What Makes Joseph Gordon-Levitt So Damn Crush-Worthy?

A lot of actors claim to be feminists but Joseph Gordon-Levitt, vocal about his feminist beliefs, was raised in a very pro-feminist home. His respect for women often comes through in his repartee with his leading ladies.

His unconventional good looks help to set Gordon-Levitt apart from the pack of stereotypical leading men. His adorable baby face and his soulful dark eyes enhance his inner charm.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt thinks of himself as more of an actor than a celebrity, doing many low-key but compelling projects over the years. He has impressed audiences with his talent and range as an actor.

One of the best things Gordon-Levitt has going for him as a leading man is his sensitivity. Don Jon co-star Julianne Moore says: "He is not an emotional lightweight by any stretch of the imagination..."

Dark Knight Rises director Christopher Nolan was struck by the actor's "youthful energy" when they met, something that also comes across on screen. Nolan said: "He has tremendous charisma and that incredible kind of positivity that can't be faked."

When Gordon dresses up, which is more often than most young actors, he projects suave, sophistication in his stylish suits, reminiscent of classic Hollywood glamour. But he also has fun with his wardrobe, often adding whimsical touches.

Instead of single-mindedly chasing fame and fortune, he's more concerned about his art. Out observes that the wide arc of the actor's adult career has been "fueled by his restless quest for authenticity and connection".

Joseph Gordon-Levitt credits his hippie activist parents with instilling the feeling in him that "...we're part of the world, and that that's important—that we're all connected and everyone's well-being is tied to each other."

Although he did not graduate, Gordon-Levitt did spend three years at Columbia University, studying such impressive and romantic subjects as French literature, which has probably benefited him in his screenwriting endeavors.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt's characters tend to be well drawn. He explained to the New Jersey Star-Ledger what he looks for in a character: "I'm attracted to characters who feel like real human beings, not stereotypes, or plot points."

In addition to being a successful actor and filmmaker, Gordon-Levitt also has a gift for music. He sings and plays the guitar, and wowed everyone with his lip sync battle on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

In 2010 Joseph Gordon-Levitt and his late brother, Dan, started the innovative collaborative production company hitRECord.org, which has given a creative platform to writers, musicians and illustrators around the world, and has now spawned a TV series.

When Joseph Gordon-Levitt returned to acting after his sabbatical, he was determined to do movies that meant something to him. Serious about his art, he turned down high profile projects and reinvented himself with critically acclaimed indie films. In February 2016, he was honored by Harvard's Hasty Pudding Theatricals as the recipient of their 2016 Man of the Year award.

He always seems to be looking for ways to challenge himself as an actor, from playing the lovelorn Tom in 500 Days of Summer, to tightrope legend Philippe Petit in The Walk, to a bike messenger in Premium Rush.

The popular actor is now also a feature writer/director, having written the screenplay for 2013's Don Jon and directed the movie. He has also written and directed episodes of his series HitRECord on TV.

While we all love qualities like emotional depth and sensitivity in a leading man, we're not completley above pointing out his best physical characteristics. Joseph Gordon-Levitt's muscular forearms have become one of his most recognizable features.

Gordon-Levitt is often described as charismatic, and for good reason. Although his appeal is less flashy than many actors, he definitely has that certain something that draws moviegoers to his on-screen presence.

His grandfather, Michael Gordon, was a director during the golden age of Hollywood, helming popular movies like Pillow Talk. HIs show business roots are likely one reason Gordon-Levitt always seems like such a pro.

Always charming, he's cultivated his natural appeal over the years, developing a certain sophisticated, intellectual wit, to go along with his natural warmth and lovability.

We've seen Gordon-Levitt play a wide range of characters over the years, but none quite like the controversial whistleblower Edward Snowden in the new biographical drama Snowden, which helps establish the actor as a serious leading man.