Best of the decade: Male Pop Icon

In this decade, weird guy Johnny Depp transformed into one of the greatest actors of his generation.

Jay-Z created a dynasty. Justin Timberlake brought sexy back. Funnyman Seth Rogen (with a Yogi Bear physique) became an A-lister.

And the late Heath Ledger gave us a twisted Joker interpretation that was spine-chilling perfection.

Typically, Hollywood's finest men don't get into as much scandal as women. But we can thank Tiger Woods and Kanye West for being exceptions to that.

The most successful and visible male pop icons of the decade

1.

Johnny Depp

He's perhaps one of the most versatile actors of his day. Depp got his start in the 1980s with the TV series “21 Jump Street,” and in the 1990s pursued weightier roles, such as “Edward Scissorhands,” “Benny & Joon” and “What's Eating Gilbert Grape?” By 2000, he became one of the most sought-after actors, starring in “Chocolat,” followed by “Blow,” “From Hell” and “Once Upon a Time in Mexico.” In 2004, Depp turned in a critically acclaimed performance in “Finding Neverland,” earning him more than 10 award nominations. But it was his role earlier that year that launched a mega-hit franchise: “Pirates of the Caribbean.” People Magazine named him “Sexiest Man Alive” twice this decade, and he's topped Entertainment Weekly's “Best of the Decade.”

2.

Justin Timberlake

After he ditched his blond locks, late 1990s boy band ‘N Sync and Britney Spears, Timberlake's success soared. He's won six Grammy Awards as well as two Emmy Awards. In 2002, he released his debut solo album, “Justified,” which sold more than 7 million copies worldwide. He made America blush during the 2004 Super Bowl, when he accidentally ripped Janet Jackson's top, creating the infamous “wardrobe malfunction.” In 2006, his success continued with “FutureSex/LoveSounds,” debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

3.

Will Smith

He rose to fame in the late 1980s in the television series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” His most notable films include “Bad Boys,” “Independence Day,” “Men in Black,” “Ali,” “I, Robot,” “The Pursuit of Happyness,” “I Am Legend,” “Hancock,” and “Seven Pounds.” He's the only actor in history to have eight consecutive films gross over $100 million in the domestic box office as well as being the only actor to have eight consecutive films open at No. 1 on the domestic box office as a lead actor.

4.

Heath Ledger

The Aussie actor was adorable in the 1999 film “10 Things I Hate About You.” He wowed us in the early 2000s with “The Patriot,” “Monster's Ball” and “A Knight's Tale.” We knew he was destined for greatness with his award-winning performance in “Brokeback Mountain” in 2005. And then Ledger gave us flawless acting, depth and passion in the Batman blockbuster “The Dark Knight.” His tragic death from an accidental drug overdose cast a shadow over the subsequent promotion of the $180 million production.

5.

Tiger Woods

He single-handedly made golf cool by being the best at it. Woods was the highest-paid professional athlete in 2008, having earned an estimated $110 million from winnings and endorsements. He's won 14 professional major golf championships and 71 PGA Tour events. He has more career major wins and career PGA Tour wins than any other active golfer. He's recently made tabloid news for wrecking his vehicle, a running list of multiple affairs and a public split from his wife.

6.

Jay-Z

He's one of the most financially successful hip-hop artists and entrepreneurs, having a net worth of more than $150 million, selling more than 30 million copies of his albums in the United States alone. The Grammy Award winner co-owns New York's The 40/40 Club and the NBA's New Jersey Nets and is also the creator of the clothing line Rocawear. His dynasty started as the former CEO of Def Jam Recordings, one of the founders of Roc-A-Fella Records and recently, the founder of Roc Nation. He currently holds the record for the most No. 1 albums by a solo artist on the Billboard 200. He's beefed with rapper Nas, married pop star Beyoncé Knowles and continues to produce hit jams.

7.

Seth Rogen

He's probably the most unlikely A-lister mingling at red carpet events. We first spotted the Canadian actor in the short-lived TV show “Freaks and Geeks.” He turned to film, where he received critical praise for movies such as “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Knocked Up.”

8.

Kanye West

He has accumulated 12 Grammys and been ranked among the “Top 50 Hip-Hop Producers.” In 2008, he was crowned by MTV as No. 1 “Hottest MC in the Game.” But mostly we watch Kanye for his off-beat comments: he has spoken out against homophobia in hip-hop and, basically, called former President George W. Bush a racist. He has freaked out several times at award shows and concerts, but none stood out more than this year's MTV Video Music Awards. Kanye hopped on stage and snatched the microphone from Taylor Swift's hand to proclaim that Beyoncé should have won.

9.

Tom Cruise

He was the go-to Hollywood hunk actor of the late 1980s and ‘90s. But somewhere along the way, his career crashed. He divorced actress wife Nicole Kidman in 2001. In 2005, he began dating the much-younger Katie Holmes, whom he had a child with and later married. Also in 2005, he criticized Brooke Shields, defended his belief in Scientology and jumped on Oprah's couch. In 2006, several magazines, including Premiere and Forbes, ranked Cruise as Hollywood's most powerful actor. But a USA Today-Gallup poll registered him as an “unfavorable” actor for his “unacceptable behavior.”

10.

Spider-Man

“The Dark Knight” may be the biggest- grossing movie, but Marvel Comics' Spider-Man was a superhero in tights we could dig. He was always about the girl and the everyday hero we were looking for, unlike the dark and mysterious Batman.

(Sources: Pop culture experts Karen Bard of eBay and Rob Weiner of Texas Tech University)

Nebraska's pop-icon

Joba Chamberlain

A Lincoln boy who became a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees. Chamberlain started his college career playing for the University of Nebraska at Kearney before transferring to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He helped lead Nebraska to its first-ever College World Series win in 2005, going 10-2 with a 2.81 ERA for the year. He was drafted 41st overall by the New York Yankees in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. Chamberlain's team contribution helped the Yankees win the 2009 World Series championship.

Others who almost made the list:

George Clooney

After leaving hit TV hospital series “ER,” he starred in major Hollywood successes.

Jon Stewart

Starting with Indecision 2000 on “The Daily Show,” Stewart began transforming absurdity and outrage into relevance.

Brad Pitt

One of the world's most attractive men and brilliant actors.

Donald Trump

American business magnate, socialite, author and television personality with the greatest hair comb-over of all-time.

Ashton Kutcher

He's best known for his ditzy character Michael Kelso on “That '70s Show.” He also produced and starred in his own MTV show, “Punk'd.”

Zac Efron

Disney's “High School Musical” sweetheart.

Hugh Jackman

He's most well-known for his role as Wolverine in the “X-Men” series.

Eminem

One of the best hip-hop lyricists; his second album, “The Marshall Mathers LP,” became the fastest-selling hip-hop album in history.

Bono

The world's best-known philanthropic performer.

Mick Jagger

In 2007, Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones made $437 million on their “A Bigger Bang” tour, which got them into the current edition of Guinness World Records for the most lucrative music tour.

Barack Obama

The first African-American to hold the office of president of the United States and a Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Kenny Chesney

Country mega-star hit-maker who is one of the genre's most popular touring acts.

Lance Armstrong

Cyclist who has won the Tour de France a record-breaking seven consecutive years, from 1999 to 2005.

Lil Wayne

Grammy Award-winning rapper, formerly of rap group Hot Boys, and possibly the most sought-after hip-hop artist alive.

George W. Bush

Became one of the most controversial public figures as the 43rd president of the United States.

Michael Phelps

The greatest swimmer and Olympian of all time, winning 14 career Olympic gold medals and breaking 37 world records in swimming.

Robert Pattinson

Star of the mega-hit “Twilight” movies.

David Beckham

A sexy British soccer player and fashion icon who moved to the U.S.

Jamie Foxx

Gave us award-winning performances with “Ray,” “Dream Girls” and the “Soloist” and now is singing R&B jams.

Male pop icons through the decades:

1950s: James Dean

1960s: Elvis Presley

1970s: Burt Reynolds

1980s: Tom Cruise

1990s: Michael Jackson

2000s: Johnny Depp

Contact the writer:

444-1075, j.loza@owh.com

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