Sex symbol

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  (Redirected from Sex Symbol)
Jump to: navigation, search

A sex symbol is a celebrity of either gender, typically an actor, musician, supermodel, teen idol, or sports star, noted for his or her sex appeal. The term was first used in the mid 1950s in relation to the popularity of certain Hollywood stars, especially Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot.[1]

Photo of Marilyn Monroe in 1962

Contents

Cartoons

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the 1930s cartoon character Betty Boop is "the first and most famous" sex symbol on animated screen.[2] After Betty Boop, there was Jessica Rabbit (voiced by Kathleen Turner) from the 1988 live-action/animation crossover film Who Framed Roger Rabbit.[3]

Models

Contemporary fashion models who are cited as sex symbols include Marisa Miller[4] and Heidi Klum[5].

Music

Some examples of musicians who became sex symbols include Janet Jackson[6] and Jon Bon Jovi[7][8]. Rolling Stone described Beyoncé as a "crossover sex symbol".[9].

Video games

Video games have had a few characters that are considered sex symbols; one example would be Lara Croft,[10][11][12] who has had several appearances in mainstream media. Nell McAndrew, who portrayed Lara from 1998 to 1999 in media appearances, appeared in Playboy on August 1999, although the magazine was prevented legally from displaying the name "Lara Croft" next to the model.[13]

Other sex symbols with less notoriety in the mainstream include Rayne, the first video game character that appeared in Playboy, in its October 2004 US issue's article, "Gaming Grows Up";[14] and Nina Williams, voted "Hottest" Female Fighting Character in Guinness World Records, Gamers Edition 2008.[15]

Notable examples

1920s and before

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

Christian Bale

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Flexner, Stuart Berg; Soukhanov, Anne H. (1997). Speaking freely: a guided tour of American English from Plymouth Rock to Silicon Valley. Oxford University Press. p. 373. ISBN 019510692X. http://books.google.com/books?&id=FlANAQAAMAAJ. 
  2. ^ Betty Boop – Boop Oop a Doop (1986) from Rotten Tomatoes
  3. ^ "Amanda Knox Is Like 'Jessica Rabbit'" Sky News (September 27, 2011)
  4. ^ Morgan Brennan (2010-07-09). "Marisa Miller: Supermodel Turned Super-Brand". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/09/marisa-miller-victorias-secret-supermodel-forbes-woman-entrepreneur-brand.html?boxes=Homepagechannels. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  5. ^ Christine Kruttschnitt (2009-05-16). "Hart, härter, Heidi". Stern Magazine. http://www.stern.de/lifestyle/leute/heidi-klum-hart-haerter-heidi-700770.html. Retrieved 2011-03-24. 
  6. ^ . http://www.mylifetime.com/lifestyle/entertainment/portrait/janet-jackson-ultimate-sex-symbol-survivor. 
  7. ^ Laura: "Jon Bon Jovi" page 73. Citadel Press, 2004
  8. ^ Awarded Sexiest Rock Star by People magazine in 2000, 2002 and 2003
  9. ^ "Beyonce: A Woman Possessed". Rolling Stone Magazine. USA. 2004-03-04. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beyonce-a-woman-possessed-20040304. Retrieved 2009-03-28. 
  10. ^ Video World Is Smitten by a Gun-Toting, Tomb-Raiding Sex Symbol from The New York Times
  11. ^ Channel 4 Top 100 Sex Symbols internet poll
  12. ^ "Boom Raider", Telegraph. retrieved 5 March 2008.
  13. ^ Lara saved from Playboy, BBC, 15 July 1999.
  14. ^ AT's Top 10 Video Game Chicks Actiontrip. Retrieved on December 2, 2007
  15. ^ Guinness World Records, Gamers Edition 2008, 2008, p.81. ISBN 978-1-904994-20-6
  16. ^ Jules-Rosette, Bennetta (2007). Josephine Baker in art and life: the icon and the image. Chicago: University of Illinois Press. p. 54. ISBN 0252031571. 
  17. ^ "Theda Bara Sex Symbol:That Silent Film Vamp Drove Men Mad". The Atlanta Georgian. 1917. http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/Silent_Film_Actress_Theda_Bara_ARTICLE. 
  18. ^ Eyman, Scott. "Briefly a Movie Actress— Still a Potent Sex Symbol" New York Observer (December 18, 2006)
  19. ^ "1920s Sex Symbol Clara Bow". spaciousplanet.com (USA). 2008-11-05. http://www.spaciousplanet.com/world/guide/1920s-sex-symbol-clara-bow. Retrieved 2011-03-18. 
  20. ^ Obituary Variety, November 6, 1968, page 71.
  21. ^ Fields, Armond (2008). "Lillian Russell: A Biography of America's Beauty". McFarland. p. 215. ISBN 978-0786438686. http://books.google.com.br/books?id=KtR81ZN533gC&printsec=frontcover&dq=A+Biography+of+America%27s+Beauty+lillian+russell&source=bl&ots=qCgL_a8W2m&sig=_yN_Riq00bBYmcYirBmGphMOLm4&hl=pt-BR&ei=E-l7Tfz9KcOqlAeFrP22BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false. 
  22. ^ "Rudolph Valentino: Style Icon". askmen.com (USA). 2009-10-22. http://www.askmen.com/fashion/style_icon_100/134_style-icon-rudolph-valentino.html. Retrieved 2011-04-01. 
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j " xianet.net (February 6, 2012)
  24. ^ Caterson, Simon (10-06-2009). "Errol Flynn, man in tights". onlineopinion.com (Australia). http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=9021. Retrieved 2011-04-05. 
  25. ^ a b Gribben, Mark. "Lana Turner and Johnny Stompanato - Hollywood Homicide" TruTv website
  26. ^ Shimizu, Celine Parreñas. The hypersexuality of race: performing Asian/American women on screen and scene Duke University Press, 2007. ISBN 082234033X p.90
  27. ^ "A Tribute to Rita Hayworth". Classic movies. United States. 2008. http://www.classicmovies.org/articles/aa101401a.htm. Retrieved 2008. 
  28. ^ Robert E. Johnson (July 23, 1981). "Lena Horne Burns Broadway With Hot Songs and Biting Rap". Jet (Johnson Publishing Company) 60 (19): 54–60. ISSN 0021-5996. http://books.google.com/books?id=LUIDAAAAMBAJ. 
  29. ^ Porter, Darwin (2005). Howard Hughes: Hell's Angel. Blood Moon Productions Ltd.. pp. 639. ISBN 0-974-81181-5. 
  30. ^ "1940s sex symbol Jane Russell dies at 89". today.msnbc.msn.com. 3 February 2011. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41838758/ns/today-entertainment/t/s-sex-symbol-jane-russell-dies/. Retrieved 30 May 2011. 
  31. ^ "The 100 Sexiest Movie Stars of All Time – 71. Gene Tierney". premiere.com. http://www.premiere.com/List/The-100-Sexiest-Movie-Stars-of-All-Time/71.-Gene-Tierney. Retrieved 7 October 2010. 
  32. ^ Linda Williams (2008), Screening sex, Duke University Press, ISBN 0-8223-4285-5, p.114.
  33. ^ " LA Times (February 6, 2012)
  34. ^ "Top 10 Sex Symbols of the 50s & 60s". http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-sex-symbols-of-the-50s-60s.php. Retrieved 6 February 2012. 
  35. ^ Landazuri, Margarita. "How to Marry a Millionaire" on TCM.com
  36. ^ " Britannica (February 6, 2012)
  37. ^ "Amazing Grace: Why we'll always adore the divine Grace Kelly" The Independant (March 23, 2010)
  38. ^ "Gina Lollobrigida Biography". nndb.com (USA). 2007. http://www.nndb.com/people/277/000023208/. 
  39. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s " Channel4.com (February 6, 2012)
  40. ^ "Top 10 Sex Symbols of the 50s & 60s". http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-sex-symbols-of-the-50s-60s.php. Retrieved 6 February 2012. 
  41. ^ " Entertainment Weekly (February 6, 2012)
  42. ^ Mallory, Peter. "Remembering Elizabeth Taylor, America's sweetheart and sex symbol for the older generation" NSBNEws.net (March 23, 2011)
  43. ^ King, Susan. "Mamie Van Doren is all dressed up" Los Angeles Times (January 1, 2011)
  44. ^ "Legendary Icons - Male Sex Symbols Through The Years". (c)2011. http://www.bizarrebytes.com/legendary-icons-male-sex-symbols-through-the-years/. Retrieved 2011-12-21. 
  45. ^ " in.lifestyle.yahoo.com (February 6, 2012)
  46. ^ Biond, Chris. "Fonda memories and the changing face of the sex symbol". http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/features/Fonda-memories-and-the-changing.3608012.jp. Retrieved 3 March 2010. 
  47. ^ "Top 10 Sex Symbols of the 50s & 60s". http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-sex-symbols-of-the-50s-60s.php. Retrieved 6 February 2012. 
  48. ^ "BBC News – Sir Tom Jones on being a sex symbol". bbc.co.uk. 27 September 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11420975. Retrieved 30 May 2011. 
  49. ^ Smithson, Robert. "Eartha Kitt, Exotic Songstress and Actress, Dies at 81" Playbill.com (December 25, 2008)
  50. ^ Scott, Vernon. "Ann-Margret: Sex Symbol Who Stayed" Palm Beach Post (May 2, 1980)
  51. ^ "Legendary Icons - Male Sex Symbols Through The Years". (c)2011. http://www.bizarrebytes.com/legendary-icons-male-sex-symbols-through-the-years/. Retrieved 2011-12-21. 
  52. ^ "Raquel Welch". Cult Sirens. United States. 2009-06. http://www.cultsirens.com/welch/welch.htm. Retrieved 2009-09. 
  53. ^ "Jacqueline Bisset" Los Angeles Times (ndg)
  54. ^ Bennetts, Leslie (2009-08-03). "Farrah Fawcett: America's Angel". Vanity Fair (United States). http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2009/09/farrah-fawcett-outtakes200909#slide=1. Retrieved 2009-08-03. 
  55. ^ "Pam Grier". Cult Sirens. United States. 2003-06. http://www.cultsirens.com/grier/grier.htm. Retrieved 2010-09. 
  56. ^ Janowitz, Tama (April 1987). "Sex as a Weapon". Spin 3 (1): 57. ISSN 0886-3032. http://books.google.com/books?id=komIU8HDrboC&pg=PA57. "I'm a sex symbol in Italy." 
  57. ^ "Tom Cruise". Askmen.com. http://www.askmen.com/celebs/men/mar00/17_tom_cruise.html. Retrieved 6 February 2012. 
  58. ^ "Bo Derek perfect 10: 80s sex symbol looks stunning at fashion party in Cologne". dailymail.co.uk. 4 February 2011. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1352447/Bo-Derek-perfect-10-80s-sex-symbol-looks-stunning-fashion-party-Cologne.html. Retrieved 30 May 2011. 
  59. ^ Janowitz, Tama (April 1987). "Sex as a Weapon". Spin 3 (1): 57. ISSN 0886-3032. http://books.google.com/books?id=komIU8HDrboC&pg=PA57. "I couldn't be a success without also being a sex symbol." 
  60. ^ Green, Michelle (1985-02-04). "The Dish from Down Under: Mel Gibson's Sizzling Screen Presence Hides a Shy Family Man on the Run from His Own Sexcess". People Magazine (United States). http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20089848,00.html. Retrieved 1985-02-10. 
  61. ^ VinCy Thomas. "Ecran Noir – Mickey Rourke". Ecrannoir.fr. http://www.ecrannoir.fr/stars/stars.php?s=692. Retrieved 2009-07-05. 
  62. ^ Serena Kappes (2003-01-28). "Former TV sex symbol Heather Thomas is a screenwriter, activist, mom". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/28/people.watn.thomas/. Retrieved 2009-09-26. 
  63. ^ "Pamela Anderson". msnbc.com. (c)2003. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3341731/ns/dateline_nbc/. Retrieved 2010-12-09. 
  64. ^ a b c d " Top 7: '90s Sex Symbols (February 6, 2012)
  65. ^ Access Hollywood (2010-05-14). "TV One Access: The Most Legendary Sex Symbols Of All Time!". http://www.accesshollywood.com/tatyana-ali/tv-one-access-the-most-legendary-sex-symbols-of-all-time_article_32342. Retrieved 2012-02-06. 
  66. ^ "Legendary Icons - Male Sex Symbols Through The Years". (c)2011. http://www.bizarrebytes.com/legendary-icons-male-sex-symbols-through-the-years/. Retrieved 2011-12-21. 
  67. ^ "The 5: Sex Symbols Who Captivated a Decade". (c)2011. http://theinterrobang.com/2011/12/the-5-sex-symbols-who-captivated-a-decade/. Retrieved 2011-02-06. 
  68. ^ "Legendary Icons - Male Sex Symbols Through The Years". (c)2011. http://www.bizarrebytes.com/legendary-icons-male-sex-symbols-through-the-years/. Retrieved 2011-12-21. 
  69. ^ "Leonardo DiCaprio". msnbc.com. (c)2003. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3341731/ns/dateline_nbc/. Retrieved 2010-12-09. 
  70. ^ " Dailymail.com (February 6, 2012)
  71. ^ " Superiorpics.com (February 6, 2012)
  72. ^ "Brad Pitt". msnbc.com. (c)2003. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3341731/ns/dateline_nbc/. Retrieved 2010-12-09. 
  73. ^ "Antonio, Party of One". marcusschenkenberg.eu.com. (c)2010. http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Television/Antonio,_Party_of_One/. Retrieved 2012-02-06. 
  74. ^ "Tupac Shakur". Vibe Ventures. (c)1997. http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/v/vibe-tupac.html. Retrieved 2012-02-06. 
  75. ^ "The Marcus Schenkenberg Interview". Advocate.com. (c)2009. http://www.marcusschenkenberg.eu/ENGLISH/?de_interview,7. Retrieved 2012-02-06. 
  76. ^ "While the wife's away... As Katy Perry is hard at work, her husband Russell Brand enlists supermodel Cindy Crawford and sex symbol Sharon Stone to keep him company". Daily Mail (UK). 2011-9-23. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2040879/Russell-Brand-enlists-Cindy-Crawford-Sharon-Stone-company.html. Retrieved 2012-02-06. 
  77. ^ "Denzel Washington: I never dreamed of being in Hollywood". http://www.metro.co.uk.+(c)2010. http://www.metro.co.uk/film/848008-denzel-washington-i-never-dreamed-of-being-in-hollywood. Retrieved 2012-02-06. 
  78. ^ Larkin, Mike (2011-09-19). "She's in it to Win it! Kate Winslet arrives in Los Angeles for the Emmys". Vanity Fair (United States). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2038851/Emmy-Awards-nominations-2011-Kate-Winslet-arrives-LA.html. Retrieved 2012-02-07. 
  79. ^ "10 Hot Italian Actresses". Mademan.com (USA). April 2, 2010. http://www.mademan.com/mm/10-hot-italian-actresses.html. Retrieved 2012. 
  80. ^ "The Most Legendary Sex Symbols Of All Time!". accesshollywood.com (USA). 2010. http://www.accesshollywood.com/tatyana-ali/tv-one-access-the-most-legendary-sex-symbols-of-all-time_article_32342. Retrieved 2010. 
  81. ^ " IMDB.com (February 6, 2012)
  82. ^ "Christian Bale sick of sex symbol status". Thaiindian.com (Thailand). 2009. http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/christian-bale-sick-of-sex-symbol-status_10076415.html. Retrieved 2009. 
  83. ^ Romanian Times (2009-11-13). "Italian Sex Symbol Monica Bellucci to star in movie in Bucharest". http://www.romaniantimes.at/news/Panorama/2009-11-13/4246/Italian_sex_symbol_Monica_Bellucci_to_star_in_movie_in_Bucharest. Retrieved 2010-10-20. 
  84. ^ Leith, Sam. "Suddenly, Chelsea's a sex symbol" The Daily Telegraph (9 May 2002)
  85. ^ "Evening Express – Article – Cheryl Cole not comfortable with ‘sex symbol’ label". eveningexpress.co.uk. http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/1933371?UserKey=. Retrieved July 14, 2011. 
  86. ^ " ABClocalgo.com (February 6, 2012)
  87. ^ Chris Lee (September 23, 2009). "Megan Fox: Hollywood's outrageous it girl – Los Angeles Times". articles.latimes.com. http://articles.latimes.com/2009/sep/23/entertainment/et-fox23. Retrieved June 1, 2011. "a sex symbol of the highest order" 
  88. ^ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". TvGuide.com. http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/teri-hatcher/bio/176450. Retrieved February 6, 2012. 
  89. ^ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". contactmusic.com. 2007-01-03. http://www.contactmusic.com/news/hilton-bemoans-sex-symbol-reputation_1017804. Retrieved Dec 16, 2011. 
  90. ^ firestarter (2011-08-15). "Paris Hilton arrives in manila and will meet RP’s Most Eligible Bachelor". http://twitmocha.com/2011/08/paris-hilton-arrives-in-manila-and-will-meet-rps-most-eligible-bachelor/. Retrieved 2011-12-16. 
  91. ^ Palmer, Martyn (2008-12-27). "Scarlett Johansson the reluctant sex symbol". The Times (London). http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article5369980.ece. Retrieved 2010-05-23. 
  92. ^ "Jolie named 'sexiest person ever'". BBC (London). 2007-02-24. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6390647.stm. Retrieved 2007-02-24. 
  93. ^ "Is Hugh Laurie the new George Clooney? The House actor on how he's set pulses racing as TV's moodiest medic". DailyMail (London). 2008-08-09. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1042886/Is-Hugh-Laurie-new-George-Clooney-The-House-actor-hes-set-pulses-racing-TVs-moodiest-medic.html. Retrieved 2012-02-07. 
  94. ^ "8 Eye-Opening Twilight Scandals" Parade (June 29, 2010)
  95. ^ "Tony Parker 'Over' Eva Longoria's Sex Symbol Status http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510723,00.html#ixzz1leu3a4gM" Fox news (March 26, 2009)
  96. ^ "Eva Mendes:"I just want to be known for things other than my sexuality."". Digital Spy. July 20, 2010. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a247295/eva-mendes-more-than-just-a-sex-symbol.html. Retrieved 2010-10-07. 
  97. ^ "5 Unexpected Male Sex Symbols" Yahoo Voices (November 04, 2010)
  98. ^ "Robert Pattinson, Brad Pitt And More Overnight Sex Symbols" MTV.com (September 29, 2009)
  99. ^ "Katy Perry's 'Last Friday Night (TGIF)' Remix Cover Art Goes Geek" Huffington Post (May 4, 2011)
  100. ^ "Rihanna Uncomfortable but Flattered by unintentionally attained Sex Symbol Status". MTV: United Kingdom. http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/rihanna/263029-rihanna-sex-symbol. Retrieved 21 March 2011. 
  101. ^ Britney baffled by Sex symbol status
  102. ^ "Celebrity Health&Fitness (February 6, 2012)
  103. ^ "Usher" People Magazine (March 4, 2005)
  104. ^ McKay, Hollie (2011-07-20). "Star Sofia Vergara 'Loves' Her Sex Symbol Status". Fox News. http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/07/20/smurfs-star-sofia-vergara-loves-her-sex-symbol-status/. Retrieved 2011-07-20. 
  105. ^ Frere-Jones, Sasha (Sept 4, 2006). "Sex Symbols". The New Yorker. http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/09/04/060904crmu_music?currentPage=all. Retrieved 29 December 2011. 
  106. ^ "From School Girls to Sex Symbols". Celebrity Skin Vol. 27, Iss. 123. Dec 2003. 

External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sex_symbol&oldid=477527602"
Personal tools
Namespaces

Variants
Actions
Navigation
Interaction
Toolbox
Print/export
Languages