Thirst Trap: Latino/Hispanic Edition
32 of the sexiest Hombres Guapos in film and television
Updated 3/22/2022
This article is part of a continuing series that began with Too Black, Too Strong, where I lovingly objectify Black male actors. Similar to the one I wrote for Asian actors whose sexuality is often underplayed compared to white actors in leading roles. By contrast, casting for Latino actors is frequently oversexualized as man-candy with no respect for the law or hypervigilant to enforcing it. When you’re watching a beautiful man with a ripped physique step answer the door in a towel, it’s hard to focus on the negative or clichéd stereotypes.
The Crowd Pleasers
Let’s kick things off with our thirst-inducing faves from popular TV and blockbuster films. We are looking, respectfully.
1. PEDRO PASCAL
Chilean-American
I cannot believe they hid Pedro Pascal’s face behind a helmet for most of The Mandalorian and had us freaking the fuck out when he had to remove it. When Hasan Minhaj said that industry beauty standards for men of color were disproportionately high, not a lie was told. I mean, most of us were watching for baby Yoda anyway, but I still feel a little cheated.
2. OSCAR ISAAC
Guatemalan-Cuban-American
I think we can all agree that Óscar Issac Hernández Estrada is ever-y-thing. I meant that literally because it took me a minute to recognize him in almost every movie he was in. He never looks quite the same but always just as delicious. I just know he talks you through it.
3. SANTIAGO CABRERA
Chilean-American
Santiago Cabrera has been a problem for me since he played Isaac Mendez on the sci-fi series Heroes. Even his name is sexy af. Oh, to be the damp end of the cigar he rolls between those perfect lips as Captain Rios on Picard. Can you imagine coming to work just to be this motherfucking sexy? Ugh, it’s absolutely sickening.
4. MANNY MONTANA
Mexican-American
Anyone who doesn’t have Manny Montana on their list of hot Latinos has obviously never seen Good Girls, or they are just plain dumb. I’m not saying it was right for Beth to have restaurant bathroom sex with Rio while her husband was at the table, but I understand. I would let him bend me over any sink of his choosing.
5. GABRIEL LUNA
Mexican-American
Gabriel Luna would have been the first Latino superhero acting in a starring role. Unfortunately, his Ghost Rider series from Agents of SHIELD wasn’t killed in pre-production. Sounds like some bullshit to me. I wouldn’t mind watching him fight naked again as Gabriel/REV-9 from Terminator: Dark Fate either.
The Instagrammers
A genuine thirst trap poster stays on their grind. It’s a job that requires skill, dedication, and commitment. Here’s to the men who spend hours at the gym, stay active on social media, and, God bless them, seem practically incapable of keeping on a shirt.
6. AARON DIAZ
Mexican-American
When you are a model/actor/singer like Aaron Diaz, looking good is a whole way of life. After his season on Quantico (2016–2017), he returned to Mexico, where you might catch him kitesurfing, flyboarding, jet skiing, or horseback riding. You know, just the standard, everyday hot guy stuff.
7. ALEX GONZALES
Spanish
Alex Gonzalez is best known for playing Riptide in X-Men: First Class. They kinda did him dirty in that movie with that ’70s Wella Balsam hairdo because he is stunning. From the looks of his Instagram, I don’t think he’s taken a bad picture a single day in his life.
8. WILLIAM GUTIÉRREZ LEVY
Cuban
In 2011, William Levy graced the cover of People en Espanol’s Sexiest Men Alive issue. That same year, this golden-eyed Guapo appeared in J-Lo’s video for “I’m Into You.” Uhh, yeah. We’re into him too. If you find any of the nudes leaked when he was on Dancing with the Stars, be sure to send them my way.
9. DEIGO BONETA
Mexican
The only flaw I will ever ascribe to Rock of Ages is the many stellar performances that left Diego Boneta slightly in the dust. That same dreamy face and velvety voice landed him the titular role in the Netflix series Luis Miguel, a biopic about the multi-platinum Latino artist.
The Crime Fighters
All of these crime series have me feeling some kind of way. I was into them when they were new: Criminal Minds, SVU, NCIS — all the letters in the crime-fighting alphabet. Then they moved into every city across America, and now it feels like a mass conspiracy to maintain the status quo for a failing institution. Enough with all these uniforms. Give me a crime series with Latino men in designer suits, superhero costumes, or a pair of short-shorts.
10. ADAM RODRIGUEZ
American of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent
Adam Rodriguez may have solved crimes on CSI: Miami and Criminal Minds, but he was serving something other than warrants as Cookie’s love interest on Empire. And we haven’t forgotten those moving violations as Tito in the Magic Mike movies. He’s the perfect host for HBO’s Magic Mike competition/reality show.
11. DANNY PINO
Cuban-American
It’s nice to see Danny Pino reverting to a life of crime in FX’s Mayans MC, a spinoff from Sons of Anarchy, after playing detectives on Cold Case and Law & Order: SVU for nearly a decade. The bearded hotness in this photo is 🔥🔥🔥.
12. JAY HERNANDEZ
Mexican-American
Jay Hernandez is one of those character actors that will make you Google where you saw him in that thing. Currently, it would be the new Magnum, PI, the spinoff from the new Hawaii Five-O. In Suicide Squad, he’s covered in skull make-up, qualifying him for the Best-looking Actor Whose Face You Never See competition.
13. KEVIN ALEJANDRO
Mexican-American
I tried to nail down the number of times Kevin Alejandro has played a cop, a detective, or a federal agent, but the list is too exhaustive. I often feel sorry for him as Dan Espinoza, the lovable himbo and foil to the devil on Lucifer. But occasionally, he takes off his shirt, and I get other feelings.
14. WILMER VALDERRAMA
Spanish
First of all, Wilder Valderrama is fine as wine. But an iconic role like Fez from That 70s Show has got to be a blessing and a curse. I just know when watching NCIS, viewers are expecting Special Agent Nick Torres to say “Good day, sir!” any minute.
The Millenials
Is it me, or is the average Hollywood heartthrob skewing a bit older these days? I had to do some serious digging to find some thirst traps for the younger generations. Don’t judge me. I am doing a public service here, and I don’t discriminate by age.
15. ANTHONY RAMOS
American/Puerto Rican
I have it on good authority that Anthony Ramos’ curly hair and freckles will literally cause you to pass out if you get too close. If I say anything more, a friend of mine might get a call from the HR department. Thankfully, we can experience his magic at a safe distance in the film adaptations of Hamilton and In the Heights.
16. MICHAEL TREVINO
Mexican-American
Michael Trevino is the pretty boy who plays Kyle Valenti on the CW’s Roswell, New Mexico. I can see why he won the Teen Choice Award for “Choice TV Male Scene Stealer” as Tyler Lockwood in The Vampire Diaries in 2011 and 2012. Who else would you possibly be looking at?
17. JULIO MACIAS
Mexican-American
Julio Macias is best known for playing Oscar “Spooky” Diaz from the coming-of-age Netflix series On My Block. If it weren’t for those puppy dog eyes, you might not recognize him as Pete Astudillo sporting a full head of long, straight hair on Selena: The Series.
18. CARLOS VALDEZ
Colombian-American
I have always felt Carlos Valdes was the glue that tenuously held The Flash together as a series. Once Cisco Ramon/Vibe left the team, I couldn’t watch it anymore. He took a while to grow out of his baby face, but the hair has always been luxurious.
The Mavericks
I am terrible at keeping up with popular dramatic series or Oscar-contending movies. Mostly because I’m too busy watching all the Harry Potter movies again, like comfort food. If you’re not staying current, you may have missed some of these handsome faces. Join me as I update my watchlist and hang my head in shame.
19. LUIS GERARDO MENDEZ
Mexican
Luis Gerardo Mendez’s road-trip comedy Half Brothers with Connor Del Rio lived rent-free in my head rent-free for almost a year. Unfortunately, that year was 2020, when nobody really gave a shit. His production firm, Cine Vaquero, struck a deal with ViacomCBS International Studios/Paramount+Latin America, so hopefully, we’ll be seeing more of him.
20. DIEGO LUNA
Mexican
Diego Luna has racked up a range of credits in critically acclaimed films, like the 2001 Oscar favorite Y Tu Mamá También. You’ve most likely seen him in Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, or Narcos: Mexico. Rumor has it that Cassian Andor is getting his own story on Disney+, so get your popcorn and whatever viewing aids you may need ready.
21. GAEL GARCIA BERNAL
Mexican
Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna were childhood friends long before they starred together in Y Tu Mamá También. A BAFTA nominee, Golden Globe Winner, one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, and The New York Times 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century. Whew, Lord, just give him all the things.
22. EDGAR RAMIREZ
Venezuelan
One of People’s Sexiest Men of the year in 2020, Edgar Ramirez has received several award nominations for playing the subject of The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story and Carlos the Jackal in Carlos. This man is a beast. Whenever you see him in a movie, you know it’s about to go down.
The Trailblazers
I end my series by paying tribute to the OGs and Daddies, presented without commentary. Because if you’re Gen X or somewhere adjacent, you already know.
23. RICKY MARTIN
Puerto Rican
24. ANTONIO BANDERAS
Spanish
25. JIMMY SMITS
Puerto Rican-American
26. ANDY GARCIA
Cuban-American
27. MARK CONSUELOS
Mexican-Italian American citizen, born in Spain
28. RODRIGO SANTORO
Brazilian
29. JAVIER BARDEM
Spanish
30. BENJAMIN BRATT
Indigenous Quechua Peruvian-American
31. BENICIO del TORO
Puerto Rican
32. ESAI MORALES
Puerto Rican-American
This has been fun, but man, have I learned a ton about Latino and Hispanic actors. I thought Lou Diamond Phillips was Latino my whole entire life, and that dude is 100% Filipino. He did that in Young Guns and La Bamba, though. I also added the word “Guapo” to my thirst trap lexicon. Who knew so many of these actors were of Mexican descent? They are definitely sending us their best! Until next time, stay thirsty, my friends!
