Why are the actors in American movies and TV shorts always beautiful or handsome?

I know that there are a lot of good looking birds out there but surely they are not all like that?|||Yes the U.S has some of the most gorgeous women in the world. Also being attractive is basically a prerequisite in order to star in most American films.|||Thats because you never get anywhere in Hollywood unless you look like Angelina, Cameron or Paris!!!!!!!|||I think 'beauty' is so broad that it comprises not only the physcial appearance, but also such aspects as attitude, values, character...





Many actors are actually considered 'average looking'. Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell and even Tom Cruise. Look at them - are they gorgeous? Well, I don't think so. But look at the number of fans (female fans, especially) Tom Cruise has. I mean, he is shorter than his wife and have you seen his recent flat hairstyle? I don't think he is good looking, but he is so talented and such a good actor that people are 'fooled' into the idea that he is handsome.





And of course, makeup plays an important role as well. Facial imperfections are hidden. Even Daniel Radcliffe had his acne digitally erased from the screen by special effect engineers in his latest Harry Potter movie! Cover page photos you see on magazine are so meticulously prepared that every strand of hair is made sure to be in place. Zac Efron airbrushed himself so much on the recent Rolling Stones cover.





There are many handsome actors in Hollywood because with a good look, only will most people then have the confidence and self-esteem to cast themselves in auditions and directors will choose those who they think will appeal to the public (and that's why they eventually become stars and people will start to notice and admire them for their supposedly good looks). This is because different age groups have different perception of 'beauty'. Why did you think Kenny Ortega chose Zac Efron to be the star of High School Musical instead of Corbin Bleu or Andrew Seely? And if the latter is chosen, do you think High School Musical will be such a huge success? And do you think a 5 year old tot will think Justin Timberlake is sexy?





Beauty transcends physical appearance. A positive attitude, kind and friendly character and strong values in life are more important factors to change the pereception of 'beauty' that others have of you.|||Think about Danny DeVito --- hmmmmm!|||That's not ALWAYS the case but in general because sex sells. People will develop crushes and keep coming back for more.|||I agree with LeoGirl...





People tend to not use their imagination when they translate between an unattractive actor and an ideal image...





Better they see the ideal and hope they don't find themselves having difficulty accepting a real-life situation should they happen to be positioned as such...





It's called entertainment...I'm easily entertained, but I'm outnumbered...





Thanks! Yours is a question that begged asking!!|||We must "sell" what people willing to pay|||beauty sells... I'd like to see a little more attention payed to good writing myself... but I do love to look at the hotties all the same :P





Wentworth Miller


Ryan Phillipe


Hayden Christiensen





mmm|||Only the women are beautiful. The male actors are usually slightly better than average looking, because the straight male directors are jealous or don't want to compete with them.|||beautiful is in, ugly is out. a worldwide tragedy. most of the pretty ones have been handmade. like chinese toys they look pretty but are mostly cheap fakes.|||I wouldn't watch TV if everyone or a majority of actors were ugly. Movies and TV are an art form (some of more quality than others). Along with plot and character building we need something pretty to look at to keep our attention. I wouldn't watch "House" if Hugh Laurie wasn't such a smokin hot Britt. I wouldn't watch Law %26amp; Order SVU if Mariska Hargitay wasn't so oddly beautiful. Ya know?|||Because America is very shallow! (Sorry but it's true.) We've gotten a little better though. Heard of the movie HAIR SPRAY? Well the main chick in that ain't too attractive. But the fact still remains and that is that we are shallow. But it is a good marketing technique. Gotta go w/ what works.|||The reason why most directors tend to cast people who are considered good looking in their films/TV shows is because most people like looking at attractive people, it gets people looking... if you have an actor like Johnny Depp/Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie in your film, their fans are practically guaranteed to see it whether it's a good film or not... easy money!





Not all actors are good looking though, I agree that the majority of them are, but just look at Steve Buscemi, Mickey Rourke, Quentin Tarrentino, Cheech Marin, Danny Trejo, Amanda Plummer, Kathy Bates, Danny DeVito...





Admittedly it's mostly males who are more likely to succeed even if they aren't attractive but it's still possible to make a name for yourself without being stunning (and surprisingly they all tend to be in Robert Rodriguez films hehe)





There are also quite a few actors/actresses who probably wouldn't be considered attractive if they were not in films - Uma Thurman, Nicolas Cage, Tony Collette etc.





And airbrushing can help a lot.. Cameron Diaz in particular is well known for her bad skin!|||coz they are all made of botox, silicone and other man made substances!! They are beautiful now but wait til they get old, janice dickinson, jackie stalone, bride of wildenstein, the late anna nicloe smith to name a few.....|||yea...but thats the point...American media is very much based on sex appeal. Its not only that but also the "reality shows" on MTV really don't give you much insight on the real world. Rock music is the only thing that has been unaffected by this sex appeal, but even that is getting to be tainted by this slutty curse on America (Avril Lavine...nuff said)|||Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ... you really need to get your eyes checked!