30. Sela Ward, 52

The benchmark for sexy older women of television, Ward combines a seductive appeal with maturity. She got her start in commercials and their success prompted a move to California to pursue acting. She landed her first film role in the Burt Reynolds vehicle, The Man Who Loved Women. A number of TV appearances followed, but Ward made her mark as the alcoholic Teddy Reed on Sisters, for which she received her first Emmy award. Her second Emmy came for the role of Lily Brooks Manning on the series Once and Again. Lately she had a recurring role in the Fox dramatic series House as Stacy Warner. Somewhat appropriate for this list, she developed and produced a documentary, The Changing Face of Beauty, about American obsession with youth and its effect on women. The documentary was reportedly developed after Ward was passed over for a Bond girl role.

29. Marcia Cross, 46

The best looking Desperate Housewife, at least of the ones who qualify for this list (and no Teri Hatcher is not sexier). She original gained fame for her role as Dr. Kimberly Shaw on the prime-time soap opera Melrose Place. Of course, she’s mainly recognized now for starring as Bree Van De Kamp Hodge on the hit TV show Desperate Housewives. In between, Cross made guest appearances on a number of series, you might remember her as Pimple Popper M.D. on Seinfeld.  Plus, she’s a redhead, so she gets bonus points for that.  And she somehow gave birth to twins just shy of age 45.  That just mystifies me, but in a good way.

28. Sophie Marceau, 42

The French actress debuted at age 14 in her native land and became an instant success. It led not only to further films roles, but also a singing career. After success in France, Marceau made waves in America as Princess Isabelle in Mel Gibson’s Braveheart. She again appeared in a major U.S. film when she played the Bond girl Elektra King in The World Is Not Enough. Although she mainly works overseas, Marceau’s beauty can’t be ignored on this list.  And you can probably have a few naughty French maid fantasies about her to tide you over between American films.

27. Vanessa Williams, 45

Miss America 1984, she initially was caught up in controversy when news leaked that she posed for nude photographs that depicted mild overtones of simulated lesbian sex. After a period out of the spotlight, Williams started a successful music career which opened up a number of movie and television roles. Those roles have culminated with Williams playing former magazine creative director turned editor-in-chief Wilhelmina Slater in Ugly Betty. Her performance in that role has garnered critical acclaim and and an Emmy nomination.  And her piercing blue eyes and curves garner her critical acclaim on this list.

26. Jeri Ryan, 40

Ryan ping-ponged between TV shows until she was cast to play Seven of Nine, a Borg drone freed from the collective on the science fiction series Star Trek: Voyager. After Voyager ended, she joined the cast of Boston Public, then The O.C., and most recently the legal drama Shark until its cancellation. Ryan’s other brush with fame came when her ex-husband, Jack Ryan, ran for the U.S. Senate against a young unknown named Barack Obama. The press dug up divorce records which stated that Ryan had accused her husband of asking her to perform sexual acts with him in public, and in sex clubs in New York, New Orleans, and Paris. The disclosures ultimately led to Jack Ryan withdrawing from the race.  No matter, those accusations combined with an exquisite smile and seemingly naughty attitude make her perfect for this list.

25. Nicole Kidman, 41

Born in the United States, but raised in Australia, the Aussie became a household name by marrying Tom Cruise, whom she met on the set of Days of Thunder. Soon Kidman started to make a name on her own with critically acclaimed performances such as in To Die For. She was also appearing in mainstream fare like Batman Forever. Her career went to another level upon her separation from Cruise with the twin successes of Moulin Rouge! and The Others. The former earned her an Oscar nomination. She would go on to win the statue a year later for her work in The Hours.  Maybe it was escaping Tom Cruise or maybe it was fate, but Kidman’s achieved that sexy Hollywood icon status.

24. Gina Gershon, 46

Gershon is regarded as something of a gay icon due in part to her roles in movies such as Bound (with #31 Jennifer Tilly), where she plays a lesbian, and Showgirls, a true camp classic. It also doesn’t hurt that she has sultry good looks and has made frequent nude appearances. Her biggest commercial success was the John Woo action flick Face/Off. This year Gershon gained notoriety for appearing in a pair of videos parodying Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, titled “Gina Gershon Strips Down Sarah Palin” and “Gina Gershon Does Sarah Palin 2“.  And no matter what, she’s always have those great lips.

23. Maria Bello, 41

Bello initially intended to become a lawyer, but took acting class during her senior year and was soon cast in small off-Broadway plays. The plays led to a few guest roles on TV, and the guest roles led to movies, including Payback and Coyote Ugly. She would later be twice nominated for a Golden Globe: in 2003 for Best Supporting Actress in The Cooler and in 2005 for Best Actress in A History of Violence. In 2008 Bello starred in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor as Eve O’Connell.  Recently Bello took up surfing, which helps her maintain her nice body and her lusty soccer mom image.

22. Kate Walsh, 41

Walsh began as a model in Japan during the 1980s, and moved over to television upon her return to the United States. She appeared in a number of short-lived shows with the occasional guest spot on a more successful series. That all changed when she was cast as Dr. Addison Montgomery in Grey’s Anatomy. Her character was spun-off into a new series titled Private Practice. Lately she’s appeared in a few motion pictures such as the family comedy Kicking & Screaming and as a lesbian in Under the Tuscan Sun. There’s pretty much nothing that she doesn’t look sexy in.

21. Elizabeth Shue, 45

A Harvard graduate, Shue got her start by acting in television commercials. You may remember her from ads for Burger King, DeBeers Diamonds, or Hellman’s Mayonnaise. She co-starred in The Karate Kid and later appeared in Cocktail as the love interest of Tom Cruise. Her most mainstream appearances, however, were in Back to the Future Part II and Back to the Future Part III playing Jennifer Parker. Although often recognized for her girl next door image, Shue earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress by portraying a prostitute in Leaving Las Vegas.  She’s smart and sexy, and unbelievable to think she’s already forty-five.

Continue reading for the top 20……

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