For our third installation in this month’s Top Five series, I enlisted the help of a boatload of female friends. They were asked to submit to me their favorite Hollywood Hunks, as many as they liked. I narrowed it to any hunk who earned two votes or more in round one, then the ladies were asked to again pick as many as they liked from the list, the only requirement being that they be absolute gah-gah over the guy – like heart speeding up, uncontrollable grin, weak knee swooning when the hunk’s face (or whatever) comes on the screen. As a result, I give you our version of the Top Five Hollywood Hunks:

#5 – IAN SOMERHALDER**

Rumors began to surface that Ian Somerhalder was being considered for the role of Christian Grey, so I began stalking checking periodically to see if the decision had been made. Then in June it was announced that the Magic Mike guy was confirmed for the role. My teeth have been gritted ever since, but today’s research reveals that alas, a Christian has NOT been named! Ian may or may not be up for the role at this point, but a girl can keep on dreamin’ until the official announcement.

While Ian positively smolders in his role as Damon Salvatore on the CW’s The Vampire Diaries, his best work is in indie films such as The Rules of Attraction and one of my all-time favorite movies Life as a House. (If you have not seen this movie, I beg you to watch it the instance you can get to it.)

As if we needed another reason to clap our hands to our hearts over Ian, he has his own foundation which “…aims to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures.” http://www.isfoundation.com He also founded RYOT which is a pretty cool news website where you can click on an IMPACT button and learn more about issues or donate to worthy causes.

#4 – BRADLEY COOPER

While I enjoy Bradley Cooper, several of my girlfriends are nothing short of giddy for him. In the voting process, most all who mentioned him noted “those eyes.” Named People Magazine’s 2011 Sexiest Man Alive, clearly they aren’t the only ones swooning.

While I know he’s most famous for his roles in Silver Linings Playbook and The Hangover series, I found his work in Limitless to be extraordinary. I was pleasantly surprised with this movie and thought Bradley did an excellent job with the transformation from strung out writer to brilliant businessman. It was one of those movies that left me thinking and working out possibilities in my head for weeks.

Looks like there are already Oscar predictions for the 2014 awards season for his upcoming release American Hustle where he reunites with Silver Linings Playbook co-star Jennifer Lawrence and also stars alongside Christian Bale, who would have made this list had I had my druthers, but that’s enough whining from me…for now.

#3 – JOE MANGANIELLO

I was so excited to see Joe Manganiello make our list! As a True Blood addict, I got on board with Joe two summers ago when his character Alcide appeared trying to win Sookie’s affection (get in line) and transforming into his werewolf alter ego – which of course for us means, lots of skin! And oh how much skin there is. Standing 6’5 and all muscle, when Alcide growls at his werewolf pack members, they cower while us viewers wipe up the drool.

We were also graced with Joe in last summer’s Magic Mike, though I thought he was robbed of precious screen time. Although, the director attempted to make that up to us with that one scene…you know the one. (Channing Tatum on “that scene”) Awh yeah.

Very early speculation and rumors suggest Joe may be in the running for the role of Bruce Wayne in the Superman sequel. If it can’t be Christian Bale (he has said he will not reprise his role, according to the Hollywood Reporter), then Joe, you have my blessing…and my twelve bucks (or whatever the theatres are extorting out of us these days).

#2 – JOSH DUHAMEL

I first came to know Josh Duhamel in the movie Life as We Know It with Katherine Heigl. For about the first ten minutes of watching him on screen I was reduced to a blathering idiot. Who in the hell was this guy? And how was I just now discovering him? He had to be in his late thirties and I had somehow missed his small or big screen presence? How was it possible?

When I was finally able to regain composure I was glued to the television, fixated really. Was it humanly possible for a man to look so perfect without being too pretty? Somehow, he was pulling it off.

My research uncovered that he had been on All My Children in the late nineties and early 2000’s. Ah, that explained some things. I’m convinced soap opera stars are bred in some kind of incubator where only flawless genes and features are allowed, and they are molded and shaped into utter perfection. It all made sense.

I’ve only seen him in that one movie, because, well, my free time is consumed with writing, but I look forward to catching Safe Haven sometime late at night when the husband has gone to bed. He’s supportive of me and will watch just about anything I ask him to, but even he has his limits.

#1 – MARK WAHLBERG

No matter how I shook things up, my #1 Hollywood crush made it to number one on our list. And I didn’t even have to cheat!

No other man alive could fall on stage, pick himself up with blood pouring down his face and somehow seem sexier than when he started, which my man was able to pull off brilliantly in one of my all-time favorite flicks, Rock Star. And although his role in Date Night was ti-niny, that moment when he opens the door to his apartment for Claire and Phil, shirtless and drenched in sweat…do I really need to continue here? (I just you tubed it in the name of “research”. I highly suggest you do the same. Click here, and prepare to salivate.)

While VH1 is not afraid to give the man true credit honoring him with the top spot on their list of Top 40 Hottest Hotties of the 90s, apparently the good folks at People Magazine are. For the name of all that is holy, People Magazine, would you PLEASE come to your senses and give this man the much deserved title of Sexiest Man Alive???!!! Come on! Whatever. We don’t need your validation, People. He’s the reigning King of Hot on this list. That’s all that matters. **indignant pout**

Mark is more than just a handsome face. He oozes masculinity. He’s got swagger comin’ and goin’ but not in that annoying cocky way. And he knows how to laugh at himself (I so enjoyed Ted). And this scene from The Departed (another fantastic flick) is one I’ve hit rewind on probably fifty times. Love him!

I hope you have enjoyed this top five list as much as I loved compiling it – probably not possible, but I hope you liked it nonetheless. I wish to thank all my friends who participated in the survey and for indulging me with multiple emails on the subject. Without you, well, it could have been possible, but wouldn’t have been nearly as fair or as fun!

And finally, I would like to acknowledge my own personal hunk, whose handsomeness, hilarity, and pure male essence are far greater than all the men on this list combined. I love you, Jody Chambers! (Does that make up for this blog post, Sweetie?) J