Oh, Jesus: The Sexiest On-Screen Saviors
By: Gay.com
4.6.2012
When word got out that Jesus would be portrayed as a sexually active being in Martin Scorsese’s 1988 film The Last Temptation of Christ (left), a lot of people became, well…very angry. Protests and boycotts ensued even before the movie opened in theaters. However, some moviegoers viewed Temptation as a unique take on one of history's most important figures by one of cinema’s most respected filmmakers. Shortly after the film was released, the fall of communism, the growing global AIDS crisis and even Vatican outrage over Madonna’s Blond Ambition tour reduced the blaze of controversy surrounding Temptation to a historical footnote.
Still, Scorsese touched on something that most people would rather not say out loud (or even admit to themselves): Jesus is the Brad Pitt of deities. At least that’s how he’s been presented visually for so many centuries. Once Hollywood brought the Savior to the silver screen, Jesus became the hottest leading man of all. And a lot of sexy actors have walked on water in his shoes. So in honor of Easter, we decided to resurrect photos of some of our favorite movie messiahs.
Go below to see the holy hotties.
Cluess Christ: Jeremy Sisto in Jesus (1999)
Lost Lord: Henry Ian Cusick in The Visual Bible: Gospel of John (2003)
Bear on a Cross: Brian Deacon in Jesus (1979)
Searcher Savior: Jeffrey Hunter in The King of Kings (1961)
Method Martyr: Christian Bale in Mary, Mother of Jesus (1999)
Holy Humper: Willem Dafoe in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Neeley of Nazareth: Ted Neeley in Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
Gibson God: Jim Caviezel in The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Marriage Messiah: Jack Black in Prop. 8 – The Musical (2008)
CK One Christ: Joel West in El Discipulo (2010)
Jewfro Jesus: Victor Garber in Godspell (1973)
Comments
Hmmmmmm.............I think I left the iron on.....brb.....
Whoever thought this was funny forgot there are gay christians who do not find this any bit endearing. To cross over the line in this fashion with no respect to people's religious beliefs just makes you wonder whoever wrote this denigrating article lacks any value at all and cannot express any other way other than get on anyone's nerves. Congratulations, the most you got out of this stupidity was a disinterested viewer. And my oh my, I'd rather stick to playgirl. These images to the least made me puke when referenced in a "sexual manner"! Yuck, poor taste!
Maybe for some people it's a relief not to have to think of Jesus as sexual. Everything in our culture is so oversexualized to begin with. It's not just gay men either.
Happy Zombie Jesus day everyone!
Sick and disturbing. Trying showing some respect for other people's beliefs. You have a lot of growing up to do.
Preached love for all? hung around with 12 men? never married? John, whom he loved most of all? said to Mary Magdalene, "You go girl" (okay the last one isn't really in the bible). Get over yourself.
You left out Robert Powell. Woof!
"savior" "hope for tomorrow," for fuck sake, save me from the last comment!
This article has only served to reinforce the negative stereotype of gay men that suggests they are SEX CRAVED monsters! Painting [Jesus] as a sex symbol gives the impression that if He was on earth today, he would be gang-raped by homosexual men - I doubt it very much the intention behind any of the Messiah films cared about sex appeal - So if you failed to see the significance of the film and only focused on the sex-appeal of the actor portraying Jesus, that should be left in your thought. Show respect for others. I am certain you would never dare do this to the Prophet Mohammed, so why do this to Jesus? You might not believe in Him, but for many of us, gay AND straight, He is our Savior and Hope for tomorrow!
Respectfully, I disagree on one point...I DO believe that the makers of Messiah films did care very much about the actor's sex appeal...It sells movie tickets. If the directors and casting agents didn't care, the every actor playing Jesus would be Jewish and from the Middle East.
As a non-religious myself, the historic records of the life and times of Mohammed are clearer than those of christianity. We are hard pressed to believe in a religion that was created by pagans and jewish scholars that then went abroad murdering the orthodox factions that decried the need for priests and scribes as Jesus actually preached. (Do you know that it was legal for any citizen of Rome to murder suspected Christian Gnostics with impunity?) It is easier to believe that Jesus meant what he said that the Kingdom of God is at hand, within each and every one of us. to do onto others, to love thy neighbor than to believe in the golden idols of Rome.
I don't see that this was so bad or portrayed all that negatively. Joe Black and the last one we could do without however. And Jesus was attractive in more ways than one. Jesus and God are left out of so many things it's kinda nice to see a representation of him on here. It's a reminder of the season too.
Plainly this is upsetting, unsettling, disturbing!! Nothing is sacred--I can appreciate pushing the envelope, challenging our beliefs, societal dictates, etc...but this is TRULY too far! Give the Right more gasoline for the fire concerning their view of gays. This should have been left alone....
i not only don't hold the same beliefs, but hold no beliefs and i'm offended that you think yours is the only way to live. these are just men playing a part and from what i remember, none did it all that well.
Some of the comments here are just more good examples of people wanting to tell other people who don’t hold their same beliefs and ideas what is and isn’t appropriate behavior and what are and are not appropriate topics... for everybody.
Get a grip people, not everyone holds the same beliefs as you do; Nor should they.
I agree with you. The goal of the article wasn't meant to personally victimize anyone out there for their beliefs, nor was it their intention to persuade people that their is a single belief to follow.
I posted this on Facebook: I thought it would be nearly sacrilegious to share this on Good Friday until I saw that Jack Black crap in the middle. 'Nuff said. The Jesus I talk/pray to is all fine with all this [except maybe for that Jack Black crap.] LOL!
I'm still looking for the ideal man, Jesus by day, Satan at night.
to be quite honest ive never been sexually attracted to the image of jesus or the men that have portrayed him.
very good jesus thank you
MUZYQMAN also hit the needle on the head. The whitening of the world, unfortunately.
Does anyone notice that NOT ONE of these film portrayers of Jesus looks in any way Semitic (Middle Eastern). Where is the dark hair, swarthy skin and hooked nose of the desert tribes of either Israeli or Arabic descent? All of these actors seem to fit the mold of Jesus as imagined by a European sensibility (light skin, light hair, light eyes, as the beautiful Jeffrey Hunter). Why do movies perpetuate the image of Jesus as a Scandinavian?
Jesus was a jew? OMG!!
In a Squidbillies episode He was a squid. There's a story of Him speaking and everyone hearing it in their language. Maybe He looked different to everyone. The Po Po had to get Judas to ID him, even though He had been all over town in public many times.
I find it amazing that so many people get threatened and upset that Christ was a man...and like a man had sexual urges like all of us. Come on Christians...sober up and get real. Sex is good for the soul! A sex life was also good for Jesus...Mary Magadelene was pretty hot...and what was up with all those guys hanging around him?
Then why in the Hell are you posting on this site. WTF is that all about. Get over yourselves...
How vulgar. This isn't even couched in some aspect of learning the transition(s) of Jesus Christ in the history of film. You know: educational.
This is just plain ol' vulgar. I'm surprised you didn't rate the "bulge" each actor revealed whilst hanging on the cross. Excuse me: while nailed to the cross.
The worst enemy of the gay crowd is the gay crowd with a laptop and a "forum."
Give me some of that jesus right up my butt. Come on ram it in there Jesus. Right up my butt! Argentina's first lady deserves it!!!
Didn't you all hear? They cancelled Easter!!
They found the body.
the eyes of Jeffery Hunter freak me out. i didn´t know jesus was caucasian, i mean, he was born in the mediterranean right? ... did he speak perfect english too?
I see the christianists are out in force today.
I agree with Bishop Robert, M. DIV. I'm a gay man AND a Christian...they are not mutually exclusive. Please be respectful of other's beliefs especially when we want others to respect ours.
Did I miss the one in the Smashin' Thrashin' Bashin' Mashin' Gashin' Lashin' Cash-In of the Christ?
el mejor de todo Jeremy Sisto
Ya, well to bad the real Jesus was 5'6" dark round head, bad skin , curly haired n looked like any other guy around .
This article very offensive and in poor taste. Very disrespectful. Shame on you.
Jeffery Hunter was the BEST!!
I had heard of a phenomenon among nuns who develop a strong physical and emotional attraction to Jesus, and that goes well beyond simple faith in him.
Jesus has a lot of positive qualities, including physical beauty that would attract many, regardless of sexual orientation.
I find him pretty hot, and I''m as a heterosexual, athiest woman.
However, I also can understand where sexualizing Jesus would be offensive to many, not just Christian.
Oh come on people, get a sense of humour! This article isn't disrespectful towards Christianity, it's a bit of fun surrounding a group of actors who happen to have playing Jesus in common. Christian or not, we can appreciate this without representing ourselves as depraved / oversexed.
What about Graham Chapman in "The Life of Brian"? Doesn't he count? He even has a moment of full-frontal nudity...
Will undoubtedly carbon date myself here but I think Max von Sydow. These others cannot hold a candle to him for looks or performance.
The only thing that I see that could be negatively construed is the title of the article and the lines describing the photos. I was raised a Christian and today consider myself an agnostic. I don't know if Jesus was the son of God or whether he was sexual or not. I really don't care. I have friends who are devout Christians and Pagans and I respect that. The prior comments remind me of the Muslim outrage after the cartoon drawings that negatively show the prophet Mohammed (sorry if it's spelled wrong. No disrespect intended). You do have the right to be outraged but so does the writer have the right to print this article. We need to begin to treat each other with respect without regard to our religious/spiritual beliefs and practices. The article itself is not a bash of Christianity but a discussion of the many faces of Jesus in the movies. I went to see The Last Temptation of Christ when it was in the theaters in the mid 80's and passed through the picket lines to get in the theaters. The main reason that I went was that the local Christian churches made such a big deal about it and I wanted to see what it was all about. If they hadn't made such a big deal then I wouldn't have gone. Our reaction to behaviors or attitudes that we find offensive or wrong can create the opposite effect of our goal. Which it did.
Who's running the show on this site? It's already offensive enough that during Easter, of all weeks, you give us this. But that there is no relevant content, is insulting. And "Hello?" Victor Garber? I had no idea. Is it even mentioned- this, the month of the return of Titanic? You guys are either way too yoiung, way too old, or way too high. Have some respect. Many gay men actually try and lead they're lives in a Christ-like way. Especially when they have no positive gay examples to emulate. No heros. No one to speak for them.
Is it any wonder freaks like NOM bite into this like a pit-bull and raw meat? I'm surprised you didn't have a pornstar v Jesus look-alike contest. Oh God.
Hey, all of you Christian freaks saying people have to "respect beliefs". No, we do not. This is a free country with separation of church and state. We do not have to respect your beliefs any more than we have to respect the Taliban. Gay and Christian? How about Jew and Nazi? Shove it.
this is beyond sick..... it is deprived. Don't do this again!
Listen people. y'all take things to seriously. Sure, Christian Bale played Jesu so hot he almost melted the Television set in San Antonio,TX and Judy Cornwell of "Keeping Up Appearences's " Daisy, Played the Innkeeper's Wife in Bethlehem, but we shouldn't go up in arms about things that are so trivial that we should focus on wheather or not we'll all still be here when December 21, 2012 rolls around after the Mayan Calender stops rolling Along. I can understand what you all is saying but can't we all just Be. In other words Just Have A Happy Easter and love the ones you're with!!!!
He was Bwian, not Jesus!
I can not believe you would post an article like this. Do you think gay people are that sex crazy that now we want to see sexy Jesus. It makes me sick to even type his name in here. All your ads feature young hot guys (eye candy) they are annoying and now this.
Post new comment