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Matinée Idol is a term used mainly to describe film or theatre stars who are adored to the point of adulation by their fans.

The term almost exclusively refers to male actors. Invariably the adulation was fixated on the actor's looks rather than performance. It differs from 'sex symbol' (and is also faintly derogatory) in that it suggests the star's popularity came from matinée (French for 'morning') performances rather than 'big picture' evenings, and hence a less discriminating audience.

Now somewhat old-fashioned, the phenomenon reached its height during the period from the 1930s to around the 1960s, a period extending from the beginning of the 'talkies' to the development of pop culture. As a concept it was supplanted by the more music-led teen idol.

Considering that today movie stars are selected more for their acting talent than their looks and personal style, the term matinée idol has become outdated. Though there still are movie stars that may be considered matinée idols, such as stylish and handsome actors like George Clooney. Such actors are worshipped for their looks and style, and their acting talent becomes secondary.

In the 1930s a matinee idol had to have classic features and profile. In contrast, nowadays actors like Brad Pitt don't have these features but are worshipped for their looks.

Actors who have at some point in their careers been described as matinée idols have included:

• Francis X. Bushman
• Rudolph Valentino^[1]
• Ivor Novello^[2]
• Dirk Bogarde^[3]
• Tony Curtis
• Errol Flynn
• Clark Gable
• Gary Cooper
• Montgomery Clift
• Rock Hudson
• Tab Hunter
• Paul Newman
• Tyrone Power
• Warren Beatty
• Robert Redford
• Robert Taylor
• Stewart Granger
• John Barrymore^[4][5]

Modern Day Matinee Idols would be:

• George Clooney
• Tom Cruise
• Eddie Murphy
• Richard Gere
• Mel Gibson
• Brad Pitt

Matinée Idol is also the title of a 1928 Frank Capra film [1], a 1933 UK film and a Rufus Wainwright song, as well as countless articles and biographies concerning film and theatre actors^[6].

1. ^ The Valentino Mystique: The Death and Afterlife of the Silent Film Idol by Allan R. Ellenberger (2005)
2. ^ Ivor Novello: the Perennial Matinee Idol
3. ^ Dirk Bogarde: Matinee idol, great screen actor, writer, artist...
4. ^ John Barrymore - Shakespearean Actor Biography
5. ^ John Barrymore - IMDb.com
6. ^ Idol Worship: A Shameless Celebration of Male Beauty in the Movies by Michael Ferguson (2003)

• B-movie Beefcake