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Question of the Day | 09/17/2008 12:00 am

We know what makes Brad Pitt and Leo DiCaprio sexy. What makes the mature man (over 50) sexy?

© Shutterstock
Candice Bergen

Candice Bergen | 09/17/2008 12:00 am

Candice Bergen Says Older Men Are Far Sexier Than Brad Pitt

Older men have just always been the sexiest to me. Far more than Leonardo or Brad. I saw Ben Bradley the other night and at 87 he is still one of the most attractive, intelligent, fascinating and sexy men alive. I look at my 71-year-old husband all the time and think, Marsh, you have such sex appeal. He is such an elegant man in appearance and behavior while staying true to the Brooklyn boy he is. He is romantic, generous, protective, attentive, goony and fun. He has great depth and intelligence and sound values. He is interested in everything and has great joie de vivre and tremendous compassion. He is just wonderful company and part of that accrues from his years on the planet and what he has done with them.

Joan Juliet Buck

Joan Juliet Buck | 09/17/2008 12:00 am

Joan Juliet Buck on the Sad Reality of Cute Men

Leo DiCaprio is not sexy to me. Brad Pitt is cute which has nothing to do with sexy. We all know the glossy lure and sad reality of cute men. The dream is a mature man who knows what he likes, knows himself, has seen what life does, but still can laugh and has kept up his hope and is not bitter, who is curious, enterprising and strong. Who does not depend on: painkillers, Viagra, Zoloft, lithium, alcohol, his therapist, his ex-wife, a coterie of men to whom he tells all, who works out just enough and doesn’t talk about it, who is etc. and etc. and etc., and doesn’t get hypnotized by your younger female friends. And if you find one, get me two.

Liz Smith

Liz Smith | 09/17/2008 12:00 am

Liz Smith's Seven Characteristics That Make the Over-50 Man Sexy

What makes a mature man sexy? Great tailoring, fine shoes, sense of humor, tolerance, intelligence, know-how. No sense of desperation.

Click here on this text to read my New York Post column.

Joan Ganz Cooney

Joan Ganz Cooney | 09/17/2008 12:00 am

Joan Ganz Cooney's Wild Side

Sexy at any age is a man who makes me laugh and seems a little dangerous. 

Cynthia McFadden

Cynthia McFadden | 09/17/2008 12:00 am

Sexy to Cynthia McFadden Means Two Things

Sexy is smart and funny.

70 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Jozie Lee
Intelligence makes a man sexy. Like Tom Bergeron. He’s got a quick mind. He’s warm, and charming. And, to me, he’s the sexiest man on television. He’ll be even sexier if he wins an Emmy on Sunday, but that’s just icing on the cake.
By Jozie Lee on 09/17/2008 12:06 am
Maizie James
Confidence, competence, and intelligence makes the mature man sexy. Also, I like a man who understands the importance of good grooming. Most of all, I find older men more sexy because they are more laid back and are better listeners. As for ‘good looks’, I don’t think of Brad Pitt or Leo DiCaprio as sexy. However, I’m attracted to the ‘rugged’ look of Tommy Lee Jones. That said, I’ve not met or seen anyone (famous) who was more sexy looking than my ex.
By Maizie James on 09/17/2008 12:33 am
Star Lawrence
My sister likes Tommy Lee—he doesn’t quite click with me, though. I like a man’s body—solid, maybe even a little stocky, really THERE. I will some intelligence in the face. Tom Berenger or that Jeremy Statham guy from The Transporter. I said to my kid the other day that Bruce Campbell on Burn Notice was sort of my type. As for the young stuff, that new kid Ryan Gosling (is that it?) has a twinkle. I have no idea what these guys are like in person…but on the surface, they are intriguing.
By Star Lawrence on 09/17/2008 10:41 am
Star Lawrence
I meant JASON Statham—I can’t even keep my fantasies staight these days. I also agree on grooming. No men in AZ even own suits—they wear those rocks on a string as a necktie (I know, bola tie—I got in trouble for a column I wrote mocking those—they even have a society of wearers who lit into me). I saw a guy out here once—no lie—with a t-shirt on that had a butt crack painted at the bottom on the back! Yipes.
By Star Lawrence on 09/17/2008 10:45 am
Frannie Em
Star LOL, Oh I feel bad for you. What’s a girl to do? California is so relaxed it is ridiculous, but if I buy my husband nice clothes, he wears them and looks great. He loves it. Sometimes he dresses up when it is a casual gig, and he is surprised when I say “Is that what you are wearing?”
By Frannie Em on 09/17/2008 2:16 pm
Patrice Baldwin
I agree, Star, that the men in AZ I’ve met in my 3 years here aren’t very interesting. The older they get, the ricketier they are. The old guys at the gym are nice, but that’s a bad place to see a guy - with his knobbly knees hanging out. Better to imagine him in a 3 piece suit. Somehow that doesn’t work either.
By Patrice Baldwin on 09/17/2008 9:47 pm
Linda P
The late Gregory Peck was THE sexiest, most attractive man who ever walked the earth. Classy, elegant, graceful - something sort of “smoldering” behind those wonderful eyes of his, but I sense he was a gentle, tender man - also a great dresser. I don’t think they make ‘em like that anymore. And I’ll bet he was a “good kisser,” just like John McCain.
By Linda P on 09/25/2008 3:40 pm
Frannie Em
A good witty comment at the right moment with a little sexy innuendo is always fun. Ability to laugh at themselves. Trying to stay fit for you. Intelligence and the willingness to learn. I like when they can build things. Artistic. Beautiful arms and thighs. Saving a funny story for you to tell you when they get home, and can’t wait to tell it to you. My husband is good looking enough, but I wouldn’t say he was my type. He chased me for a long time before I gave my heart. That was sexy.
By Frannie Em on 09/17/2008 12:43 am
Maizie James
Frannie, Another wonderful insight. Thanks.
By Maizie James on 09/17/2008 12:51 am
Frannie Em
Thanks Maizie I like what you said too, especially about good grooming. It is really important. How are you? How is life treating you?
By Frannie Em on 09/17/2008 2:00 pm
Maizie James
Hello Frannie, Thank you for asking about me. I’m doing well, however like most people there is always one thing or another to cope with. Most difficult of all is trying to remain strong for my son and his wife, because my daughter-in-law’s mother is dying from pancreatic cancer. She and I are the same age and became very good friends. Spirits are low because no one knew she was ill until several weeks ago. She recently returned from China, where she taught English for two years. When we saw her, we suspected something was wrong, but we had no idea she was so very ill. Incredibly, she appears to be in good spirits and she says she is ‘ready’ for the inevitable. In fact, she has made all arrangements regarding her finances/estate, and funeral arrangements. We’re trying to respect her wishes to accept her fate. But, it is difficult; especially for her daughter(s). Meanwhile, I’m praying. Again, thank you for asking. I hope all is well with you. All the best.
By Maizie James on 09/17/2008 10:43 pm
Frannie Em
Maizie I am so sorry to hear that. I know you love your wonderful and diverse family so well. It is so crazy when there is a diagnosis of such finality. Unsuspecting until it is upon us. I am so sorry whenever I hear that. It is such a shock for everyone. Whew!! I don’t think that most people know that there is a blood test to see if a person has markers for cancer. I don’t know why they don’t make it standard anytime we have blood tests. Everyone should ask their doctor for it, and get them once a year. Early detection is really important. Some insurance companies won’t pay for it. I say who cares, it is really important and not that expensive when it has to do with your health. It is better that she is letting go, it will be easier for her, and in the long run it will be easier for her daughters. Has she applied for home hospice care? It is better than in the hospital, for her and the family. (sorry) I hope I don’t just sound “practical” but I have been through it with a couple of family members. A good hospice nurse is like an angel to the family. They help the family to understand the physical transition. She sounds like a lovely person, it is too bad. I will be with you. Hang in there. All the best to you too.
By Frannie Em on 09/17/2008 11:54 pm
Maizie James
Frannie, Thank you for your kind words. My daughter-in-law is flying to New Hampshire tonight. Her mother, Ann was living in an ashram (in NH) when she returned from China, but she is now in a very well run Hospice. I think my daughter-in-law will benefit from the support of the hospice staff. Again, thank you.
By Maizie James on 09/18/2008 4:44 pm
joan larsen
Do we actually even want to think twice about men - celebrities or not - who think they are God’s gift to women? Are we that hard up? (don’t answer that!!!) But somewhere around 50 - not usually younger - something pretty wonderful happens: we suddenly notice that men have crossed a great divide. Or at least the ones I have been attracted to have. Before, well — they have been pretty interested in themselves, haven’t they? Sure, there have been plenty of exceptions . . . men that somehow KNEW that they were some of the few lucky ones who had married a princess the first time around and treated her as such. But for those women who have had to dream on, don’t ever give up. For as we become more confident in ourselves with age, men seem to look at us in a new way. They in turn don’t act so much like kids with one thing on their minds (two, if you include sports!!) The best of them have grown up now. They have grown into their mature selves — and begin to look great in that adult way that is so appealing. The best of them augment the look of 50-ish with better taste in clothes - or so it seems to me. But once they step over the divide, they realize what we women knew all along: we are intelligent, can hold our own in conversations, are fun and cuddly (sometimes at the same time), and we have never STOPPED taking care of ourselves so we look pretty good. Men, I think, as they get a bit older become more vulnerable, more confiding, begin to show they care in any number of ways invisible for the last 30 years, and hey! don’t WE begin to become more attracted to all these new facets of “him” that have opened up? This man is “sexy” in our eyes as he never had been before. . . and for some of us, there is a magnetism we haven’t felt since those early years of marriage. I think perhaps the key phrase is that we notice “he really cares” . . . and that is pretty irresistable. And then we find that we care in that deeper way that we hadn’t felt before. We really talk, we say sweet nothings and mean them with this stronger, deeper love that happens on the other side of 50. We are alive again. . and it feels wonderful!
By joan larsen on 09/17/2008 12:52 am
Agyness O
JOE BIDEN IS THESEXIEST MAN ALIVE”!!!
By Agyness O on 09/17/2008 12:50 pm