The 2009 AfterElton Hot 100: Men Over 40

4. Hugh Jackman

Photo credit: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

Your number four man was just barely eligible to compete in this list as he only turned forty back in October. But Hugh had a, well, huge year, so it's no surprise he came in so high. His natural beauty was the high point of the lackluster Australia, and while he was a surprising pick to host the Academy Awards, he proved the naysayers wrong with a spirited and self-effacing performance.

To cap it off he starred in the blockbuster X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and showed off a ripped and sculpted physique.

But what really makes Hugh so hot is his support for the gay community, which was demonstrated recently on the Oprah Winfrey Show in a discussion about marriage equality. Hugh examined it from an historical point of view:

All through history there's been, 'Okay let's not have Catholics and Protestants marry', 'Let's not have people of different races marry' ... Why don't we talk about love and how that's the most important thing in marriage? I've been married for 13 years and marriage takes work and that's the important issue.

Okay, Hugh, you've officially stolen our adamantium hearts.

5. George Clooney

Perennial favorite George may be the oldest man in the top five, at forty-eight, but like Carrie says on Sex and the City "George is like a Chanel suit ... he never goes out of style."

George has kept a relatively low profile this year, with no major films and just the campaign for Barack Obama to keep him in the spotlight. But this is one Chanel suit we never tire of putting on when we need to feel warm and fuzzy.

6. Daniel Craig

7. Christopher Meloni

8. Johnny Depp

9. Rob Lowe

10. Robert Gant