Top 10 Teen Heartthrobs of All Time

By Heather Huntington on October 20th, 2009

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These days it’s all Zac vs. Robert, but the phenomenon of teen heartthrob-dom is far from new. So who adorned our seventh grade bedroom walls before the Jonas Brothers were but a twinkle in their dad’s eye?

10. The Beatles

Namely, Paul McCartney (aka ‘the cute one’). For some reason, back in the ’50s and ’60s, it seems the girls were more apt to swoon over musicians than movie stars, although that’s probably just splitting hairs. (See also Elvis and Ricky Nelson).

9. Kirk Cameron

Oh Kirk, you were the dreamiest as Mike Seaver on Growing Pains. Until you found Jesus and went completely off the reservation. Shame.

8. Scott Baio

Joanie may have loved Chachi, but I was way more into him as Charles in Charge. I really did wish he was in charge of me. So did every actress in Hollywood and an assortment of Playboy playmates, evidently, but still the point stands.

7. Johnny Depp

Oh, sweet Johnny, you were so hunky in those early 21 Jump Street days, with your part-Cherokee ancestry and your bad boy ways. It’s nice that you hung around to become a pretty fearsome character actor, too. (See also Leonardo DiCaprio).

6. The Coreys

Was there a single movie in the ’80s that didn’t have either Corey Feldman or Corey Haim in it? If not both? Sadly, these guys were the classic case of early fame sending them nutballs, but it was fun while it lasted. Stay off the juice, boys.

5. Christian Slater

With his young Jack Nicholson impression and his sexy sneer, Mr. Slater was one for the alterna-chicks before they were a type. And this isn’t just because Heathers was named after me. Okay, maybe a little.

4. Tom Cruise

Back in the day, Mr. Scientology was just a young slab of beefcake turning heads in Risky Business and Top Gun. I would argue he was a little bit of a manly crush for the teen heartthrob set, but what can you do? The heart wants what it wants. (See also John Stamos, aka the oh so sexy uncle Jesse on Full House).

3. David Cassidy and Leif Garrett
(tie)

Did you have red hair, sing disco, and wear bell bottoms in the ’70s? Then I guess you were HOT. These guys were just a bit before my time, but still, there may be no two people more synonymous with teen heartthrob status than the great Cassidy and Garrett.

2. Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Mario Lopez (tie)

Ah, Zack Morris and A.C. Slater, the veritable pinnacle of squeaky clean teen lust. Those Saved by the Bell days were the best.

1. Jason Priestley and Luke Perry (tie)

You can’t honestly expect me to choose between Brandon and Dylan, can you? No I don’t think you can. Beverly Hills, 90210, you were the best.