leading man
Hero on screen
A leading man is the principal male actor in a film, play, or television production—the one who plays the romantic hero or protagonist.
The term implies not just top billing but a certain type: conventionally handsome, charismatic, capable of carrying a story.
He had the square jaw and easy charm of a Hollywood leading man.
The female equivalent is leading lady.
Widely recognized public figure
- marqueeTheater entrance canopy
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- superstarExceptionally famous performer
- megastarExceptionally famous entertainer
heartthrob · sex symbol · idol · showbiz · glamour · fame · limelight · box office
Object of romantic admiration
- loverRomantic intimate
- suitorOne who seeks affection
- beauMale romantic companion
- paramourLover in secret affair
swoon · seductive · courtship · passionate · love interest · amorous · desirable · charmer
Theatrical performer
- performerOne who entertains audiences
- matinee idolHandsome stage or film star
- film starFamous cinema actor
- headlinerTop-billed performer
co-star · cast · ensemble · audition · role · script · lines · dialogue
State of being somewhere
- magnetismForce between poles
- allureAttractive, tempting quality
- appealFormal review request
- captivatingDeeply holding one's attention
commanding · engaging · charming · suave · debonair · confident · self-assured · dynamic
One admired for courage
- centralIn the middle, primary
- arcCurved line segment
- journeyTravel from place to place
- characterNature, symbol, or role
narrative · transformation · motivation · conflict · resolution · sympathetic · relatable · flawed
celebrity
Widely recognized public figure
megastar · heartthrob · sex symbol · idol · showbiz · glamour · fame · limelight · box office · talent
heartthrob
Object of romantic admiration
paramour · swoon · seductive · courtship · passionate · love interest · amorous · desirable · charmer · infatuation
thespian
Theatrical performer
- performerOne who entertains audiences
- matinee idolHandsome stage or film star
- film starFamous cinema actor
headliner · co-star · cast · ensemble · audition · role · script · lines · dialogue · scene
presence
State of being somewhere
captivating · commanding · engaging · charming · suave · debonair · confident · self-assured · dynamic · powerful
hero
One admired for courage
character · narrative · transformation · motivation · conflict · resolution · sympathetic · relatable · flawed · complex
- HollywoodHollywood, Tinseltown, Hollywood Sign, silver screen, movie stars
- celebritiesmovie stars, A-lister, pop stars, superstar, celebrity
- Broadwaymusicals, musical, Tony Award, musical theatre, theaters
- theatreBroadway, acting, theatre, stage, actor
- actorsactor, actors, actresses, film actor, actress
- celebrity typesdiva, heartthrob, icon, bombshell, sex symbol
leading mansupporting actor
Non-lead role performer
extra · bit player · background actor · character actor · walk-on
leading manleading lady
Principal female performer
female lead · prima donna · ingenue · heroine · diva
man, lead, leader, leading, led, leadership, mislead, leads, misleading