Simon Baker leads our list of the sexiest Aussies in Hollywood.
By nicole — Written on May 20, 2009
Americans seem to have a soft-spot for sheilas and blokes from the land down under. Sure, Nicole Kidman's Australia flopped at the box office, but that hasn't stopped a wave of talented actors and actresses from popping up on our favorite TV shows and in blockbuster movies. Maybe it's the accents, or the fun-loving attitude that draws us in, but we think it might be the ridiculous hotness of these actors that keeps us coming back for more. So without further ado, here's YourTango's take on the sexiest Aussie actors and actresses working in Hollywood today.
1.) Simon Baker
Why You Know Him: Baker cracks cases as the charming Patrick Jane on CBS's hit drama The Mentalist.
What Makes Him So Sexy: It's no surprise that The Mentalist was 2008's biggest new TV series. Anyone who saw Baker seduce Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada knows that the 39-year-old actor is a good-looking charmer. Add a head of blonde curls, a mischievous smile, and soulful eyes and you'll see how easy it is to spend hours daydreaming about him.
LoveStage: Married to Australian actress Rebecca Rigg. They have 3 children: Stella Breeze, Claude Blue, and Harry Friday.
2.) Yvonne Strahovski
Why You Know Her: She stars opposite Zachary Levi as Agent Sarah Walker on NBC's beloved (but low-rated) spy comedy, Chuck.
What Makes Her So Sexy: There's nothing sexier than a woman who can kick some serious ass. Agent Walker has saved Chuck's neck more times than we can count, but it's the chemistry between Strahovski and her co-star that really lets this star shine. Oh, and she's one of Maxim's 100 Hottest Women of 2009. If that's not enough for you, then we don't know what is.
LoveStage: Single.
3.) Alex O'Loughlin
Why You Know Him: He starred as a vampire/private investigator Mick St. John on the dearly departed Moonlight.
What Makes Him So Sexy: We're a sucker for actors who play vampires, and Alex is no exception. That he's filled with smoldering desires he couldn't bring himself to fulfill made us only want his Moonlight character more. We can't help feel like some of that danger spills into real life, where Alex sports six tattoos including a tramp stamp across his lower back. Off-screen, Alex is an absolute gentleman who doesn't comment on past loves or the status of his relationships. Dangerous and caring? Delish.
LoveStage: Possibly Taken. O'Loughlin has been dating Aussie actress/singer Holly Valance for four years, but there are reports that the two have separated.
4.) Isla Fisher
Why You Know Her: Isla Fisher is best known for her role opposite Vince Vaughn in The Wedding Crashers, but she's most recently been on the silver screen in Confessions of a Shopaholic.
What Makes Her So Sexy: Isla is the answer to "What Guys Want". Sure, she's adorably cute and wickedly funny, but she conveys a strength and character that makes guys swoon. Also, she's a redhead, which most of the guys in our office agree is her best asset.
LoveStage: Engaged to Borat actor, Sasha Baron Cohen. They have a daughter named Olive.
5.) Julian McMahon
Why You Know Him: The scandalous son of Australia's former Prime Minister Sir William McMahon, McMahon is best known for role as Dr. Christian Troy on FX's Nip/Tuck.
What Makes Him So Sexy: McMahon's role on Nip/Tuck leaves nothing to the imagination. Not a week goes by when he isn't bedding some sultry siren in a variety of outrageous positions. Still, it was his turn as the half-demon/half-human Cole Turner on Charmed that really won our hearts. McMahon showed off a decidedly tender side while wooing and losing his true love Phoebe (Alyssa Milano). All that pain, anger, romance, undying love, not to mention passionate kisses, is why we'll always come back for more McMahon. Considering his active social life (past loves include Danni Minogue and Shannen Doherty), we're guessing he's just as popular with the ladies off-screen.
LoveStage: Taken. McMahon is currently dating model/actress Kelly Paniagua. He has a daughter, Madison Elizabeth, with his ex-wife, actress Brooke Burns.
6.) Portia de Rossi
Why You Know Her: She starred as clueless heiress Lindsay Bluth Fünke on cult-fave Arrested Development.
What Makes Her So Sexy: Portia de Rossi is like a checklist for sexy women. Tall, blond, beautiful, funny. Check, check, check, and check. Yet, it's who she is in real-life that we find sexiest of all. After being outed in 2004, de Rossi has discussed her sexuality with a frankness and openness that few have matched. Add to that her passionate commitment to charities (Locks of Love and African AIDS Relief, among others) and you've got a recipe for one of the hottest women on the planet.
LoveStage: Married to talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. (Yes, anti-gay marriage peeps, we said married. Deal with it.)
7.) Hugh Jackman
Why You Know Him: Let's see . . . this year he's hosted the Academy Awards, been named Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine, and had a number-one movie at the box office with X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
What Makes Him So Sexy: We know that we haven't always been so kind to Mr. Jackman (See 10 Men Sexier Than Hugh Jackman), but he's won us over this year. He's a triple threat, which means we can spend the night dancing in his arms before he sings us off to sleep at night. Of course, we also didn't mind those abs of adamantium that he was rockin' in Wolverine. (What? We're allowed to be shallow every once in a while.)
LoveStage: Married to actress Deborra-Lee Furness. The couple have two adopted children, a son Oscar Maximillian and Ava Eliot.
8.) Anna Torv
Why You Know Her: She stars opposite Joshua Jackson as FBI agent Olivia Dunham on Fox's Fringe.
What Makes Her So Sexy: A lot of the celebs on this list are sexy because of their passion—whether it's real or just portrayed in a character. Anna Torv is the exact opposite. Her character on Fringe is a cool, calm agent investigating the unexplained. Yes, she can win any fight she's in, but she also struggles to hide her feelings and her love under that collected exterior. In real life, Torv is just the opposite. She's the sweet girl-next-door who fell in love with a co-worker and eloped after a short engagement. Brains, beauty, and spontaneity! Where can we get one of those?
LoveStage: Married to actor Mark Valley, her Fringe co-star, since December 2008.
9.) Eric Bana
Why You Know Him: Appears as Nero, the villian of J.J. Abraham's re-imagining of Star Trek.
What Makes Him So Sexy: Bana is a bit of a chameleon when it comes to acting, and that's why we want to see more. He can easily slip into roles as varied as King Henry VIII in The Other Boleyn Girl or a Romulan seeking revenge in Star Trek. He always keeps us guessing (a little mystery is always good in a man). Of course, his strong chin, cupid lips, and piercingly dark eyes don't hurt either.
LoveStage: Married. Bana and his wife Rebecca Gleeson have two children, a son, Klaus, and daughter, Sophia.
10.) Rachel Griffiths
Why You Know Her: She stars as eldest daughter Sarah Walker on ABC's Brothers and Sisters.
What Makes Her So Sexy: Griffiths is never afraid to put herself out there as an actress. Anyone who's seen her in Six Feet Under knows that she's up for anything—from a realistically rough sex scene to an emotionally devastating confrontation with those she loves. We love that Rachel balances that fearlessness with a normal, balanced family life that includes marriage and kids. Also, she has amazing breasts.
LoveStage: Married. Rachel and her husband, artist Andrew Taylor, are expecting their third child. The couple already has two children, a son Banjo Patrick and a daughter Adelaide Rose.
More for You:
Is there an Aussie actor that we left off the list? Tell us who makes your heart skip a beat (and why) in the comments below. Get your comments in by May 26th for a chance to win a season 8 of the Australian hit McLeod's Daughters on DVD.