Marie Claire's 1st-Annual March Dadness Tournament
A bracket we can get behind
Let's get ready to rumble, shall we?
It's March, which means people are Mad for Things. Mostly basketball, but here in the Marie Claire office our minds are elsewhere. Perhaps you have recently noticed Prince Charles' cracking bod? Or Barack Obama's mood of a bomber jacket? Oh yes. We have too. Though we occasionally obsess over PYTs (we are the home of This Week in Timothée Chalamet, after all), for the next two-and-a-half weeks, we'll be meticulously thirsting over Dads. Join us, won't you?
Totally savvy with the whole bracket thing? Click here to start voting. Otherwise, read on.
Here's how it works:
First, we found 64 hot dads for you. (You're welcome.) To keep the list consistent, we had to introduce strict parameters. Things got a little heated here at Marie Claire headquarters, and several snacks had to be mercilessly eliminated for not yet being 40 (sorry, Drake!) or not actually being, you know, someone's father (sorry, Chiwetel Ejiofor!).
Next, we painstakingly divided these sexy papas into four "regions." Sure in the NCAA these "regions" are actually regions (East, South, West, Midwest), but rather than be directional we decided to be attributional, grouping these men by the thing about them that gives us the tinglies, like an amazing head of hair or eloquent wordsmithery. Rather than actually seed the men (the NCAA people have, like, a whole weekend to do this!), we randomly sorted each list in Excel—it only seemed fair! They're all such daddies!
Now, these sires will face-off in a head-to-gorgeous-head competition. You vote for who's swoon-worthier, and the winner moves on to the next round, and the next, until eventually on Tuesday, April 9, we crown THE DADDY.
Vote for the Champion!
Idris Elba vs. Simon Baker
It's been a long road to the finals, and a lot of worthy Dads were knocked out to arrive at these two smoldering papas. Let's reminisce about how we got here.
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Idris Defeated: Ryan Reynolds, Pierce Brosnan, Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig, and Stellan Skarsgard
Simon Took Down: George Clooney, Patrick Dempsey, Bradley Cooper, Blair Underwood, and Mark Harmon
But who will win it all?
Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday April 9!
Previous Rounds
The Hair-Os Vs. Deep Thinkers
High manetenance or high-minded?
Simon Baker, 49 Vs. George Clooney, 57
Winner: Simon Baker
Hot Accents Vs. The Funnymen
What matters most: the words or what ze words sound like?
Idris Elba, 46 vs. Ryan Reynolds, 42
Winner: Idris Elba
Patrick Dempsey, 53 vs. Simon Baker, 49
Which head of hair reigns supreme?
Winner: Simon Baker
George Clooney, 57 vs. Barack Obama, 57
Who turns you on with his mind?
Winner: George Clooney
Pierce Brosnan, 65 vs. Idris Elba, 46
Who could read the phone book and still sound sexy?
Winner: Idris Elba
Steve Carell, 56 vs. Ryan Reynolds, 42
Which man makes you laugh so hard, a little pee comes out?
Winner: Ryan Reynolds
Matt Bomer, 41 vs. Patrick Dempsey, 53
Baby blues or salt-and-pepper sprinkling?
Winner: Patrick Dempsey
Simon Baker, 49 vs. Bradley Cooper, 44
Blonde curls or brunette waves?
Winner: Simon Baker
George Clooney, 57 vs. Matthew McConaughey, 49
Villa in Lake Como or Airstream in West Texas?
Winner: George Clooney
Denzel Washington, 61 vs. Barack Obama, 57
Coach Boone or Mr. President?
Winner: Barack Obama
Jude Law, 46 vs. Pierce Brosnan, 65
Young pope or middle-aged bond?
Winner: Pierce Brosnan
Hugh Jackman, 50 vs. Idris Elba, 46
X-Men or Avengers?
Winner: Idris Elba
John Legend, 40 vs. Steve Carell, 56
Love in the Future or Crazy Stupid Love?
Winner: Steve Carell
Paul Rudd, 49 vs. Ryan Reynolds, 42
Wet, Hot American Summer or Van Wilder?
Winner: Ryan Reynolds
John Legend, 40 vs. Matt Damon, 48
Legend Stats
Kids: 2
Sign: Capricorn
Awards Won: All of them. (Literally.)
Damon Stats
Kids: 4
Sign: Libra
Funniest Role: Brett Kavanaugh, SNL
Winner: John Legend
Steve Carell, 56 vs. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, 46
Carell Stats
Kids: 2
Sign: Leo
Role With a Gif for Everything: Michael Scott, The Office
Johnson Stats
Kids: 3
Sign: Taurus
Height/Weight: 6'5" / 260 lbs.
Winner: Steve Carell
Dennis Quaid, 64 vs. Paul Rudd, 49
Quaid Stats
Kids: 3
Sign: Aries
Daddest Role: Nick Parker, The Parent Trap
Rudd Stats
Kids: 2
Sign: Aries
Role He Will Forever Be, in Our Hearts: Josh, Clueless
Winner: Paul Rudd
Ryan Reynolds, 42 vs. Neil Patrick Harris, 45
Reynolds Stats
Kids: 2
Sign: Scorpio
Year Named Sexiest Man Alive: 2010
Harris Stats
Kids: 2
Sign: Gemini
Emmys Won: 5
Winner: Ryan Reynolds
Orlando Bloom, 42 vs. Jude Law, 46
Bloom Stats
Kids: 1
Sign: Capricorn
Lord of the Rings Movies: 3
Law Stats
Kids: 5
Sign: Capricorn
Daddest Role: Graham, The Holiday
Winner: Jude Law
Pierce Brosnan, 65 vs. Ricky Martin, 47
Brosnan Stats
Kids: 5
Sign: Taurus
Mamma Mia Movies: 2
Martin Stats
Kids: 3
Sign: Capricorn
Albums Sold as a Solo Artist: 70 million
Winner: Pierce Brosnan
Hugh Jackman, 50 vs. Colin Firth, 58
Jackman Stats
Kids: 2
Sign: Libra
Hairiest Role: Wolverine
Firth Stats
Kids: 3
Sign: Virgo
Role He Will Forever Be, in Our Hearts: Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice
Winner: Hugh Jackman
Idris Elba, 46 vs. Daniel Craig, 51
Elba Stats
Kids: 2
Sign: Virgo
Sexiest Role: All of them.
Craig Stats
Kids: 1
Sign: Pisces
James Bonds Who Have Come Before Him: 6
Winner: Idris Elba
George Clooney, 57 vs. Oscar Isaac, 40
Clooney Stats
Kids: 2
Sign: Taurus
Tequila Companies Owned: 1
Isaac Stats
Kids: 1
Sign: Pisces
Sexiest Character Name: Llewyn Davis
Winner: George Clooney
Matthew McConaughey, 49 vs. Dave Matthews, 52
McConaughey Stats
Kids: 3
Sign: Scorpio
Most Thought-Provoking Line: Time is a flat circle
Matthews Stats
Kids: 3
Sign: Capricorn
Albums That Soundtracked Your Life: 9
Winner: Matthew McConaughey
Jeff Goldblum, 66 vs. Denzel Washington, 61
Goldblum Stats
Kids: 2
Sign: Libra
Most Underrated Film Appearance: Earth Girls Are Easy
Washington Stats
Kids: 4
Sign: Capricorn
Oscars Won: 2
Winner: Denzel Washington
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, 52 vs. Barack Obama, 57
Morgan Stats
Kids: 2
Sign: Taurus
Most Undead Role: Denny, Grey's Anatomy
Obama Stats
Kids: 2
Sign: Leo
U.S. Presidents Who Preceded Him: 43
Winner: Barack Obama
Justin Trudeau, 47 vs. Matt Bomer, 41
Trudeau Stats
Kids: 3
Sign: Capricorn
Countries Run: 1
Bommer Stats
Kids: 3
Sign: Libra
Magic Mike Appearances: 2
Winner: Matt Bomer
Patrick Dempsey, 53 vs. Mark Ruffalo, 51
Dempsey Stats
Kids: 3
Sign: Capricorn
Years of McDreamyness: 10
Ruffalo Stats
Kids: 3
Sign: Sagittarius
Best Rom-Com Role: Matt, 13 Going on 30
Winner: Patrick Dempsey
Blair Underwood, 54 vs. Simon Baker, 49
Underwood Stats
Kids: 3
Sign: Virgo
Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word Album: 1
Baker Stats
Kids: 3
Sign: Leo
Sexiest Role: Christian Thompson, The Devil Wears Prada
Winner: Simon Baker
Bradley Cooper, 44 vs. David Beckham, 43
Cooper Stats
Kids: 1
Sign: Capricorn
Smoldering Oscars Performances: 1
Beckham Stats
Kids: 4
Sign: Taurus
Goals Scored: 129
Winner: Bradley Cooper
Ryan Phillippe, 44 vs. Blair Underwood, 54
What Team Ryan Is Saying: Whatever your intentions, we're fine with them.
What Team Blair Is Saying: The thinking woman’s dad.
Winner: Blair Underwood
Simon Baker, 49 vs. Mark Harmon, 67
What Team Simon Is Saying: Would pat-a-cake this Baker, man.
What Team Harmon Is Saying: NCIS = Notice: Comrade Is Smokin’
Winner: Simon Baker
John Stamos, 55 vs. Bradley Cooper, 44
What Team Stamos Is Saying: Have mercy.
What Team Bradley Is Saying: There can be 100 people in a room, and 99 of them won’t be able to handle how hot Bradley Cooper is.
Winner: Bradley Cooper
Brad Pitt, 55 vs. David Beckham, 43
What Team Brad Is Saying: Hello, it’s MF-ing Brad Pitt!
What Team David Is Saying: Would bend it for Beckham any day.
Winner: David Beckham
Jeff Goldblum, 66 vs. Bobby Cannavale, 48
What Team Goldblum Is Saying: Alarmingly sexy for several decades.
What Team Bobby Is Saying: I love a dad with an accent, even if that accent is New Jersey.
Winner: Jeff Goldblum
Denzel Washington, 61 vs. Beto O'Rourke, 46
What Team Denzel Is Saying: Man on Fire is right. *heart eyes*
What Team Beto Is Saying: He was just born to be in it.
Winner: Denzel Washington
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, 52 vs. Christian Bale, 45
What Team Jeffrey Is Saying: Could be a ghost. Would still love him.
What Team Christian Is Saying: Take me into the dark knight.
Winner: Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Daniel Day Lewis, 61 vs. Barack Obama, 57
What Team Daniel Is Saying: Method Daddy.
What Team Obama Is Saying: President of the Daddies.
Winner: Barack Obama
Javier Bardem, 50 vs. Hugh Jackman, 50
What Team Bardem Is Saying: Lo queremos.
What Team Jackman Is Saying: G'day mate.
Winner: Hugh Jackman
Liam Neeson, 66 vs. Colin Firth, 58
What Team Neeson Is Saying: Wouldn’t mind being taken by him.
What Team Colin Is Saying: What a girl wants.
Winner: Colin Firth
Stellan Skarsgard, 67 vs. Idris Elba, 46
What Team Stellan Is Saying: Amazing genes.
What Team Idris Is Saying: Why are we even having this competition? Just give it to Idris already.
Winner: Idris Elba
Daniel Craig, 51 vs. Emmanuel Macron, 41
What Team Daniel Is Saying: Double Oh isn't just his spy name...
What Team Macron Is Saying: Vive la France.
Winner: Daniel Craig
Dennis Quaid, 64 vs. Vince Vaughn, 48
What Team Dennis Is Saying: Would trap this parent.
What Team Vince Is Saying: How could anyone ever break up with him?
Winner: Dennis Quaid
Jon Stewart, 56 vs. Paul Rudd, 49
What Team Jon Is Saying: No longer on our TVs daily, but in our hearts every day.
What Team Paul Is Saying: *Gasp* I love Josh!
Winner: Paul Rudd
Ryan Reynolds, 42 vs. Tom Hanks, 62
What Team Ryan Is Saying: Blake Lively = Luckiest Woman Alive
What Team Tom Is Saying: The Dad of America itself.
Winner: Ryan Reynolds
Neil Patrick Harris, 45 vs. Mark Hoppus, 47
What Team NPH Is Saying: Can make even the name Barney sexy.
What Team Mark Is Saying: Dad???
Winner: Neil Patrick Harris
Justin Trudeau, 47 vs. Mick Jagger, 75
What Team Trudeau Is Saying: Oh, Canada. Where do we file our emigration papers?
What Team Mick Is Saying: The man has eight children. There's a reason.
Winner: Justin Trudeau
Matt Bomer, 41 vs. Tyrese, 40
What Team Matt Is Saying: Would bome.
What Team Tyrese Is Saying: No hair, don't care.
Winner: Matt Bomer
Patrick Dempsey, 53 vs. Lenny Kravitz, 54
What Team Patrick Is Saying: Always thought McDreamy was pretty McSteamy too.
What Team Kravitz Is Saying: We all remember the leather pants.
Winner: Patrick Dempsey
Ted Danson, 71 vs. Mark Ruffalo, 51
What Team Ted Is Saying: Founding member of Anderson Cooper’s Silver Fox club.
What Team Mark Is Saying: Noah Centineo’s rumored father.
Winner: Mark Ruffalo
Chris Martin, 42, vs. Oscar Isaac, 40
What Team Chris Is Saying: Sparks. Would consciously couple.
What Team Oscar Is Saying: Will watch Star Wars for Oscar Issac.
Winner: Oscar Isaac
Tony Goldwyn, 58 vs. George Clooney, 57
What Team Tony Is Saying: The only president we'll take orders from.
What Team George Is Saying: The definition of a fine wine.
Winner: George Clooney
Matthew McConaughey, 49 vs. Sterling K. Brown, 42
What Team Matthew Is Saying: We'd never try to lose you, Benny Boo Boo.
What Team Sterling Is Saying: Get yourself a man who can make you laugh and cry.
Winner: Matthew McConaughey
Dave Matthews, 52 vs. Jay-Z, 49
What Team Dave Is Saying: Crash into me please.
What Team Jay-Z Is Saying: He’s got 99 problems but being *fire* isn’t one.
Winner: Dave Matthews
Orlando Bloom, 42 vs. Benedict Cumberbatch, 42
What Team Orlando Is Saying: Maybe even hotter with those Lord of the Rings ears. Just sayin'.
What Team Benedict Is Saying: We'll always Cumber-back to you, baby.
Winner: Orlando Bloom
Hugh Laurie, 59 vs. Jude Law, 46
What Team Hugh Is Saying: Is Dr. House available for a physical?
What Team Jude Is Saying: Oh hey, Jude.
Winner: Jude Law
Pierce Brosnan, 65 vs. Hugh Grant, 58
What Team Pierce Is Saying: A piece of art worth stealing.
What Team Hugh Is Saying: Our golden oldie.
Winner: Pierce Brosnan
Prince Charles, 70 vs. Ricky Martin, 47
What Team Charles Is Saying: The royal jewels are just a bonus.
What Team Ricky Is Saying: Heard ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’ 20 years ago; have never been the same.
Winner: Ricky Martin
Will Smith, 50 vs. John Legend, 40
What Team Smith Is Saying: Still fresh, Big Willy.
What Team John Is Saying: All of me loves all of you—and your wife, Chrissy Teigen.
Winner: John Legend
Andy Cohen, 50 vs. Matt Damon, 48
What Team Andy Is Saying: Bravo, Andy. Bravo.
What Team Damon Is Saying: We still like them apples.
Winner: Matt Damon
Jason Sudeikis, 43 vs. Steve Carell, 56
What Team Jason Is Saying: Would flee to The Cleve for him.
What Team Steve Is Saying: You can manage this office, Mr. Carell.
Winner: Steve Carell
Chris Rock, 54 vs. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, 46
What Team Chris Is Saying: Laughing, crying, drooling.
What Team Dwayne Is Saying: Big heart, bigger biceps.
Winner: The Rock
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
Danielle McNally is a National Magazine Award–winning journalist. She is the executive editor of Marie Claire, overseeing features across every topic of importance to the MC reader: beauty, fashion, politics, culture, career, women's health, and more. She has previously written for Cosmopolitan, DETAILS, SHAPE, and Food Network Magazine.
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