and i remembered my fifth grade crushes. those boys did NOT turn out to be the hotties in HS! I’m lucky in that I’ve always thought my DH was handsome. When we met in 97 we were still barely teenagers and i thought he was the hottest thing alive. now, 12 yrs later he’s matured and is still extremely hot IMHO. I’m pretty sure he’ll keep aging well.
i’m a fan of the older guys in movies and books. i get a bit creeped out when a really old guy ends up with a teenager in RNs, but one of my dearest friends is 20 yrs younger than her DH and they’re extremely happy (and it started when she was, well, a teenager) So i’m divided. i probably wouldn’t date an older man myself. or a younger. i like them at the same emotional age as me.
evlqn on 04 Nov 2009 at 3:15 pm #
I love a guy with a lived in face and a deep voice. Sam Elliot is a prime example, Sean Connery is one of my very favorite people. I used to love Mel Gibson before he lost his natural mind, ruined a great crush that had been going on for years. Denzel,yes, Danny Glover is another beautiful man. Johnny Depp is just plain adorable. I loved Swayze and Jerry Orbach so I really liked Dirty Dancing I got them both.
I don’t mind an age difference as along as it isn’t too wide, and I don’t care which side of the gap the guy is one; as long as he has more than two braincells to rub together.
ev on 04 Nov 2009 at 3:23 pm #
“Like, Booth in Bones, or Castle in Castle” Just the visuals this brings makes me snicker. LOL
Sam Elliot…. heck, I listen to the Beef Commercials just to hear his voice! And will buy any dvd with him in it!
FYI, I have no problem with older women and younger men, but I hate the term cougar, just like I don’t want anyone to call my hubby a dirty old man!
ev on 04 Nov 2009 at 3:33 pm #
Even if he is (soemtimes)!!
Suzanne Enoch on 04 Nov 2009 at 3:35 pm #
Madeline, I have to say, I just love all the pics on the blog — you, and all those men. *g*
LauraR on 04 Nov 2009 at 3:43 pm #
oooooo another deep voiced hot older man was Robert Mitchum. Very virile guy.
Alicia on 04 Nov 2009 at 3:56 pm #
Ok so there is a guy that is the same age (28 years old) as me (aside from my husband) that I find TOTALLY hot!!! CHRIS EVANS from ‘Push’.
I’m still a Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze girl though. ‘Point Break’ would have to be the best movie of all time for me!!
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 4:02 pm #
Alicia, if keanu Reeves has moved into older man status, I may cry. I guess maybe he has by now, huh? I see him like Johnny Depp—-forever 28 years old.
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 4:07 pm #
Ok, I checked. Keanu is 45 (!!). But as with Johnny, I could not find a picture where he had aged much at all. I even found one that had two pics side by side, from 15 years ago and now, to show how he just is not aging. At all.
Alicia on 04 Nov 2009 at 4:14 pm #
I know it’s strange! I looked some pics up myself and couldn’t see where he looked any different. That is QUITE alright with me though! He is FINE AS WINE to me!!!
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 4:19 pm #
Alicia, do you think he is still just as cool? Keanu always had a very high cool quotient. I think he still does.
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 4:22 pm #
Laurie, you observation about the more babyish looking guys being less threatening to young girls is dead on, I think. I probably fell in that category. I needed very “nice” and safe heroes in my novels until I had grown up a bit, I think.
Alicia on 04 Nov 2009 at 4:48 pm #
Oh yes, Madeline! He definitely still has that ‘cool factor’! I can’t even begin to tell you how cool I thought he was/is!! I had pictures of him all over my walls as a teenager. I love him just as much now, I just don’t hang up the pictures. My hubby might develope a complex! LOL!!! OH, and Johnny Depp too!! They are both the too-cool-for-you guys! That is what makes them sooooo appealing I think!
Trini on 04 Nov 2009 at 4:52 pm #
I have no problem with the age of the heroes and heroines if the story and the characters are well writer and described. On the other hand, for me the appearance is more important than the age. For example, when Paul Newman was young there’s nobody more handsome than him, he was really amazing… but I think he didn’t old age well. But Sean Connery is amazing in any age…
I always prefer a man who looks like a man…. My favourites?: Cary Grant and Gary Cooper (always), Hugh Jackman (of course), Keanu Reeves (young, old, anyway, anywhere…).
But now I’m going to make publicity of the spanish men… my wonderful ANTONIO BANDERAS, he is a real man… and ANDRES VELENCOSO, he is no real, in my opinion he is a god (he is a young model and the boyfriend of Kyle Minogue. Please look for him… and then tell me if you can close your mouth and if you can’t stop dribbling). Maybe he could be FROS….. (it’s only an idea…)
ev on 04 Nov 2009 at 5:31 pm #
Cary Grant….mmmmmmmhhhhhhhmmmmmmm
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 5:37 pm #
Omg, I can’t believe I forgot Antonio. What is wrong with me. He will be up in the gallery forthwith.
Trini, I think Mr. Velencoso would make a fine Fros. I see he is Spanish. Spanish men are so very special, IMO.
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 5:42 pm #
Antonio, it turns out, is 49. Man, he looks good. Still. Always. One of my all time heart throbs.
Trini on 04 Nov 2009 at 6:08 pm #
Antonio is not only a very good looking man, he is charming too and although he doesn’t lives in Spain he never forget us. We are very proud of him.
And Madeline, I agree, Andres Velencoso would make a great Fros… mmmmmhhhhhhhmmmmmm (I have to stop now, my keyboard is full of dribbles)
Trini on 04 Nov 2009 at 6:19 pm #
By the way Madeline, thank you very much for the pic of Antonio…
B on 04 Nov 2009 at 6:24 pm #
Have you guys ever noticed that when the blog’s about hot men the number of comments go way up??? :p
Ohh, Mark Harmon is HOT.
Julia on 04 Nov 2009 at 6:34 pm #
I remember reading my first romance when I was nineteen and being shocked that the hero was thirty and the heroine eighteen…but I soon became used to the older man/younger woman theme so common in historical romances. Now that I’m a *ahem* middle-aged woman, I’ve found that my tastes are changing. Thirty year-old men are babies. Guys my age (Brad Pitt & Tom Cruise) are sexy and appealing, but Sam Elliott has always done it for me. I think he’ll always be my favorite older man.
Carolyn on 04 Nov 2009 at 7:00 pm #
I agree with you about men under 30 looking “untried.” Take a look at Simon Baker (The Mentalist) when he appeared in “L.A. Confidential” (1997). Twelve years ago, he was too perfect. Now–wow!
evlqn on 04 Nov 2009 at 7:35 pm #
Thank you Madeline, what wonderful way to wake up from a nap! I caught a cold at the hospital yesterday and am trying to sleep it off. I’ll go lay down again if I can wake up to more FROS worthy men.
Patricia Barraclough on 04 Nov 2009 at 10:45 pm #
Never did like the boy toy or too cute look. Rugged and experiences was much more interesting. I remember when Dr. Kildare with Richard Chamberlain and Dr. Ben Casey were on TV. They were both handsome, but the more rugged, older Ben Casey appealed more. Your Rogues Gallery above is a good example of what a few years does for a good looking man. Experience shows in the eyes and the face, and on some that is a very good look. Why would I be interested in someone who looks like he could be my son? No thanks.
Gwynlyn MacKenzie on 04 Nov 2009 at 11:38 pm #
Men that look like men. I just can’t find men my son’s age appealing without feeling like a perv. Pierce Brosnan, Sam Elliot, Mr. Connery, Clive Owen—a little more “Come my darling. I can take you where you want to go” as opposed to “Can I? Can I please? Come on. You know you wanna. Pleeeese.”
Tina on 04 Nov 2009 at 11:44 pm #
I prefer the age gap to be no more than 15 years, but am willing to accept up to 20.
I’m drawing a blank on who the 3 gentlemen are after Patrick Stewart.
Everyone that I recognize, I appreciate their work.
Madeline Hunter on 04 Nov 2009 at 11:59 pm #
Tina, right after PS it is Antonio Banderas (Mask of Zorro, among other films), Gabriel Byrne (la Femme Nakita, I believe, among other films) and Clive Owen
Sabrina Jeffries on 05 Nov 2009 at 1:45 pm #
I somehow missed the blog yesterday, but let me just say that I have ALWAYS liked older men. Even when I was young. It’s very jarring for me when younger people tell me how grossed out they are by an older man/younger woman combo. Because I dated a 19 year old when I was 14, a 23 year old when I was 15, and a 30 year old when I was 19. I never thought twice about it.
Tina on 05 Nov 2009 at 10:09 pm #
Oh, I didn’t recognize Antonio with his face in shadow.
Sarah on 05 Nov 2009 at 10:50 pm #
I didn’t see this yesterday either. I have always had a thing for older guys. DH is the youngest guy I ever dated at 2 years older. The second youngest was 7 years older than I… the others were all 10 years or so. I am totally not grossed out by it unless we are talking about a 70 year old with a barely legal teen. But hey, as long as their legal who am I to judge… whatever floats your boat.
Sarah on 05 Nov 2009 at 11:03 pm #
P.S. It’s hard for me to think of “Booth” as an older man. David Boreanez was my first big celebrity crush when he played Angel on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Well, I guess that playing a 250 year old vamp dating an 18 yr old slayer would make him “the older guy”… but you get the point.
Rob Pattison looks too young and pouty to my taste despite the fact that he is only a year and a half younger than I. Ditto on Orlando Bloom. Give me Eric Bana or Coling Ferrell any day… or Pierce Brosnan (as James Bond especially) any day
Lyvvie on 06 Nov 2009 at 1:03 am #
My answer to this is that I absolutely appreciate the older man! This week I saw the Robert Pattison Panties (via HuffPo) that have his vampire mouth in the gusset and thought – Nononono!! He’s too young for me to even think about his mouth being there! Can’t we get George Clooney gusset knickers instead??
Tracy Pohl on 07 Nov 2009 at 8:55 am #
I have always liked older men but not that much older. I’m talking maybe a few yrs but no more than 6 yrs. I do have to say that I have always liked Sean Connery since I was a little girl, he is the only man that much older than me that I thought was attractive. But since I gotten older older men have a certain appeal. I think with older men they can teach you things that a younger man may not be able to.
I’m in my late 20’s and the actors that have been holding an appeal for me have been in their 40’s maybe even in their 50’s, which sometimes scares me! 
Jackie on 17 Nov 2009 at 10:58 am #
Let us add:
Sam Waterston and Chris Noth