Now & Then: Heartthrobs through the years

THEN: James Dean


All women love a bad boy, and James was the poster boy. The "Rebel without a Cause" star's iconic status was cemented with his role as high school student Jim Stark. His tragic death at an early age, along with his three starring film roles, guaranteed his enduring fame as a cultural icon.

NOW: Robert Pattinson


Sexy, brooding vampires are all the rage now, which means Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward Cullen in the "Twilight" franchise, is plastered all over the walls of pre-teens' bedrooms worldwide (and secretly admired by their mothers). His costar, Taylor Lautner, may give Pattinson a run for his money and pin-up status when the second film, "New Moon," hits theatres this fall, giving girls a glimpse at the 17-year-old's newly crunched abs. Two hotties really just means twice the swooning.

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