But shouldn't the "sexiest intellectual" actually be an intellectual, and not just an actor who plays one on TV?

I was sure I wouldn't see Malcom Gladwell when I clicked on the "Rugged Intellectual" link, but maybe Steven Pinker or Steve Jobs, not...Troy McClure.

I like Gabriel Byrne, but if you are going to put an actor in this category why not pick Hugh Laurie who is drop dead sexy as Dr. Gregory House.

Laurie has also written a funny and convoluted spy novel, starred in three landmark television series in Britain (Blackadder, A Bit of Fry & Laurie, and Jeeves & Wooster), plays several musical instruments, sings, writes music, and is a first-class athlete. He also graduated from Cambridge University.

Hugh Laurie actually IS an intellectual as well as playing one on TV.

"...man with smarts, toughness and true versatility,"

Notice how he's the one over the age of 40?

Obviously, MichaelL, you haven't a clue about who Gabriel Byrne is or what he's been involved in as an actor. Women find him delicious because he's the entire package~good looking and intelligent (for those of us who have met him, and are familiar with what he's involved in, we can attest to it, personally!). Men find him intriguing as an actor because he's serious and doesn't accept the typical, matinee-idol-type roles. His character as Dr. Paul Weston suits him well. He's comfortable in this character's shoes because his character is smart, provocative, and reserved...very much like the individual he is in real life.

I dare say, in a match of wits, I'm betting he could knock you down with a one-two-punch of intelligence! Intellectual bruiser~Yes, I believe he is!

All right, knowshimwell, I'll take your troll bait.

What exactly are Gabriel Byrne's intellectual achievements? He has written a single play and had a short lived career as an archeologist without a single publication. Is there some other body of work that qualifies him as an intellectual?

And without knowing a single thing about me, it's awfully presumptuous to assume that someone who you only claim to have met could "knock [me] down with a one-two-punch of intelligence."

I'm hardly a troll and I have no need to bait anyone. Rather, I speak the facts. I have no reason to argue with anyone, including you, MichaelL. I have a deep respect for this man. He's a class act!

Mr. Byrne has received numerous awards from 1979 to 2008. Among those awards are from the following:

l979: Royal Court Theatre, London ...

...2007: Honorary Award from University of Philosophy/Trinity College, Dublin

2008: Gregory Peck Excellence in Art of Film, Dingle, etc. All you need to do is go to any biographical link on the net and you'll see the published data.

He not only wrote an independent film called Last of the High Kings, but also wrote Draiocht (a foreign film) and Lark in Clear Air. He's also produced a number of films. He wrote his own book (no ghost writer!) called Pictures in My Head.

He's actively involved in Croi (Ireland's Cardiology Foundation), Concern Worldwide, and Amnesty International. You are free to google any of these organizations and note his involvement is legitimate. What's more, he was instrumental in designing the Imagine Campaign for Amnesty International in 2002.

He was named UNICEF's Ambassador because of his activism in 2004.

He is a 1973 graduate of Dublin University. He graduated with a degree in literary arts & language. He is proficient in speaking not only English, but Gaelic and Spanish, also. He was a former teacher prior to becoming an actor in his later years.

In his company, I have heard his diverse and higher taxonomy vocabulary. I guarantee, your run-of-the-mill actor couldn't pronounce half of the words this man has in his everyday conversational vernacular.

This actor is, indeed, an intelligent thespian and a remarkably sensitive, caring human being. Many individuals in the profession could learn a few things from this man.

Along with the other achievements noted by Knowshimwell, I don't think I'm putting too fine a point on it to note that Mr. Byrne's book, "Pictures in My Head", received rave reviews on both sides of the Atlantic.

I am amazed, I am confounded, I am astonished and I am flabbergasted that anyone would have the gall to question the intelligence of Gabriel Byrne. I would go through the list of accomplishments of this achingly beautiful man, but knowshimwell has already done that in such splendid detail. Perhaps MichaelL, you should do more research before you post your hastily formed opinions. This man’s fan base consists of a lot of educated women and we can spot the ill-informed pretty quickly.

My advice to you is to read more and type less.

And Blacktop, while I am agree that Hugh Laurie is also a semi-attractive and intelligent person, I see no sane reason to offer up a lesser mortal to take the place of Mr. Byrne on this list. Gabriel Byrne also plays musical instruments, has starred in several series, Broadway plays and movies, has published his own autobiography, produced films, written screenplays, the list goes on and on. And Mr. Byrne is, without a doubt, the most stunningly handsome man on the planet. Yes, Mr. Laurie did graduate from Cambridge, a seemingly superior academic prize to Mr. Byrne’s degree from Dublin University, but George W. Bush graduated from the prestigious Yale University, so we know that the reputation of the school doesn’t necessarily guarantee the superior intelligence of its students.

No, in the category of intelligent-and-sexy men, it is absolutely impossible to set the bar higher than Gabriel Byrne. His combination of old-world, literary intelligence, heart-stopping physical beauty, kind-yet-tortured sadness, and innocent “what, me, sexy?” charm is insurmountable.

My only question is as follows: How could anyone in their right mind have given the number one spot on this list to Robert Downey Jr. instead of Gabriel Byrne? Someone, anyone, please explain this madness to me!

Never before have I been given over to a mix of arrogant and ignorant thoughts, but in the case of Gabriel Byrne, I fell victim to an acute attack. Watching an episode of In Treatment on a chilly evening back in February, a welcome respite from the river of TV-viewing sludge being passed off as reality shows in the wake of the writers' strike, I was riveted by the heretofore unbeknownst-to-me Gabriel Byrne's brilliant performance as Dr. Paul Weston. A rare find indeed, this gumbo of fierce acting chops, mad handsome looks, razor sharp intelligence, and dulcet vocal tones ladled over a sweet Irish lilt, caused the voice in my head to scream, "Where has THIS cat been? His people need to get him out there more."

The very next morning, a wise google search revealed just how arrogant and ignorant my thoughts had been. As knowshimwell has masterfully outlined, Gabriel Byrne's impressive body of acting/writing/directing/producing/narration work, selfless humanitarian projects, and treasure trove of well-deserved awards compelled me to cure myself with knowledge of this guy.

I discovered that Gabriel Byrne is simply, a spectacular man. TouchedByThPoet profoundly mounted a defense of his desirable intellect, but I invite you, MichaelL, to check this out...Gabriel Byrne is internationally recognized as the thinking woman's sex symbol. Wonderfully charming with a great sense of humor, it is said by all - actors, directors, friends, fans, former loves - that he is also sweet, kind, polite and thoughtful. Well-read, articulate, erudite and eloquent, Gabriel Byrne has the temerity to be an awesome and loving father, too.

There's nothing more sexy than that.

Finally, I must set the record straight. While Gabriel Byrne's portrayal of dark and brooding characters is unmatched, brotha-man is NOT a bit brooding at all. Byrne's soft-spoken voice which sounds like honey on warm bread, combined with his broad Dublin accent, illicits immediate thoughts of pillow talk or a fireside snuggle as he reads sonnets or recites his vast recall of poetry. His infectious laugh complete with twinkling sapphire eyes, slays the soul. Juxtapose that against his fearless spirit of Irish kick-ass, Gabriel Byrne is the kind of man smart guys wish they could be, MichaelL. If you only knew how compelling his personal backstory is, you would never, ever again post a comment that suggests that Gabriel Byrne "plays" an intellectual. MichaelL, meet Gabriel Byrne....

http://www.rte.ie/2fm/ryanshow/rams/2006/byrne.smil