It's Hot to Be a Nerd

The term "Nerd" carries with it an array of negative stereotypes and connotations, but I've never understood why. Hollywood loves to glamorize the so-called "beautiful" people - those who look great on the outside but lack all the inner qualities that make someone truly beautiful.

But who says you can't be smart AND beautiful? I've put together a list of who I think are the 10 Hottest Nerds from the past 10 years.

Drum roll please....

10. David Krumholtz (Charlie Eppes, Numb3rs)

I've never been a wiz at math, but it's hard to not love this mathematical genius who consults for the FBI on the CBS hit show Numb3rs. I don't always understand what he's doing or what he's talking about when he uses complex mathematical equations to help solve crimes, but I don't really need to. Numb3rs doesn't just offer up an adorable nerd, but weekly storylines that keep you guessing and high-quality programming centered around teamwork and family. With all the garbage on television today, Numb3rs is a rare gem.

9. Steve Zahn

I first came across Steve Zahn in the film Reality Bites, where he quickly captured my attention with his quirky sense of humor. Since then he's made me laugh in That Thing You Do, You've Got Mail and Joy Ride, while also trying his hand at more serious roles in Shattered Glass and Rescue Dawn. He's always fun to watch, even when the film is a dud (i.e., Night Train). He's typically typecast as a sidekick of some sort, and always offers up comic relief. How can you not love a nerd who is able to make you laugh and feel good? Oh, and he's pretty cute too.

8. Adam Brody (Seth Cohen, the O.C.)

I've never been a fan of teen soap operas. I couldn't tolerate the original Beverly Hills 90210 or Melrose Place, and I don't care for the Gilmore Girls or Gossip Girl. But somehow, I got hooked on Fox hit show, the O.C. while in college. For my friend and me, it was a permanent staple in our weekly schedule, and a nice way to get away from studying and homework. The O.C. was one of those shows were I enjoyed the entire cast, but there was just something about nerdy Seth Cohen that caught my attention. He was funny, sweet, kind, and had such a big heart for his family and friends. And it's hard not love a guy who creates his own holiday known as Chrismukkah (a way to celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah).

7. Kari Byron, MythBusters

Female nerds unite! Yes, female nerds do exist and if you ask me, they're way cool! On Mythbusters, Byron tests the plausibility of various myths with fellow cast members Jamie Hyneman, Adam Savage, Tory Belleci, Grant Imahara, and others. Math isn't the only school subject I was never good at. Science was the other one. And yet I get a kick out of watching Kari and company use scientific experiments to test various myths, movie scenes, internet videos and rumors that are popular in our culture. In Kari's first episode the team busted the myth that an obese person can get stuck on an airline vacuum toilet. Who says nerds are lame?

6. Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker in Spider-Man

I'll admit, I'm not a huge fan of comic books or movies based on comic books, but there are always exceptions. Spider-Man is one of them. It's hard not to love Peter Parker, the nerdy high school student and freelance photographer who gets bitten by a spider while on a field trip and becomes the famous superhero. Peter may get bullied by the "cool" kids in school but nobody is laughing when Spider-Man comes along and teaches them a little lesson. But of course, Spider-Man isn't all about getting back at the school bullies. He's way too busy fighting crime and saving New York City. Peter Parker is a crime-saving nerd I'm not ashamed to love.

5. America Ferrera as Ugly Betty

I was apprehensive when this show first aired because I didn't want to watch one episode after another about how "ugly" the lead character is. Women have enough self-esteem problems already. We don't need a weekly show where being ugly is constantly made fun of. I am so glad I was wrong! Betty Suarez may not be what society would call beautiful, but she is funny, smart, independent, courageous, and strong...and in my opinion, she isn't so "ugly on the outside either. She loves her family, her friends, and her work, and she is constantly saving the day. Sure, she can be quite naïve at times, but who isn't? And she may lack fashion sense, but that's what makes her so loveable. How can you not love a young woman who is so comfortable in her own skin that she doesn't feel the need to try to look and dress like everyone else, even though she works at a fashion magazine? Go Betty go!

4. Tina Fey

While Tina Fey had already made a name for herself in the world of comedy when she starred on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, her most talked-about role happened in 2008, when she came back to SNL to perform a series of parodies in which she mimicked Republican Vice-Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin. Regardless of your political views, you've got to admit that Fey resembled Palin almost perfectly, and it was a nice comic relief from the real world of political nastiness. In one SNL skit she joined Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton, which would go on to become NBC.com's most-watched viral video ever (almost 6 million views). Tina Fey proves that female nerds can be just as funny as their male counterparts.

3. Clay Aiken

There was a time in my life when this guy probably would have taken the #1 spot. While I never considered myself a Claymate, I was definitely a die hard fan, and even had the opportunity to meet him backstage for a bit. In 2002 Aiken shockingly came in second on American Idol, but went on to take the pop music world by storm when his multi-platinum debut album "Measure of a Man" was released in October 2003. There wasn't much you couldn't like about the guy. He started his own foundation to help those with special needs and even became an Ambassador for UNICEF. His music was (and still is) clean, upbeat, and uplifting. No wonder it seemed like everyone from 8-year-olds to grandmothers loved this guy! Controversies aside (and there were plenty of them!), Aiken was the first contestant on Idol to prove that you don't have to win to be successful. While my love for him isn't nearly what it was before, and I found his last album to be pretty lackluster, I have to have him on this list because he proved to Simon Cowell and the rest of the music industry that you don't have to look the part of a pop star to become a pop star.

2. Ben Stiller

As with Steve Zahn, I first came to know Ben Stiller via Reality Bites, a film he also directed. Stiller made me laugh out loud as the "serious" executive in love with the same woman (Winona Ryder) as coffeehouse guitarist Ethan Hawke. Even with Zoolander, one of the dumbest movies ever, Stiller makes you laugh till you cry. His characters aren't just funny; they're also heart-warming and sweet. Thanks to some of his big hits, including Night at the Museum and Meet the Parents, Stiller has been able to share his comic genius and charm with wider audiences, and I hope they appreciate him as much as I do.

1. Masi Oka as Hiro on Heroes

From the very first moment I saw Hiro Nakamura on the hit NBC science-fiction show Heroes, I was a fan. As the show begins, Hiro is an office worker bored with his job who tries to escape the monotony of his life through his love of fantasy. It's not long before he discovers that he can stop time and teleport. Along with his friend Ando (who's not as easily convinced that Hiro has special powers, let alone a special purpose), Hiro Nakamura goes on a journey to fix past mistakes as he tries to save the world. Hiro may be a fictional nerd, but Masi Oka is not. As a 12-year-old, he was featured on the cover of Time Magazine in piece titled, "Those Asian-American Whiz Kids" and in 1988 he placed fourth in the California state MATHCOUNTS competition. Masi Oka and his superhero alter-ego are two of the hottest nerds of the last ten years.

After reading my list, maybe you agree with me, maybe you don't, but I hope you at least walk away with a new-found appreciation for all things nerdy and wonderful.