Growing up we all had celebrity crushes that made our friends and parents worry. Or at least that's what I tell myself to feel better about my more unusual childhood crushes. The characters of my affection, many times, were either the most unexpected of the group or animated. Oh well, here's to my childhood crushes!
1. The guy from "National Treasure" that isn't Nicolas Cage.
So no one really knew his name, but he was still a cutie just the same. Justin Bartha was just Nicolas Cage's sidekick. A little nerdy and whiny, he still managed to grab my young heart.
2. Ralph Macchio
His most popular role is from the "Karate Kid." This is him as Johnny Cade in "The Outsiders."Who doesn't love a 1950s greaser/gang member? He was a sensitive little thing, but with a bad boy side. I have grown out of the "bad boy" stage — Mom!
3. Tarzan
I should have seen the signs. I still love a man with pecs and dreads. And that bark that he speaks to gorillas in? Sounds a little like Rick Ross to me, but I wanna learn it.
4. Mark Ruffalo
The "13 Going on 30" star was good enough for Jennifer Garner, why not childhood me? He also makes a mean Hulk. And that monotone voice wasn't so bad.
5. Gerard Butler as The Phantom
I discovered "The Phantom of the Opera" when I was 9 years old, and I have been a fanatic ever since, including my crush on the pro/antagonist. Look at that slicked back hair and those endearing eyes and a voice like butter. Maybe we'll stick with the mask.
6. Jim Hawkins
That haircut was fire before 2015, thanks, Jim. But apparently my younger self had better taste in men than I thought. Guess who the voice of Jim Hawkins was? None other than Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Trust your old crushes, ladies and gentlemen, they may lead you to a current celebrity crush.
7. Froy from "Operation Repo"
Yeah. The facial hair, the stocky frame and the do-rag was a good combination for me. Not gonna lie, I'm still into him.
8. Bryan and Dustin from B5
What 10-year-old wouldn't love that face?
Go ahead and pop that collar Dustin.
These kids were not only famous for their song "Getcha Head In The Game" for "High School Musical," but they were also one of the hottest yet shortest-lived mini boybands. B5 was an almost Jackson 5, but not nearly as successful. They still have my elementary school years.
9. Arvie Lowe Jr. as Mr. Dig in "Lizzie McGuire"
I've never had a major crush on one of my professors, but if I was in "Lizzie McGuire," I would. Mr. Dig was the coolest teacher out of all of the strange people in that school. With his baby dreads and his glasses, he was a cutie for sure, but let's not forget about how smart he was and all the advice he would give to the gang. What a doll.
10. Vin Diesel
"The Pacifier" star stole my heart when he saved all those kids from evil thieves. A military man and a babysitter, he learned how to love children and still kick butt. It also doesn't hurt that his shirts were a little too tight or his muscles were a little too big.