These 7 Guys Are Nerds AND Sex Symbols

While famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson is 55 and happily married (with two teenage children), he's apparently become something of a sex symbol, proving once again that smart is sexy. He recently told People of his heartthrob status. "It started about 14 years and 25 pounds ago...I say, whatever gets people interested in the universe! I'm happy to serve as a conduit to the cosmos." Tyson isn't the only unconventional man hunk getting nerdy girls all hot and bothered. Here are some more of today's most unexpected, yet totally irresistible nerd sex symbols.

1. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON

Where better to start than with this brilliant, completely adorable astrophysicist? Tyson, the new host of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, is renowned for his cosmology research, several books, the PBS series NOVA ScienceNow, and his winning smile."When you tell people something that's intellectually delectable, they can feel sensually towards it," Tyson told People magazine in an interview. "But I think at the end of the day, the object of their affection is the universe."

2. BILL NYE

Nye's chiseled face and funky bow-ties make him an obvious nerd sex symbol. And it certainly doesn't hurt that he's absurdly smart and an all-around bad ass. The program Bill Nye The Science Guy successfully tricked a generation of children, myself included, into thinking science was pretty cool. And nothing turns me on more than a systematic take-down of global warming deniers.

3. DAVID TENANT

It takes a real sexpot to play one of the creepiest movie roles of all time (Barty Crouch Jr. in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) and still be effortlessly attractive. Some nerds know the Scottish actor best for his role as the Doctor in Doctor Who, beginning in 2005. But he hasn't let his success get to his head; he's a total sweetheart. He recently sent a birthday card to a girl in North Wales who couldn't afford to have a party.

4. JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT

Look at that face. No further comments.

5. WIL WHEATON

I'm not a Trekkie. But Trekkies and non-Trekkies alike can appreciate the adorable Wil Wheaton, who is best known for his role as Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation. To round out his total nerd appeal, he frequently appears on The Big Bang Theory as a fictionalized version of himself. Wheaton has also done a huge amount of voice acting for cartoons and, in true nerd form, video games.

6. JOE BIDEN

This is a no-brainer choice for hardcore political nerds. There is no one suaver, more passionate, or more sexily-well-versed on the issues than Joe Robinette Biden. (Yes, his middle name is Robinette, and we should definitely talk about that more.) Some know him best for being the vice president, others know him for being Leslie Knope's dream man on Parks and Recreation. If his winning, often-goofy smile doesn't turn you on, then you have a cold, cold heart.

7. DANNY PUDI

Best known for portraying the lovable-yet-socially-inept genius Abed on Community, Danny Pudi's is one of TV's most unexpected heartthrobs thanks to his comedic chops and piercing, dark eyes. Not that he's anywhere near is nerdy as his character Abed. When he studied at Marquette University, he was known as Study Poison because he always disrupted his friends' sessions at the library. "I’d rather get together with a group of friends, hang out, drink Coca-Cola, watch movies, play games or whatever than sit there and look at textbooks," he told Marquette Magazine.

Long live the sexy nerd!