matinee idol
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Even better, he has used his beauty not to become a matinee idol but to unsettle and surprise us, portraying characters whose handsomeness is very much the point but not the whole story.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 5, 2026
Olivier, who was playing Archie Rice, was at the peak of his acting career and considered something of a matinee idol.
From BBC ● Jan. 17, 2025
Everyone knows that his cultivated image of a wealthy playboy who wined and dined beautiful women like he was some kind of matinee idol is another one of his lies.
From Salon ● May 10, 2024
Indeed, Sessa has the appeal of an actor from that earlier era, when performers made their names with presence, chops and attitude more than matinee idol looks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2023
He's no matinee idol for looks; maybe you wouldn't even call him good looking.
From The Brown Study by Grace S. (Grace Smith) Richmond
