From suspender-strapped Urkel to New Girl's "adorkable" Jess, here are the hottest nerds in TV and film.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
1
Ross Geller - "Friends"
Getty Images
David Schwimmer as Ross is nothing but lovable (and goofy) in one of TV's greatest comedy series. And with a Ph.D from Columbia University, he's the hottest nerd in NYC.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
2
Steve Urkel - "Family Matters"
Getty Images
With his thick glasses, high-pitched voiced and strapped-in suspenders, Urkel, played by Jaleel White, is the epitome of a geek. And who can forget when Steve turned into the smoldering Stefan?
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3
Leonard Hofstadter - "The Big Bang Theory"
Getty Images
Portrayed by Johnny Galecki, this experimental physicist is known for his awkward charm and geek-ish, Clark Kent-like glasses. If only he loved us like he loves Penny…
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4
Ned - "Pushing Daisies"
Getty Images
Actor Lee Pace played Ned ("The Pie Maker") on the hit ABC television series, Pushing Daisies. One thing's for sure — with his unique ability to bring people back from the dead, he could revive us any day.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5
Abby Sciuto - "NCIS"
Getty Images
Pauley Perrette portrays this goth forensic scientist with the edgiest neck tattoo in television: a spider web. It almost makes us want one. Almost.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
6
J.D. - "Scrubs"
Getty Images
J.D. (or John Michael Dorian), played by Zach Braff, does a great job as his dual role of protagonist and narrator on Scrubs. With a tendency to get lost in thought, he's the dreamiest doctor-nerd we've ever seen.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7
Brian Johnson - "The Breakfast Club "
Getty Images
Anthony Michael Hall portrays the honest, admittedly sensitive, shy teen who stole our hearts from the moment he walked into Shermer High School. We wouldn't mind spending a Saturday in detention with him around.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
8
Liz Lemon - "30 Rock"
Getty Images
We're just going to leave it at this: Tina as a geek is, perhaps, the best Tina of all.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9
Dr. Spencer Reid - "Criminal Minds"
Getty Images
Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) graduated high school at age 12, so it's safe to say this special agent is a genius. One of his best lines? "I find that I do some of my best work under intense terror."
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
10
Carlton Banks - "Fresh Prince of Belair"
Getty Images
You've seen him dance. You've seen him sing. You've seen him wear dorky sweater vests. But Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) will forever be one of Belair's finest.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11
Jess - "New Girl"
Getty Images
Quirks by the buckets, Jess (Zoey Deschanel) is undeniably nutty but notably wonderful just the same.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
12
Jack Hodgins - "Bones"
Getty Images
There's seemingly nothing Jack (T.J. Thyne) can't do. He's a forensic entomologist, botanist, mineralogist and the list goes on. With a weird obsession with conspiracy theories, this rather sarcastic, always-handsome guy is quite the character.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13
Will Hunting - "Good Will Hunting"
Getty Images
Matt Damon as Will Hunting makes for the most dreamy self-taught genius/janitor in all of history. The 1997 film, also starring the late Robin Williams, chronicles Will's journey with therapy, love and confronting a troubled past.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
14
Ronald Miller - "Can't Buy Me Love"
Getty Images
Patrick Dempsey makes us swoon in this 80's classic (when does he not?). It just goes to show that a nerd can steal the heart of any unlikely girl — even a high school cheerleader.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15
Willow Rosenberg - "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
Getty Images
Willow's intelligence and shy nature made her as lovable as she was relatable. Throughout the show she develops into a complex character, showing just how far smarts can take you.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
16
Phil "Duckie" Dale - "Pretty in Pink"
Getty Images
Jon Cryer nails his role as the love-struck, hopelessly awkward Duckie. We adore his wild romanticism, his goofiness and his undeniably interesting taste in fashion.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17
Jim Levenstein - "American Pie"
Getty Images
Jim (Jason Biggs) is a quirky teen whose only goals are to avoid embarrassment and — like any inexperienced pubescent boy — to lose his virginity. He sure did make the end of the '90s a whole lot funnier. (And maybe more awkward, too.)
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
18
Cameron James - "10 Things I Hate About You"
Getty Images
Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays the new kid at Padua High School. Although he's sweet — nothing like bad-boy Patrick or popular pretty-faced Joey — and never seems to get the girl, we'd give him our hearts any day.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19
Rory Gilmore - "Gilmore Girls"
Getty Images
When she doesn't have her head in a book, Rory (Alexis Bledel) is, naturally, keeping Lorelai in check. Stars Hollow-raised, she is as beautiful as she is brilliant.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
20
Louise Miller - "Teen Witch"
Robyn Lively plays our favorite high school misfit/teenage witch. She comes to find that popularity is not all it's made up to be — even with the help of magic. But who can forget that ending?