There were several heartthrobs that had those of us who were born in the 1990s and the early 2000s swooning all over our television screens. Even though these superstar idols are now adults, they nevertheless retain their dreamboat status. The 30 famous men who turn 50 in 2022 are listed below, demonstrating that certain things simply become better with age.
Dwayne Johnson, a professional WWE wrestler who was born on May 2, 1972, first appeared on television in 1996. His attempted NFL career never really took off, but his career in wrestling was anything but a failure. Johnson became a 10-time WWE world champion under the alias “The Rock” before officially retiring from competition in 2019. His acting career was eventually made possible by the success of his wrestling profession, and his debut leading role came in the 2002 movie The Scorpion King.
Dwayne Johnson – Now
Johnson has been in a number of well-known movies and television shows since making his acting debut, including Tooth Fairy, Hercules, Moana, and the Jumanji film series, to name a few. Recently, Johnson has expanded his commercial interests beyond his acting career.
This includes American football league co-owner XFL and entertainment production business Seven Bucks Promotions. Johnson, now a father of three kids named Simone, Jasmine, and Tiana, is thrilled to be turning 50 “in a house full of strong women.”
Eminem – Then
Marshall Bruce Mathers III, better known by his stage name Eminem, is one of the most well-known American rappers of the twenty-first century and is widely regarded as one of the all-time greats. When he was 24 years old, his debut album Infinite was released, and it was widely regarded as a commercial failure.
Eminem was America’s best-selling musician in 2000 after creating his alter identity “Slim Shady” and signing with Dr. Dre’s record company. His subsequent albums, however, were incredibly successful.
Eminem – Now
After battling addiction throughout the early to mid-2000s, Eminem has since released his 11th studio album, Music to Be Murdered By, and has also composed music for film soundtracks.
Mathers is currently single, despite the fact that his business life is as hectic as ever and there are rumors of a planned world tour. The rapper, whose oldest daughter, Hailie Jade, frequently appears in the lyrics of his early albums, is instead concentrating on his connections with his three daughters.
Ben Affleck – Then
One of the most well-known male actors in Hollywood, Ben Affleck started his career at the age of 12 with a part in The Voyage of the Mimi. After becoming more well-known and winning an Oscar and a Golden Globe for the movie Goodwill Hunting, he went on to carve out a successful acting, directing, and humanitarian career.
All of Affleck’s romances have been reported, but his long-lasting aversion to paparazzi attention stems from his relationship with Jennifer Lopez, which lasted from 2002 to 2004.
Ben Affleck – Now
While still performing and directing, Affleck’s forthcoming work will see him reprise his role as Batman in the 2022 film The Flash. However, it’s his personal life that has been making headlines lately. After ten years of marriage, Affleck and his wife Jennifer Garner divorced in a highly publicized manner in June 2015.
Affleck has now renewed a connection with ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, whom he was dating back in 2004. His relationship with Garner, with whom he shares three children, is still amicable.
Idris Elba – Then
Idris Elba, a well-known actor and DJ from London, made his acting debut in 1994 with small parts in the BBC series Crimewatch.
He began appearing in various British series before making his North American acting debut on Law & Order and The Office. He then went on to appear in Ghostrider, Prometheus, and other Marvel movies as Heimdall. He continued to do well as a DJ while he was an actor, going by the name DJ Big Driis.
Idris Elba – Now
Idris Elba, who will turn 50 in a few months, doesn’t appear to be slowing down after appearing in the 2021 action film The Suicide Squad, performing as a DJ at the 2019 Coachella Music Festival, and being the subject of ongoing speculations that he will play the next James Bond.
Along with his wife, Canadian model Sabrina Dhowre Elba, and other artistic efforts including a t-shirt business and collaboration with Louboutin, Elba has also been active in charitable work to combat poverty and hunger in African countries.
Jude Law – Then
Jude Law has had a famous and award-winning playing career spanning theater, TV, and cinema, and has been the object of numerous crushes and infatuations ever since his stage work in 1995.
The Talented Mr. Ripley, in which he co-starred with Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Cate Blanchett, was his first major Hollywood success. Law has a lengthy career and has had numerous nominations for, as well as victories at, Golden Globes, Academy Awards, and BAFTAs.
Jude Law – Now
The movie star and undeniable ladies’ guy has his hands full raising six kids in addition to playing Albus Dumbledore in the eagerly awaited Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore spin-off movie.
While his three oldest children, Rudy (19), Iris (20), and Rafferty (25), are adults and paving their own careers in acting and modeling, Law and his wife Phillipa Coan recently welcomed their sixth child, giving him plenty to be happy about as he approaches 50.
Shaquille O’Neal – Then
Then there is Shaquille O’Neal, who is exceptionally tall. He was 6’6″ when he was 13 years old. It is therefore not surprising that, at the age of 20, he was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA Draft.
O’Neal also published a number of rap CDs in the early years of his NBA career, but they were not well received. After abandoning his rap career, O’Neal devoted himself to basketball, playing for the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, and Orlando Magic.
Shaquille O’Neal – Now
O’Neal made his official retirement from basketball following the 2011 season after competing in 15 NBA All-Star Games, winning 15 NBA titles, and being inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.
In addition to playing basketball, O’Neal has dabbled in a bit of acting, served as a deputy sheriff for a while, and launched a number of businesses. O’Neal, a proud father of six, is getting ready to spend his 50th birthday with his kids and Allie Ilonzeh, his new girlfriend, on March 6.
John Cho – Then
John Cho, who was born in Seoul, South Korea, emigrated to the US in 1978. Cho first came to public recognition after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley. It was during this time that he popularized the phrase “MILF.” Cho played a brief role in the American Pie movie series.
Cho is best known for his major role as Harold Lee in the humorous Harold & Kumar movies, despite having a few supporting appearances in the 1990s and the early 2000s.
John Cho – Now
John Cho recently starred in the Netflix original film Cowboy Bebop, which made its premiere on the streaming service in 2021 to mixed reviews. Cho, who is close to 50 years old, demonstrated remarkable acting and martial arts abilities (as well as an impressive set of abs) following the premiere of Cowboy Bebop, demonstrating that age is both a mindset and a number.
Along with his acting job, Cho is promoting better Asian representation in the film and television industries with his wife of eight years, Kerri Higuchi.
Gabriel Macht – Then
Gabriel Macht, who was born on January 22 in New York City, had his acting debut when he was eight years old in the movie Why Would I Lie? for which he received a nomination for Best Young Motion Picture Actor.
Despite having a limited career, Macht is best known for his work on The Good Shepherd, The Spirit, and for playing the title character in the 2011–2019 TV legal drama Suits.
Gabriel Macht – Now
With his wife, Jacinda Barrett, an Australian-born mother of two, Gabriel Macht has maintained a very low profile since the conclusion of Suits in 2019.
Apart from a cameo on the Suits spin-off, Macht didn’t have any significant roles in the works when he attended Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding in 2018 as a guest. The celebrity seems to be more concerned with spending time with his family and friends.
Common – Then
American rapper and actor Common made his debut in 1992 with his album Can I Borrow a Dollar? Common was born Lonnie Rashid Lynn.
And while he enjoyed some measure of success with his first few albums, it was his involvement with the Soulquarians that helped him break through to a wider audience. The early and middle 2000s saw Common take on a variety of acting gigs, and in 2011 he established his own record label, Think Common Entertainment.
Common – Now
The Grammy, Oscar, and Emmy Award winner, Common, is still going strong as he approaches his 50th birthday on the strength of numerous accolades. Following his Oscar victory for “Best Original Song in a Motion Picture,” Common established his own production company with the goal of championing diverse stories and underrepresented groups.
He enjoys spending time with his new girlfriend, comedian and actor Tiffany Haddish, in addition to acting and executive producing a Showtimes series called The Chi.
Wayne Brady – Then
Wayne Brady, an accomplished TV personality, actor, comedian, and singer who was born in America, is a “jack of all crafts.” The Wayne Brady Show, his self-titled variety show, and his appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyway and How I Met Your Mother are what make him most well-known.
Brady has now gone on to win and receive nominations for a number of prime time and daytime Emmy awards, defying the notion that a jack of all trades is a master of none.
Wayne Brady – Now
Wayne Brady continued to work in cinema and television after overcoming mental health concerns in the middle of the 2000s, playing supporting roles in a number of productions and presenting a variety of game shows.
Brady adds that working as the executive producer and presenter of the improv game show Game of Talents in 2021 has benefited both his career and his relationships. He’s not married right now, but he’s still close with his ex-wife, Mandie Taketa.
Scott Foley – Then
Although Scott Foley, 49, never seemed to have the most successful Hollywood career, it didn’t seem to lessen his dreamboat reputation in the early 2000s.
His most well-known screen appearance was in the slasher movie Scream 3 from the 2000s. He also appeared in episodes of the TV shows Dawson’s Creek, Grey’s Anatomy, Scrubs, and Scandal. In addition, he is well-known for being Jennifer Garner’s husband from 2000 to 2004 before she met and wed fellow actor Ben Affleck.
Scott Foley – Now
Foley’s union with Jennifer Garner came to an end, but he’s been blissfully wed to Polish-American actress Marika Domiczyk since 2007. Foley has made no secret of his desire to spend more time with his family as a husband and father of three kids.
The Foley family recently relocated to the United States East Coast from the hectic city of Los Angeles. Despite the change, he continues to work as an actor; his most recent project was The Big Leap, a new drama series on FOX.
Brad Paisley – Then
Hi there, Cowboy! Brad Paisley, a performer in the American country music genre, is another male star on our list. Although country music may not be to everyone’s taste, Paisley has had a tremendously successful music career since his 1999 debut album, Who Needs Pictures.
He has earned numerous accolades, including three Grammys, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards, and two American Music Awards, in addition to selling over 11 million albums. Paisley has made numerous TV appearances in addition to his singing career.
Brad Paisley – Now
Although it’s not yet known if Paisley is working on a new album, he has a world tour planned for 2022 that will include stops in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. This tour’s details will be decided right before Paisley turns 50 on October 28.
Along with his music, Paisley also launched his own liquor line in 2021 called “American Highway Reserve.” Clearly cognizant of his target market, the beverage is marketed with the special selling feature of having been matured in barrels that traveled with Paisley on tour.
Eric Dane – Then
We’re sure you’ve heard of the popular medical drama Grey’s Anatomy and its character Mark Sloan, affectionately known as “McSteamy.” Eric Dane is the man we have to thank for the portrayal of this character.
Dane is best known for his work on Grey’s Anatomy, but he has also been in Charmed, Gideon’s Crossing, and the eyeliner-heavy Burlesque.
Eric Dane – Now
Dane has struggled to escape the confines of his connection to “McSteamy,” but the actor just scored a significant part in the well-liked and edgy HBO series Euphoria.
Dane made an emotional reunion episode for Grey’s Anatomy in 2021, and while he didn’t hesitate to do so, he told the media that a long-term return to the show is not in the works. Dane is instead concentrating on his new acting endeavors and the two young girls he has with Rebecca Gayheart, who is also an actress.
Josh Duhamel – Then
Josh Duhamel is swoon-worthy at any age, as we all know because he was a former fashion model. Duhamel initially started off as an extra in music videos but eventually rose to fame on the soap drama All My Children.
Duhamel succeeded in breaking out of the soap-opera mold and went on to work in film, with some of his most memorable early appearances being in the Transformers series. Duhamel was well-known for his acting and modeling roles as well as for his ten-year marriage to Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas.
Josh Duhamel – Now
Duhamel is clearly a “silver fox” as he approaches his 50th birthday, and he has used this and his acting prowess to his advantage by taking on a number of new parts in 2021.
In his forthcoming projects, actor Josh Duhamel will appear in Disney’s Mandalorian, Jennifer Lopez’s Shotgun Wedding, and Renée Zellweger’s The Thing About Pam. Duhamel has seen success in his personal life as well as his recent acting roles after getting engaged to his girlfriend Audra Diane Mari lately.
Wentworth Miller – Then
Wentworth Miller experienced a rough start to his acting career and a few minor roles on various TV shows before landing the lead role in the smash Fox television series Prison Break.
Miller received a Golden Globe nomination for his role of a former engineer turned maestro of jail heists during the five seasons of the show. Miller continued to work on television shows including The Flash and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit after Prison Break’s success.
Wentworth Miller – Now
Miller struggled to find any noteworthy film or television roles after his major part in Prison Break came to an end. But after exposing his own struggles with depression, he has been actively working with charities and groups that support mental health.
In addition, Miller received a diagnosis of autism at the age of 49. Since then, she has worked to increase the depiction of neurodiversity in film and television.
Kelly Slater – Then
Kelly Slater, a native of Florida, is frequently recognized as the best professional surfer of all time. Slater began surfing at the age of five, began competing at the age of 10, and started surfing professionally in 1990.
He holds the record for the most times crowned as world champion, having received the honor 11 times, in addition to being the youngest and oldest surfer to do so. In addition to his surfing prowess, Slater has been in a number of movies and TV shows on surfing.
Kelly Slater – Now
Kelly Slater turned 50 on February 11th, yet the surfing icon still won his 56th career championship at the Pipe Masters competition in Hawaii.
In addition to his efforts in professional surfing, Slater has established his own line of surfboards and has made a considerable contribution to philanthropy and environmental activism. Slater is anxious to give back and make sure future generations may enjoy the same natural freedoms because he built his career on the outdoors.
Michael Rosenbaum – Then
Michael Rosenbaum, an American actor, director, comedian, producer, and podcaster, has probably appeared in more movies and TV shows than you might anticipate. Although he is most known for playing Lex Luthor in Smallville, the majority of his performances have relied on his voice.
This includes his voice work in the animated Justice League series, Racing Stripes, and Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.
Michael Rosenbaum – Now
It seems that Rosenbaum has taken a hiatus from acting after participating in Guardians of the Galaxy:2 and The Neighbour to concentrate on starting and growing his podcast Inside of You, which has him chatting casually with famous people about various themes.
Rosenbaum, who is getting close to 50, and his band Sun Spin published their debut album Best Days in 2021. Although Rosenbaum isn’t in a relationship right now, he still keeps in touch with the Smallville actors and appears content to just take any potential future relationships at its value.
Manny Ramirez – Then
Rosenbaum, who is getting close to 50, and his band Sun Spin published their debut album Best Days in 2021. Although Rosenbaum isn’t in a relationship right now, he still keeps in touch with the Smallville actors and appears content to just take any potential future relationships at its value.
Ramirez was one of the best right-handed batters of his generation and finally signed a record deal with the Boston Red Sox after making his Major League debut in 1993.
Manny Ramirez – Now
Manny Ramirez is a front-runner to be inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, but it appears he wasn’t quite ready to retire.
Ramirez retired in 2011 and took a 10-year break before joining the Sydney Blue Socks of Australian Baseball in 2021. He wasn’t able to play for the Australian team, though, and was instead released. Ramirez maintains the eccentric and carefree personality that made him famous, despite rumors of some health difficulties as he approaches his 50th birthday.
Marlon Wayans – Then
Anyone who watched comic films from the early 2000s has probably heard of Marlon Wayans. Marlon, one of the two Wayan brothers, is most known for his work on the sitcom The Wayan Bros, which bears his name, as well as box office successes like White Chicks and Scary Movie.
Wayans tried to break out of his typecast by playing more tragic roles in the 2000 film Requiem for a Dream, but he was aware of his skills, as evidenced by the number of comedies he had on his resume.
Marlon Wayans – Now
Shawn Wayans, his brother, has appeared to fade from public view, while Marlon Wayans is still active in the field. Despite not having any movies scheduled for release in 2022, he has been performing stand-up comedy across the country.
Wayans has inked a contract with HBO Max to produce a comedy series called Marlon Wayans: You Know What it Is. He also writes and broadcasts his own YouTube program. The celebration will be celebrated with Wayans’ two children, Shawn, 19, and Amai, 21, even though he is still single as he approaches his 50th birthday.
Mark Owen – Then
Mark Owens, an English singer best known for being a member of the pop group Take That, is a member of another boy band.
When Take That was formed in 1989, the band immediately saw success with their debut album Take That & Party peaking at number two on the UK Album charts. Owens was the first member of the band to record a solo album after the group broke up in 1996, and his debut singles both peaked at number three.
Mark Owen – Now
Although it cannot be stated that Robbie Williams, Owen’s Take That bandmate, has enjoyed the same level of success, he has continued to put out albums and work in the music business.
Owens admitted to having many indiscretions, but despite the turmoil surrounding his personal life, he is still married to Emma Ferguson, the woman he has been with for 12 years. Although Owen revealed in February 2022 that he has been creating new material, it is still unclear whether a new solo album will be issued.