The 10 Weirdest Leading Men

Despite less-than-conventional looks, these actors thrive
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 27, 2011 11:31 AM CDT
The 10 Weirdest Leading Men
Adam Sandler reacts before the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on May 4, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.   (Getty Images)

Not all leading men look like Tom Cruise, as evidenced by these 10 unconventional guys rounded up by Time:

  • Adam Sandler: It’s one thing to headline a comedy like Happy Gilmore, but Sandler has taken his career one step further, proving he can also handle romantic comedies like 50 First Dates and more dramatic movies like Punch-Drunk Love.
  • Steve Buscemi: Even with his bug eyes and crooked teeth, Buscemi made the jump from sidekick to lead actor in Boardwalk Empire with flair.

  • Michael Cera: The dorky actor proved himself in Arrested Development, Superbad, and Juno, but he was always surrounded by other strong leads. In Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, however, he carried the movie on his shoulders.
  • Ron Perlman: In Hellboy, he finally made the jump from Neanderthal/hunchback/Minotaur to leading man—albeit a leading man who wore lots of prosthetics and makeup. He continued to prove he can lead a cast on TV’s Sons of Anarchy.
  • Paul Giamatti: He’s found success by playing “the schlubby, balding, nervous-looking, middle-aged” everyman. Though he started with supporting roles, Sideways proved he can handle the top position.
Click for the full list, which includes a "lovable loser." (More leading men stories.)

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